Wild Seeds
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Austin, Texas , United States |
| Products | Music albums and EPs |
Wild Seeds is a roots-rock group originating from Austin, Texas, established in 1984. Fronted by singer and guitarist Michael Hall, their sound drew influence from post-punk bands such as the Fleshtones and Dream Syndicate. Although the band dissolved in 1989, they have reunited sporadically since. During the 1980s, Wild Seeds were associated with the New Sincerity scene, alongside contemporaries like the Dharma Bums, True Believers, and Zeitgeist.
Critical reception
David Menconi of No Depression referred to Wild Seeds as "one of the most distinctive bands to emerge from Austin in the mid-1980s," complimenting their 2001 anthology I'm Sorry, I Can't Rock You All Night Long: 1984-1989 as "an exceptionally enjoyable experience, akin to a festive meal paired with a case of Big Red." Critic Robert Christgau observed that their 1984 EP Life is Grand featured a dynamic drummer and a diverse musical approach, proposing that their identity could become more defined through compelling live shows. He later assigned a B rating to their 1988 release Mud, Lies & Shame, singling out the track "I'm Sorry, I Can't Rock You All Night Long" as a memorable classic. The Billboard review characterized their 1986 album Brave, Clean + Reverent as a "sharp collection of straightforward anthems." Tom Popson from the Chicago Tribune lauded Hall's songwriting on this record for its vivid descriptive quality combined with room for personal interpretation.
Discography
- Life Is Grand (Life in Soul City) (Aznut EP, 1984)
- Brave, Clean + Reverent (Jungle, 1986)
- Mud, Lies & Shame (Passport, 1988)
- I'm Sorry, I Can't Rock You All Night Long: 1984-1989 (Aznut compilation, 2001)