Seaweed’s self-titled debut is a raw snapshot of early ’90s Pacific Northwest punk. It captures the urgency of the era, blending melodic sensibilities with a chaotic, almost reckless energy. Seaweed didn’t fit neatly into grunge or hardcore, carving out a space where distortion met hooks head-on.
The album’s opener, “Inside,” sets the tone with a riff-heavy barrage that balances aggression and melody, while “Just a Smirk” showcases Aaron Stauffer’s distinctive, strained vocals, a perfect counterpoint to the band’s driving instrumentation. Producer Jack Endino, a key figure in the Seattle sound, keeps the edges frayed and the mix punchy.
Seaweed’s influences range from Hüsker Dü’s melodic punk to the ferocity of Black Flag, but their sound feels uniquely their own. Bands like Hot Water Music and Jawbreaker would later echo the combination of grit and heart found here.
The debut stands as a formative moment for Seaweed and a hidden gem in Sub Pop’s storied catalog, bridging punk’s rawness with a hint of emo’s introspection.
Sterling Mosh 
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