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Kyuss - [Welcome to] Sky Valley
http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov...73473zmoj4.jpg
Label: Elektra/Asylum Records
Original Release Date: June 28, 1994
Tracklisting:
1. Gardenia > Asteroid > Supa Scoopa and Mighty Scoop - 17:46
2. 100 (degrees) > Space Cadet > Demon Cleaner - 14:50
3. Odyssey > Conan Troutman > N.O. > Whitewater - 18:19
4. Lick Doo - 0:58
Lineup:
John Garcia - Vocals
Josh Homme - Guitars
Brant Bjork - Drums
Scott Reeder - Bass (picture of him under my name)
Background:
Four high school guys in Palm Desert, California, an arid town just outside of Los Angles formed Kyuss (pronounced Kai - uss) in 1990 after playing in various groups together. They recorded their first CD called Sons of Kyuss which was originally a self titled album, but they decided to shorten their name. Their influences include Danzig, The Melvins, Black Sabbath, Hawkwind and Mario Lalli's old band Across the River. But they are all big fans of many old-style punk bands like The Cramps and Bad Brains. But they wanted to make music because they felt they could do somethin different with it. They honed their skills playing live, but the area was lacking of any kind of music scene. So they played what came to be known as "generator parties" in which they hauled all their instruments out to the surrounding desert and plugged into a portable generator. They became a local attraction and ended up declining an offer from MTV to record one of the events.
They were signed to the minor label Chameleon and released their first full-length album Wretch. Wretch failed to truly capture the monolithic sound of the band and it wasn't until 1992's landmark effort Blues for the Red Sun that it was harnessed and etched onto wax. With Chris Goss (Masters of Reality) behind the production board, the band cut a 50 minute 39 second slab of down-tuned, thick-riffing, punk-influenced, psychedelic-euphoria that, fortunately, went rather undetected by the masses. However, it managed to gain them many worthy fans, such as Dave Grohl (Nirvana) and James Hetfield (Metallica). The album is still considered by many to be the flagship album of the Stoner Rock scene, also referred to as Desert, Doom, Sludge, etc. in various sub-genres.
1994 saw the amicable departure of long-time bassist Nick Oliveri who was replaced by fellow desert rat, Scott Reeder (The Obsessed, Across the River), as well as the transition to a major label. Their third full-length release, [Welcome to] Sky Valley (It was intended to be a self-titled release, as it was the major-label debut, but fans stuck to using the road sign seen in the cover art) was their response to single oriented rock. They produced a four track, fifty two minute album that was really an 11 track album with the simple instructions printed in the linear notes: "listen without distraction". Again, with producer and friend Chris Goss, they birthed "the symphony of the desert" with layers upon layers of thunderous guitar and bass work, Brant's phenomenal drumming and John Garcia's rather signature touch.
Standout tracks include the misleadingly titled, powerful "Gardenia", the spacey "Demon Cleaner" which was eventually covered by Tool, and the jam-driven, heavy-as-hell "Whitewater". The album nearly seamlessly morphs from song to song, making the album a worthwile trip in full. Brant's songwriting really shines on tracks like "Gardenia", but sadly this was his final effort on the kit for Kyuss, he left shortly after completing his parts to persue his personal musical excusions. This album landed them a spot on tour with Metallica due to James Hetfield's like of the band, although they still remain rather unknown today.
