Seeing as the nineties are hot again with plenty of bands mixing in some grunge-y influences, Sub Pop must’ve have figured now was as good a time as any to re-release Soundgarden’s first EP, the 8-song “Screaming Life”. Also included is the band’s follow-up EP, 1988’s “Fopp”. Producer Jack Endino handled the remastering and – as the original producer – safeguarded the overall integrity of the recordings while adding some punch and power to the recordings.

That’s all swell but fact is that most of the songs on “Screaming Life” wouldn’t have anyone turning their heads these days. The brooding “Nothing To Say” however is a nice exception and can be seen as a precursor of things to come.

The songs off of “Fopp” however are even worse and must’ve been written at a time when Soundgarden was less than inspired. I mean, that dub mix of “Fopp”? Die-hard fans might want to pick this one up but everyone else is better off listening to “Badmotorfinger”.