Dizzy: The Medicine Label Anthology
Omnivore, 2025
10/10
Listen to Dizzy: The Medicine Label Anthology
The story of Seattle’s Green Apple Quick Step is a lengthy and complicated one, but let’s just say that though they never achieved the success of their alt-rock peers from the early to mid ‘90s, it certainly wasn’t from a lack of talent.
This double CD reissue assembles their 2 criminally overlooked albums plus bonus material, and it won’t be hard to notice how influential their sound was for legends like Pearl Jam or Stone Temple Pilots.
The first disc is made up of their 1993 album, Wonderful Virus, plus bonus tunes. The dense and melodic rock of “Dirty Water Ocean” opens with Bob Martin’s animated drumming, and it isn’t long until “Broken” arrives with Daniel Kempthorne and Steve Ross’ muscular guitars balancing power and beauty.
Further along, “Feel My Way” brings grooves and bare bouts alongside front man Tyler Willman’s diverse pipes, and, of the bonus material, “Shifting”, captures the band’s swirling live energy and hard hitting appeal that exemplifies all that was great about ‘90s post-grunge.
The back half of the collection includes 1995’s Reloaded album and bonus selections. “Hotel Wisconsin” leads with ambience and dynamic musicianship that’s even a bit psychedelic, and “T.V. Girl” showcases a calmer, more intimate side of the band, but not without thicker bursts, too.
Closer to the end of the original LP, “Space Cocksucker” is a stylish and sophisticated moment that benefits from Mari Ann Braeden’s playful bass, and “Party Dream”, 1 of 6 bonus tracks on disc 2, enlists harmonica via the indeed festive spirit.
GAQS would go on to record another album in ‘98 that was never released, and they still occasionally play tribute and reunion shows. For those of us who weren’t privy to their greatness in their heyday, this is an excellent package of some first rate ‘90s rock that never was appreciated enough.
Travels well with: The Cowsills- Global; The Young Fresh Fellows- The Fabulous Sounds Of The Pacific Northwest