Sounds Like: Soundgarden, Tool, Black Sabbath, Hawkwind, Fu Manchu, Blue Cheer and Black Flag all mixed together
MP3: Check out an instrumental cut from 'Blues for the Red Sun' called 'Apothecarie's Weight' [URL=http://http://www.stonerrock.com/store/info.asp?item_num=ATH-553]here[/URL]
Full Discography:
1990 - Sons of Kyuss (independent)
1991 - Wretch (Chameleon)
1992 - Blues for the Red Sun (Chameleon)
1994 - [Welcome to] Sky Valley (Elektra/Asylum)
1995 - ...And the Circus Leaves Town (Elektra/Asylum)
1997 - Split EP with Queens of the Stone Age (Man's Ruin)
2000 - Muchas Gracias: The Best of Kyuss (Elektra/Asylum)
[really just a collection of b-sides and rarities]
And of course the many other bands they have been/are in:
Queens of the Stone Age
Mondo Generator
Unida
Hermano
Slo Burn
The Desert Sessions
Che
Fu Manchu
Nebula
The Dwarves
Tool
Bottom Line: This is the heaviest band I have heard - period. Even after being a devout metalhead for five years now, these guys are the epitome of heavy to me. Revolver Magazine agrees: Kyuss was voted Sixth in their list of the Fifty Heaviest Bands Ever. They prove that heavy is not just a sound but an attitude. I won't give it a number rating here because I feel it does not suffice. Just know that this album is by far one of my favorites and will continue to be so. Don't write them off if you're not a fan of QOSTA, it's like not liking The Beatles because you thought Paul McCartney's Wings sucked or that you don't like early Metallica because of 'Load'. Not to say QOTSA is bad...but just completely different.
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I can't beleive I've never heard these guys, but I think I would like them. I really love the Melvins, do you think I would like these guys? If so, can you tell me some songs to download?
Oh, and very good review :thumb:
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Great review. They are, no question, my favourite band of all time. Too bad they had already broken up by the time I picked up their CDs. And you're right, they are beyond heavy. Their sub-atomic groove just doesn't quit.
Now I only need to get my hands on "Sons of Kyuss" and my collection will be complete.
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br3ad man - yeah, you'd dig these guys...they were both on Man's Ruin and they toured together. Check out anything by Kyuss you can get your hands on from 'Blues for the Red Sun', 'Sky Valley' or '...And the Circus Leaves Town"...it's all amazing - and while you're at it check out Stonerrock.com and get reading - it is a whole new level of underground sludge and psychedelica you'd dig. Check out the MP3 jukebox and download the song i posted to.
forthepeopleofthesun - Try tapetraders.net if you want the first EP and offer to 2-for-one somebody for it unless you got something to copy and trade. If you haven't checked out the above site I would advise you to do so asap, they just added a kyuss tribute album to the store.
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Wow, that's a really good review.
This is my 3rd favourite Kyuss album behind ...And The Circus Leaves Town and Blues. I love it to death though. One thing that annoys me is the whole joining of the songs thing, like if you want to hear Demon Cleaner you have to wade through 2 songs. etc...
Excellent album and top quality review.
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"This is my 3rd favourite Kyuss album behind Sky Valley and Blues."
So that would make it #2? Ah, nevermind, with a name like that i'd expect '...Circus' to be your favorite. But truth be told I can't decide how to rank the three. If you don't like to wade through 2 songs to hear 'Demon Cleaner' then pick up the best of album. You can skip right to it and all the b-sides that are with it are well worth the price - it's got 'shine' on it too...hell yeah. Thanks for posting.
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[QUOTE=Ophidian]"This is my 3rd favourite Kyuss album behind Sky Valley and Blues."
So that would make it #2? Ah, nevermind, with a name like that i'd expect '...Circus' to be your favorite. But truth be told I can't decide how to rank the three. If you don't like to wade through 2 songs to hear 'Demon Cleaner' then pick up the best of album. You can skip right to it and all the b-sides that are with it are well worth the price - it's got 'shine' on it too...hell yeah. Thanks for posting.[/QUOTE]
Shit, I meant behind ...And The Circus Leaves Town and Blues, my mistake.
I have Muchas Gracias, don't really care for it much though. It's alright for a best of though.
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Great review dude.
I love the band and I really want to hear more, because I think Queens of the Stone Age and Kyuss, and the rest of the 'family tree' are amazing.
I only currently have ...and the circus leaves town.
Ive heard that Sky Valley is most influencial, while Blues, has got possibly their best ch0000ns on.
which reminds me, MTV2 actually played green machine the other day, I was well impressed.
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No way? I didn't know MTV had the spine to play anything like that...that's not even a major label backed video...i'm impressed. But I think I'm more impressed that [even just a few] people out there even know these guys...rock on guys. m/
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Question: Do you live in America? If so im not surprised that you are surprised :P
In th UK we have wayyyy better channels. Well, two. Mtv2 (europe) and Scuzz.
