I used to borrow the latest Rolling Stone from the desk at the dorm and read it, often before heading to dinner. My first encounter with their very existence was a PR piece masquerading as a review (those who can’t do, review) that started with the claim that, if the band went over a cliff tomorrow in their equipment truck, they’d still be one of the greatest bands ever, some such ****. :^) I like ‘em, I’ve got two of their albums on CD, nice pop hooks, but again, top half of a very large class.
The story is more than their music. They are self-produced and all original. They literally had the keys to the studio and after everyone had left they produced one of the greatest rookie albums of all time. Everyone, including Rolling Stone, thought that they were a sure thing after hearing it. Unfortunately it was an anachronism. It was both too late and too early. It was Indie music 30 years before Indie was popular, and it was a few years late for anti-war themes and power anthems. It was also amateurish precisely because it was produced by Chilton/Bell who were 20 and 21 respectively. Despite all of that it was a monumental achievement.