Review Summary: A truly important step for both Moss Icon and the early emo movement.
The Maryland-based punk quartet Moss Icon are often considered as one of the most influential early 90s emo bands. While the mid-80s acts
Rites of Spring and
Embrace created what would be later called emo, Moss Icon paved the way for the 90s 2nd wave movement with their less traditional style of hardcore punk. The band is probably best known for their 1994 classic
Lyburnum Wits End Liberation Fly but it was already in the late 80s when Moss Icon showed their undeniable talent.
Hate in Me (also known as
Greta Garbo after the woman in the album cover) is an extremely vicious and hard-hitting debut 7".
Being their debut 7",
Hate in Me shows Moss Icon at their rawest and most clearly influenced by the likes of Rites of Spring. However, the young punkers were already able to stand out from their comtemporaries with their peculiar loud/quiet transitions and raging emotionality. This is most easily noticeable on the album highlight "I'm Back Sleeping or ***ing or Something." The song features an easily recognizable bass riff, Jonathan Vance's anger-filled shouting and nostalgic lyrics, making it an early emo classic and a real chill-inducing experience. The raw production only adds to its cold and dark mood. The three other songs on the album are a lot more fast-paced and traditional 80s hardcore than "I'm Back Sleeping or ***ing or Something" but that's not to say they wouldn't be any less intense as Vance really steals the show. His vocals are filled with angst and raw energy while the lyrics are down-to-earth, thought-provoking and incredibly emotional.
Although
Hate in Me may not be as influential as Moss Icon's later efforts, it acts as an important part of their development and in its short ten-minute length it's a perfect representation of the band's honest and intelligent lyricism, engaging aggression and even catchy melodies. It wasn't until the 90s when Moss Icon really became something completely their own but
Hate in Me doesn't pale in comparison to those albums in anyway and, in fact, is just as much of an essential in the early phase of emotive hardcore.
