Media

Released in 1998, 'Media' serves as the debut full-length for The Faint, marking their transition from the moniker Norman Bailer. While the band would later become synonymous with the dance-punk revival of the early 2000s, 'Media' is a starkly different beast, rooted firmly in the mid-90s indie rock and post-hardcore tradition. Recorded during the formative years of the Saddle Creek collective, the album features a lineup that includes Conor Oberst on some tracks, though the creative core is led by Todd Fink. Sonically, the record is defined by angular, interlocking guitar parts and a dry, minimalist production style that emphasizes the band's rhythmic tightness. Critics often view it as a 'missing link' between the emotive hardcore of the era and the new wave revivalism that would follow. Though the band later distanced themselves from this sound, 'Media' remains a vital document of the Omaha scene's evolution, showcasing a more melodic and guitar-centric side of the group.