Saints

AMG Review of Saints

Stewart Mason
All Music Guide

As on most CD EPs, the extra tracks on this three-song single are pretty much for fans only, but, in this case, the extras will likely intrigue Breeders fans. Besides the J. Mascis-produced title track, one of the best songs from the Breeders' 1993 breakout Last Splash, this EP includes an early demo of the album's first hit, "Cannonball," entitled "Grunggae." A portmanteau of the musical genres grunge and eggae, it's actually a pretty apt description of this song's unique, chugging groove, and this mostly instrumental version -- Kim Deal sings a few stray lines here and there, but the lyrics appear to be unwritten at this point -- points out its strengths without the distractions of the gimmicky elements that made it a big radio and MTV hit. The third track is a demo of "New Year" that contains more of the elements of the finished song than "Grunggae," but is considerably noisier and rougher than the comparatively poppy album track.