Mtv2 really shouldn't even be labeled as MTV channel, because its totally independant but has the name slapped on it anyway. Mtv2 play everything that rules with music from hip hop to death metal, they show their appreciation to all great music. Now sadly, during their 5 years of existance (over here anyway) they have got slightly shallower, my guess because mtv actually took some power back, because all the time they played Techno/Hip hop, Indie/Rock and Metal all the time. But now adays they are more restrained, and only play Metal (really) in 'Headbangers Ball' Hip Hop in a show called 'Mtv2 loves hip hop' and All other cool underground bands in a show called '120 minutes'. However these shows are only shown at about midnight, so not many people see them anymore. So yeah, it is a treat when they play stuf like Kyuss or refused, or even early incubus because they've become a lot blander than what they used to be. And the stupid thing is, people request these sorta bands all the time but they still don't play em as much as they should. This is the second time i've seen green machine played in recent times, they played it once in a special about (Cannabis and music) and again the other day in a colloection of Queens of the Stone Age stuff. They also played One Inch Man before in the same sorta QotSA collection thing. But overall, MTV2 are still the best.
Scuzz simply concentrate on Metal and therefore show the best new bands coming through and play some absolute classic's (sepultura, pantera, old metallica anyone?)
Yep, so you now know whats decent about brittish music television :D
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I listen to Queens Of The Stone Age's self titled album, and Songs For The Deaf. I try not to listen to other bands that are supposedly like KYUSS (like clutch, or ween) because KYUSS are so good other bands won't be able to touch them.
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[QUOTE=Moroii]Great review on this one too, man.
I hear alot of other stoner bands that I like, but none of them seem to come close to Kyuss. What bands do you listen to fill the void?[/QUOTE]
Kyuss are one and only and there will never be a similar band!
But there are some good bands around that can give many good vibration. I can suggest Natas (www.natasrock.com), for example, they are great!
..and obviously my band (eh eh), T.H.U.M.B. (www.thumbrock.com ---> download an Mp3!). :naughty:
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[QUOTE=Moroii]Great review on this one too, man.
I hear alot of other stoner bands that I like, but none of them seem to come close to Kyuss. What bands do you listen to fill the void?[/QUOTE]
woah, haven't seen you for awhile, nice to have you back.
Just a question, how are Kyuss realted to Tool?
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[QUOTE=br3ad_man]woah, haven't seen you for awhile, nice to have you back.
Just a question, how are Kyuss realted to Tool?[/QUOTE]
Probably because Tool have recorded a cover of Kyuss; but they are musically very different, even if are both heavy and psychedelic... Honestly I prefer Kyuss!
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I love both bands, but I prefer KYUSS at the moment because I'm in a heavier mood.
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Moroii: Reeder played in Tool until Justin Chancellor stepped in on bass permanently.
Bokal: Amen, finally made enough money to pick up Bee Jesus and I am impressed. It's not a total clone but enough to fill the hole. Otherwise, I'd say Unida definitely. It's John Garcia's band. Check them out at Unidamusic.com
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totally the best band to ever live. too bad i was too little to know anything at that time. this album is my 2nd favourite, after blues for the red sun. there's just something about blues... that spacious feeling i get from the recording, that vibe in the background. the wonders of analogue recording!
if u have no idea who kyuss are, fret not! go out there now and buy any of their last 3 albums, or the mucha gracias album. i guarantee u'll not regret, bcos it'll be worth ur money! otherwise, u can always sell the mucha gracias album to me..... haha.
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Muchas Gracias sucks.
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I disagree. It's a great rarities compilation, with a few album tracks chucked in for good measure. I really like it.
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[QUOTE=Tangy zizzle]Muchas Gracias sucks.[/QUOTE]
Yeah it does. I saw it on sale for 10 bucks so I downloaded it so see if it was worth it. It's not.
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I'm a pretty heavy Kyuss fan and I was dissapointed with Muchas Gracias, I really was. The live tracks are poorly recorded, the songs from the other albums aren't even their best and the rarities are not spectacular.
I say it again, Muchas Gracias sucks.
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