Excess, Lies & Heather's Arrest

Prompting comparisons to rootsy alternative stars Cracker and various '70s rockers, Gifthorse's debut, Excess, Lies and Heather's Arrest, made a modest critical splash. Released in 1999 at just about the high point of alternative pointlessness, Gifthorse offered a minimal take on modern rock that recalled some of the original indie stars who ignited the genre. Tracks like "Excess" and "Heather's Arrest" garnered a modicum of college and modern rock airplay, but this Pinch Hit Records release never had a chance at taking off commercially, what with the major-label lockout of big-market radio and MTV. Gifthorse gave it their best shot, though, and on this debut they prove themselves to be more than capable in the songwriting and performance categories. A bit of an alternative find, music fans will do well to go ahead and snag a copy of Excess, Lies and Heather's Arrest if they're lucky enough to stumble upon it in the bargain racks at their local record store.