The Dead C, Eusa Kills (side A)

The Dead C have developed such a refined and recognizable style that it's hard to imagine them as a young band seeking an identity.  In 1989, when they released Eusa Kills, the Dead C were far removed from the style with which they're associated today.  "Bad Politics" is a memorable classic from 1988's The Sun Stabbed EP.  "Bad Politics" features some recognizable traits of the group, like a heavily distorted guitar sound and vocals that are more spoken than sung, but it's also one of the group's most conventionally-structured songs, with consistent vocal melodies and clearly recognizable verses and choruses.  Eusa Kills backs off of the distortion a bit, which feels like a step away from the band's mature sound.  While vocals still are a focal element, they're now being used to move away from conventional verses and choruses, and into gradually more abstract structures.  While "Phantom Power" is friendly and engaging compared to later Dead C music, its six-plus minute duration explores structural experiments that would quickly grow central to the band's style.  The primitive recording quality is another trait that has remained consistent through the Dead C's 25 years of evolution, and the murky cover photo and coarse design hint at the more iconic images for which they're best remembered.