What Fun Life Was

Bedhead includes: Matt Kadane (vocals).
Recorded in 1993.
Bedhead's first full length album, WHAT FUN LIFE WAS displays for the first time the influential songwriting and noise pop leanings that inspired a loyal following. Abandoning low-key guitars and country pinings, Bedhead opts for thick sonic layers and dynamic time changes, creating a delightfully cacophonous and melodic structure. The vocals still underpin the melody, but now, as on tracks such as "Haywire," they signal sudden, wonderfully timed crescendos.
"Bedside Table" is the best example of the band's departure from the first FOUR SONG EP. Beginning with a simple guitar loop, drums gently ride in, accompanied by a parallel guitar figure, accented with yet another meandering melody, and finally tied together with vocals mumbling "You cut your head on the bedside table...." The song never repeats itself yet dances over the same notes until it slowly builds to unearth distorted guitars and cymbal crashes, ending, perfectly, on a single resonant note. "The Unpredictable Landlord" sneaks in a bounding bassline in mid song while the guitars momentarily step aside, and "Foaming Love" harkens back to Bedhead's previous acoustic leanings, country picking and all. Overall, experimentation with guitar pedals, chimes, bells, and percussion make this release what many consider the band's best.