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When Truly called it quits in 1998, they left behind a criminally underappreciated catalog that deserved far better than the alternative rock graveyard where so many promising bands from that era found themselves buried. Their 1995 masterpiece "Fast Stories... From Kid Coma" stands as perhaps the most compelling argument for why this Seattle trio should be mentioned in the same breath as their more famous grunge contemporaries, yet somehow this gem continues to fly under the radar of all but the most dedicated diggers of '90s underground gold.

The album's legacy has grown considerably in the decades since its release, with critics and fans finally recognizing it as a bridge between the raw power of early grunge and the more sophisticated songcraft that would define alternative rock's second wave. While bands like Nirvana and Soundgarden were imploding under the weight of their own success, Truly was quietly crafting something more nuanced – music that retained the emotional intensity of grunge while embracing a broader palette of influences that ranged from classic rock to psychedelia.

"Fast Stories... From Kid Coma" showcases a band operating at the peak of their creative powers. The opening track "Blue Flame Ford" immediately establishes the album's dynamic range, with Robert Roth's soaring vocals floating over a bed of crystalline guitars that build to thunderous crescendos. It's the kind of song that makes you wonder why Truly never became household names – all the elements are there, from memorable hooks to that ineffable quality that separates great rock songs from merely good ones.

The album's centerpiece, "Leatherette Tears," might be the finest four minutes the band ever committed to tape. Roth's voice carries a vulnerability that recalls Jeff Buckley, while the rhythm section of bassist Hiro Yamamoto and drummer Mark Pickerel (both Soundgarden veterans) provides a foundation that's both muscular and surprisingly delicate. The song builds with the kind of emotional intensity that made '90s alternative rock so compelling, but there's a maturity in the songwriting that suggests Truly was reaching for something beyond the angst-ridden formulas of their peers.

"If You Don't Let Me In" strips things down to their essence – a haunting ballad that showcases Roth's impressive vocal range while the band creates an atmosphere that's simultaneously intimate and expansive. It's the kind of song that reveals new layers with each listen, a quality that defines the album's best moments. Meanwhile, tracks like "Chlorine" and "Heart and Lungs" demonstrate the band's ability to rock hard without sacrificing the melodic sensibilities that set them apart from the pack.

The album's origins trace back to the aftermath of grunge's initial explosion, when Seattle's music scene was simultaneously at its commercial peak and creative crossroads. Truly emerged from this environment with members who had already paid their dues in the trenches – Yamamoto had left Soundgarden after their breakthrough "Louder Than Love," while Pickerel brought credentials from Screaming Trees. Rather than simply recycling familiar formulas, they used their experience to craft something more ambitious and emotionally complex.

Musically, "Fast Stories... From Kid Coma" occupies a unique space that's harder to categorize than typical grunge fare. There are elements of classic rock grandeur, post-punk experimentation, and even hints of the shoegaze movement that was gaining traction across the Atlantic. The production, handled by the band alongside Jack Endino (who had worked with Nirvana, Soundgarden, and countless other Seattle luminaries), strikes an ideal balance between clarity and rawness that allows every element to breathe while maintaining the album's cohesive atmosphere.

Perhaps what's most striking about the album today is how it anticipated directions that alternative rock would eventually explore. The emotional sophistication, the willingness to embrace beauty alongside power, and the seamless integration of diverse influences – all of these elements would become hallmarks of the genre's evolution throughout the late '90s and beyond.

"Fast Stories... From Kid Coma" remains a testament to the creative possibilities that existed within the broader grunge movement, proof that Seattle's scene was far richer and more varied than the popular narrative suggests. It's an album that rewards patience and repeated listening, revealing itself as one of the era's hidden masterpieces – a beautiful, complex work that deserves to be rediscovered by anyone seeking to understand the full scope of '90s alternative rock's creative heights.