CanadianWasteland Archives: Barrel - Discography (1994-1997)

Barrel was a post-hardcore band from Atlanta, Georgia. During their time together as a band Barrel played shows with other notable bands in the Georgia scene, including Car Vs. Driver and Inkwell. They were immediately recognized as a very talented band, recording a slew of unreleased material with Geoff Turner of Gray Matter fame before disbanding. Only 4 Barrel songs were ever officially released on a few different regional compilations. Despite their obscurity; Barrel was one of the more interesting post-rock/post-hardcore bands of the 90s, creating some very introspective and meandering songs that are obviously heavily inspired by bands like Slint and Rodan.

An unreleased LP was pressed without artwork sometime in 1995, this album, titled "Pine And Cotton, Sand" is an unsung gem of the period. I would argue that Barrel is the best Louisville band that wasn't actually from Louisville. If anyone has a contact for Rick Moore (vocals/guitar) please let me know, I would kill for a physical copy of the unreleased LP.

Barrel's material, while being reminiscent of Slint and the Louisville scene, is entirely unique and sounds completely "Barrel". Their songs combine the start/stop, spidery and unconventional sound of Slint with the explosive, jagged and energetic nature of "emocore" in the mid-90s. Barrel was truly a juggernaut and an incredible listen, while simultaneously being near-forgotten. Which is a crime in my books...