Seam

Formed after the breakup of noisemakers Bitch Magnet, Seam debuted in '92 with Headsparks (with drumming by Superchunk's Mac McCaughan). It immediately laid the blueprint for their sound, which has always been reliant upon droning guitars, subtle beauty, and loud, exacting crescendoes. Their '93 effort The Problem With Me is often considered their finest hour. It's full of tight, melodic moments that manage to evoke an emotional response from the music's dramatic intensity and subsequent release into a softer prettier world. Soo Young Park's vocals always lingered back in the mix like a whispered conversation at a more cacophonous party. The emphasis has never really been on songwriting, but more on lengthy guitar tensions and gliding hooks. Seam's latest release, The Pace is Glacial sees them continuing down their affecting, beauteous path.