Often shortened to Shmap'n Shmazz, this is 's first and only full-length, originally released in 1995 on Man With Gun Records. Tim Kinsella, Mike Kinsella, Victor Villarreal, Sam Zurick, and Davey von Bohlen were just teenagers then, and as they would go on to join/form various emo institutions - , , Joan of Arc, Owls, Owen and more - the album's influence can not be overstated. The sound leans toward punk with Tim Kinsella's screaming vocals unleashing the emotions, and the arrangement are noisy and scrappy but somehow also tight, perhaps the youthful energy acting as a common thread to give the 12-tracker coherence. It's brilliant stuff really, from the angst-ridden "Oh Messy Life" to other standout cuts "Basil's Kite," "Little League," and "Puddle Splashers." The record has been out of print 30 years (but was anthologized with other material on ), and this Polyvinyl reissue version features the original artwork as well as the 12-song tracklist.
- influential midwest emo band's 1995 debut, first time on vinyl in 30 years w/ original artwork tracklist
- white colored vinyl
- remastered audio
- limited edition
- original release year: 1995
- music label: Polyvinyl 2025