Featuring future Big Dipper member Bill Goffrie, throughout their existence, the Embarrassment were dogged by the question of what sort of band they were. Punk? New Wave? College Rock? While they certainly were not punk in the urban or media sense, there was a rawness to their material, and this comp, first released in 1995, goes a long way in shedding some light on punk rock's influence in America's heartland. Disc 2 features unreleased or cassette-only tracks.

While it would be a stretch to refer to the Embarrassment as obscure (at least here), it does seem that they are often either taken for granted or flat out forgotten about. Recently their name has been surfacing in reference to the fantastic Big Dipper Supercluster reissue, as following the break up of the Embarrassment, Bill Goffrier would finish up the '80s playing in Big Dipper, enjoying a bit more attention than his previous group (but not much).

Throughout their existence, the Embarrassment were dogged by the question of what sort of band they were. Punk? New Wave? College Rock? (Indie rock was still years away from being a tag anyone would use). While they certainly were not punk in the urban or media sense, there was a rawness to their material that can still endear them to the Killed By Death set, and at the same time their songs are equally appealing to indie rockers the world over. It's a lot like how the first Feelies album functions. Anyway, this comp, originally released in 1995, goes a long way in shedding some light on what punk rock meant and the effects that it had in the heartland (Kansas specifically) of America.

To open the first disc with the crunching guitars and killer hook of "Sex Drive" is a smart move (it was originally the b-side of their debut 7") as it is one of the best songs of the American punk, independent, whatever era. Then it is straight into the second EP with the after-the-fact hits "Celebrity Art Party" and "I'm A Don Juan." That is quickly followed by the Death Travels West EP and side two of the full-length album. Disc two, dubbed The Scarcities, is what really elevates this comp to must-have status, featuring tons of live and studio material that is either unreleased or was only released on cassette (including the bands own Retropective, Fresh Sounds from Middle America Vol 1. and two songs from early Sub Pop tape comps). Super-duper stuff.

-Dave Martin (April 25, 2009)