The Dirt of Luck 1995 Album

Helium

On the one hand, it is undeniable that this disc is an improvement over Pirate Prude, both technically and artistically. The addition of Ash Bowie as a full-time member of the group played a big role, allowing Timony more focus in her approach. On the other hand, it is also undeniable that what is presented here is a glossier, more professional version of the jumbled, grumbly mess that was the debut EP. If you were a big fan of that product, then you will like what you hear on this album. I find the second half of the disc to be more interesting, thanks to “Superball”, which to me was Helium’s best single, bar none, along with a couple of ballad-style tracks which are decent (“Honeycomb”, “Oh the Wind and the Rain”). Whatever the case, this CD is Helium’s “alt-rock” disc (in a rough sense), because soon after this, the group would start moving away from their indie rock roots, into even weirder realms.