AMG Review of Harnessed in Slums

Bryan Carroll
All Music Guide

This single put to bed the idea that Archers of Loaf might have buckled under the pressure of having released a widely acclaimed and fanatically appreciated debut -- "Harnessed in Slums" powers past anything on their near-perfect Icky Mettle LP. Inspiring spontaneous shouting and dancing (or at least extremely vigorous head-bobbing), the song is an incredible burst of hook-driven angst, and simply on the merit of raw energy, remains one of the best rock songs penned in the '90s. The B-sides (both of which appear on The Speed of Cattle compilation) are outtakes of the Loaf in their prime, and would easily stand up to any of the material on their albums. Never self-conscious or haughty, the entire Harnessed in Slums EP is an amazing recording of one of indie rock's flagship bands at the top of their game.