Heatmiser’s Final Masterpiece Revisited.

Portland’s Heatmiser, active from 1991 to 1996, left a lasting mark on ‘90s alternative rock. Led by Elliott Smith and Neil Gust, the band blended sharp songwriting with raw guitar-driven energy. Mic City Sons, their third and final album, originally released in 1996, is both a creative high point and a farewell. This 30th anniversary edition pairs the original 12 tracks with 12 bonus songs, renewing its legacy.

The album opens strong with “Get Lucky,” a catchy rock song with a driving guitar riff and pop feel. “Plainclothes Man” follows with a softer, mellow strummed acoustic guitar, showcasing the band’s versatility. “Low-Flying Jets” delivers a simple pop rock song, while “Rest My Head Against the Wall” slows things down with a blues-style guitar opening, slow pounding drums, and melancholic lyrics like “And I’m not sure that I ever had the nerve /’Cause I’ve always felt like an easy kill,” drawing the listener in with its dissonant intensity.

“The Fix Is In” explores a slower, indie and experimental vibe, featuring falsetto vocals with harmonies. “Eagle Eye” charges forward with upbeat, intense strumming on guitar, and “Cruel Reminder” channels familiar angsty ‘90s rock energy.

Softer moments arrive with “You Gotta Move,” which starts with a soft fingerstyle guitar opening before joining with drumming, creating a simple, organic and special feel. “Pop in G” brings back distinct guitar parts with rhythmic riffs and leads defining the track. The guitar-driven rock continues with “Blue Highway,” maintaining the album’s momentum.

As the album winds down, “See You Later” offers soft rock with a somber undertone and obscure lyrics, leaving a reflective mood. Finally, “Half Right” closes the core album with slow, acoustic guitar and perfectly captures loneliness with the line, “’Cause when I talk to you on the phone / Well, it’s just like being alone.”

The 30th anniversary bonus tracks maintain the guitar-driven spirit but rarely reach the original album’s heights. Highlights include the crunchy “Burned Out, Still Glowing,” the falsetto-led “I’m Over That Now” and bass-forward “Everybody Has It.” Demo versions of “Get Lucky” and “You Gotta Move” offer stripped-down glimpses into Heatmiser’s creative process. “Christian Brothers (Rock Version)” and the mellow “Untitled Instrumental” round out the set.

Ultimately, the Mic City Sons 30th Anniversary Edition breathes fresh life into a record essential for longtime Heatmiser fans and new listeners discovering Elliott Smith’s early work. The bonus tracks complement rather than overshadow the original album’s brilliance, making this edition a worthy revisit to a poignant chapter in ‘90s alternative rock history.