Released: 11/04/25
The ’90s were a confusing time globally and locally — from the collapse of the Soviet Union to underground hits like The Folk Implosion’s “Natural One” unexpectedly breaking through. While recording their follow-up album Dare to Be Surprised, Lou Barlow and John Davis met engineer Wally Gagel, whose enthusiasm for new wave helped shape a fresh, moody, and dub-influenced sound. Working with limited resources in Gagel’s small Boston studio, they set strict rules—no chords, no strumming, no indie rock—and crafted an album over episodic sessions. Despite the success of “Natural One” from the KIDS soundtrack, they stayed true to their vision. Though overshadowed by the soundtrack, Dare to Be Surprised reveals a band finding its unique voice and creating something genuinely new.