The Scruffs - Take A Bath (full Ep) ✦

Take A Bath is often viewed by collectors as a "hidden gem" in the Scruffs' Discography . While it didn't achieve the mainstream radio success that local Memphis legends like Jim Dickinson once predicted for the band, it remains a vital piece of evidence that Stephen Burns never lost his "belief that a nice melody and a good hook are the keys to the universe".

This release appeared during a prolific period of rediscovery for the band, arriving shortly before the "reunion" era that saw them recording in Scotland with members of Belle and Sebastian. Musical Direction The Scruffs - Take A Bath (Full EP)

The EP balances the band's power pop roots with elements of alternative rock and indie pop, a precursor to the varied styles found on their follow-up full-length Actual Size (2001). Legacy Take A Bath is often viewed by collectors

While many fans associate The Scruffs with the jangling, "Beatl-esque" jolt of the 1970s Memphis scene, Take A Bath serves as a bridge toward the lusher, more complex arrangements that would define Burns' later work. Antfarm Records (ANT 003). Musical Direction The EP balances the band's power

The EP features guest contributions from Bill Gibson, John Encarnacao, and Michael O'Regan, signaling a move away from the traditional four-piece garage sound toward a more textured studio approach.

In contrast to the raw energy of tracks like "Break the Ice," Take A Bath leans into:

Critics have noted that Burns' songwriting in this era became "lusher and more complex," maintaining the hook-heavy core of power pop while exploring "British-influenced pop" nuances.