Jawbox formed in 1989 after bassist J.Robbins left Government Issue and liked up w/ Adam Wade and Kim Coletta. The group went through a few lineup changes but remained one of the standout acts in the fertile D.C. scene, and For Your Own Special Sweetheart is its major label full-length (Jawbox infamously left Dischord to sign with Atlantic—cue indie purists still groaning). This move did not alter the band's attitude or sound (most of the materials were written before the label change), and Sweetheart, assisted by producer Ted Niceley (Fugazi, Shudder To Think), remains one of the best albums to come out of the '90s post-hardcore pool. The big hit from the LP (probably the band's biggest song as well) is "Savory," but also check out "Cooling Card," "Motorist," "Green Glass," and "Breathe."

• remastered
• music label: DeSoto Records 1994 / 2009

reviewed by nakaveli 10/2017