atlantic/wea. / 13 tracks / 1993

I guess there was no escaping the frenzy that followed Nirvana's success, and the Melvins got their major label contract, too. I'm sure they were assured full artistic freedom, so it's probably pure coincidence that this album was a return to rather conventional song structures and more radio friendly track times and tempos. There are 3 or 4 more experimental songs here (like the 10 minutes of pounding drum sounds in “Spread Eagle Beagle”), but a lot of this is a “Nirvanized” version of the Melvins, with more grunge/rock influences and even some melodies. It's still a great album, though, powerful, intense and angry, and if you don't care for their ultra slow style, this might become your favorite Melvins album. [8]

Auch die Melvins bekamen Anfang der 90er ihren Major-Vertrag; hier und da durften sie sogar etwas experimentieren (wie u.a. 10 Minuten Schlagzeuggestampfe in “Spread Eagle Beagle” zeigen), aber die meisten Songs klingen nach einer “nirvanisierten” Version der Band: kürzere, konventionellere Songs mit mehr Rock- und Grunge-Einflüssen und weniger schleppendem Tempo. Das muss aber kein Nachteil sein, denn intensiv und gewaltig ist die Musik noch immer, und wen die ultralangsamen Ergüsse der Band ohnehin langweilen, hat hier vielleicht sogar seine Lieblings-Melvins-CD gefunden.

Tracks: hooch / night goat / lizzy / going blind / honey bucket / hag me / set me straight / sky pup / joan of arc / teet / copache / pearl bomb / spread eagle