Idaho is like a chilled out, jazzy, slightly more eccentric sounding Dinosaur Jr. Similar vox, similar guitar-oriented sound, a penchant for writing soaring choruses, etc. However, where J tends to fill the empty space by shredding a solo or two, Jeff Martin is more inclined to let go a bit, letting squalls of well-controlled feedback and reverb emanate in and out of the mix (that’s not to say he can’t rip it if needed, see 2:36 of “Shame”).

The fourth track, “Shame,” is one of those songs I somehow missed the first 10 times I listened to this album. It starts slow, but the chorus practically comes out of no where and turns the track into an incredibly catchy pop song. Then comes “Stare At The Sky”, which I think has one of the most beautifully written arrangements. A ride cymbal sets up a steady cadence, while feedback and lead guitars carry Martin’s vocals from verse to verse, stopping at times to let the melody expand into a pretty little instrumental chorus. Honestly, the entire album, Three Sheets To The Wind (1996), is worth getting into — really really great stuff.