Whereas future Verve masterpieces and would feature succinct song structures (for the most part) and instantly memorable verses and choruses, the group's 1993 full-length debut, , was based on buoyant, extended psychedelic passages. Looking back today, it was an interesting and original musical direction, since at the time, angst-ridden Seattle bands (and their many copycats) were all the rage. While a few songs hint at 's future penchant for composing pop gems ( ), many of the longer tracks are just as strong, especially the album's best track, the hauntingly beautiful Also featured was the album-opening space rocker the shifting moods of the misty and the stark closer, A fine debut, proved to be the important connection between 's expansive early work (1992's self-titled EP) and their later worldwide pop hits. ~ Greg Prato