77 003

Although Bargain Music circulated a demo cassette in 1998, 77 003 was its first CD and its official debut album — and it's also the band's most essential release. 77 003 was produced by Mike Watt, who is known for his association with the Minutemen and Firehouse — not a bad guy to have in your corner, and he helps pull things together nicely on this promising debut. Watt doesn't tame the band's free-spirited nature; he doesn't rob Bargain Music of its eccentricity or sense of humor, and he doesn't discourage eclecticism. Watt has no problem with the fact that 77 003 will combine alternative rock with reggae one minute and hip-hop or soul the next before occasionally straying into alternative country/No Depression territory. But Watt sees to it that this album, for all its risk-taking and quirkiness, sounds cohesive and focused. A lot has changed since 77 003 was recorded in 1999; most of the people who appear on this 57-minute disc have since left the band, including vocalist Skeleton Man (who has good alternative rap instincts à la De La Soul and the Jungle Brothers), bassist Jeff Ward, guitarist Trey Pangborn, and trumpeter Dave Williams. All that upheaval can devastate a band, but thankfully lead singer Josh Fischel carried on and continued to keep Bargain Music creatively healthy. The band's subsequent releases, Cook the Beans and The Magic Is Over, are also worth owning; nonetheless, most Bargain Music fans agree that 77 003 is its strongest, most essential release and that this is the album to start out with if one is exploring the band's work for the first time.