Are You Driving Me Crazy?
The year was 1995 and Seam released an album ahead of its time.
Before Slowcore was a fully established subgenre, one band that emotionally stood out, at least in my world, was Seam. They released their third full-length album, Are You Driving Me Crazy?, in 1995 on Touch and Go Records. The album quietly carved out a space for those who liked their guitars loud, tempos slow, and lyrics a bit uncertain, with a touch of drama. It’s a record that never gained mainstream popularity, but it’s improved with age and still sounds great to me. It’s matured gracefully, unlike my Seam t-shirt that faded away after years of wear... In my world, Seam was one of top bands in that mid 90’s era, along with Polo, Slint, Fugazi, Karate, Archers of Loaf, and Yo La Tengo to name a few CDs that floated around the backseat of my Volkswagen Fox.
This 90s “nostalgic” album was produced by Brad Wood, who also helped engineer the debut Tortoise album and has produced music for notable artists such as Codeine, Smashing Pumpkins, Sunny Day Real Estate, Liz Phair, and more. Wood began his music career as a member of the late 80’s and early 90’s band Shrimpboat. Being a drummer, most of his production work accentuates the snare sound, including this album, which I unquestionably love.
Seam was formed in late 1991 and fronted by Sooyoung Park, formerly of Bitch Magnet. The band quickly established a reputation for crafting moody, minimalist, and emotionally charged music that bridged the genres of indie rock, slowcore/emo, and post-hardcore. With Are You Driving Me Crazy?, they found their most balanced sound. It’s a bit tighter than The Problem with Me, and more direct, but still has its spacious moments. Guitars get loud, they hum and ring out, and the drums push forward with Park’s vocals remaining just out of reach and feeling at home throughout the entire album. I love the sound of the snare on this whole record (thanks to producer Brad Wood).
The songs here don’t build to big endings. Instead, they simmer. “Berlitz,” “Port of Charleston,” and “Tuff Luck” are three beautifully written and produced tracks, but “Sometimes I Forget,” which clocks in over six minutes, is their version of a rock ballad and an absolutely gorgeous song. There’s a patience to the way Seam lets songs unfold, and their execution makes everything hit harder.
Touch and Go Records was a perfect home for this album. At the time, the label was known for loud, more aggressive-sounding acts, such as Shellac, The Jesus Lizard, and Brainiac. Seam felt like the introverted sibling—still intense, but more in the vein of Slint, June of 44, or Don Caballero. Their work never got the same fanfare, but it held up. It still does.
If you were a '90s college radio nerd or the type to dig through all the records and CDs at your local record store looking for something new to feel, there’s a good chance Seam was already on your radar. If not, Are You Driving Me Crazy? is definitely worth a visit. It’s the sound of driving home slowly in the rain, after everyone else has left the party, headlights catching just enough of the road ahead. I guess by definition, it’s now classic rock? Turn it up.
👀 Original vinyl copies on Discogs are not cheap.
Playlist
Here’s a ’90s playlist of artists from Touch and Go Records.
Until next time, thanks again for reading. 🤟
