The undeniable teen energy (liner notes say Bill's drummer brother Tommy was 15 at the time) is belied by Fox's masterful handling of melody and some particularly astute harmonic and instrumental choices. There is also an unexplained on-off theme of pharaohs and tombs—almost à la the Ramones:Nazis or Half Japanese:monsters, though less pronounced.

Scooter, from a year later, progresses more in terms of sound rather than attitude. Overdubbed acoustic guitars provide a comfortable bed, and a couple of the prettier numbers could almost be compared to Ohio almost-contemporaries Guided by Voices, except that the words here are actually about things. The acoustic closer, "Carolina," anticipates the heartbreak if not the occasional AOR proclivities of the singer's more recent solo work. Other tracks match the first EP's vigor, and "Bye Bye Kitty Cat" is as bitter a breakup kiss-off as you'll hear.