Far removed from the primitivism of the band's early work, III marks a pivotal moment in Sebadoh's creative evolution. The first full-length record to feature Jason Loewenstein, it's a radically diverse affair, offering vastly improved production and a newly discovered dedication to focused, controlled songcraft; though no two cuts sound even remotely similar, taken as a whole the album is a surpringly cohesive affair. Among the highlights — and with 23 songs, there are many — are "The Freed Pig" (Lou Barlow's vicious swipe at former Dinosaur Jr. bandmate J. Mascis), Eric Gaffney's ominously jaunty "Violet Execution," and Barlow's tongue-in-cheek ode to sexual confusion, "Hassle." — Jason Ankeny
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