“Cave In” by Straitjacket Fits

I first came across the Straitjacket Fits in 1990 right before the release of their second album Melt. They were from New Zealand and featured songwriters Shayne Carter and Andrew Brough, who seemed at odds with one another. At first I wasn’t the biggest fan of Carter’s voice, but his honest, harsh and uneasy songwriting mixed with Andrew Brough’s harmonies and shimmery guitar created something truly brilliant. I quickly fell in love.

After helping to create the second wave of the “Dunedin sound” in New Zealand, they signed with Arista Records, seeking a larger market in the US. A year later Brough left, and three years later they completely disbanded.

“Cave In” is from the Down In Splendour EP and bridged the gap between their independent work on Flying Nun Records and their eventual major label release on Arista. As with most of their songs, “Cave In” challenges the listener, especially in 1990, a year before Nirvana, when people were force fed gritless, soulless pop from the likes of Wilson Phillips. I think the guitars are amazing on this track, especially when they rain down on Carter’s raw and moving vocals.
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That orginal lineup with Carter and Brough is what made them great, and although they later found modest success apart, it was their unconventional relationship that made them and the Fits stand out.