Hey this is my first review so if I go off on a rant, stick with it because it could have some point.
I bought this album having only ever heard one Mudhoney song ("suck you dry" which doesn't appear on this album) and generally being interested in the grunge scene at the time. I chose this album as I could see it was the earliest album on the shelf and in my experience this is when an artist produces its best stuff as they no obligation to anyone but them selves. OK enough about why I bought the album and on with the review:
Mudhoney were:
Vocals and guitar : Mark Arm
Lead guitar : Steve Turner
Bass : Matt Lukin
Drums : Dan Peters
The album its self has really captured their live shows and shined it up a bit so you can listen to. One of their most underrated albums.
1. This Gift
Great start with the rhythmic drumming and distorted guitar. After a fairly slow first verse the songs comes alight with the chorus with mark arm screaming the words, followed by a turnerpeters solo. You really get a sense of their live performance in this song so you have to turn it up and start jumping into people! Definitely no quiet song! 4/5
2. Flat Out F***ed
This song goes straight into madness with Arms signature screaming much like touch me i'm sick! Pounding drums and strange little rifts make this another concert classic. Distortion is a must have for Mudhoney and this song is the perfect reason why. 4.5/5
3. Get Into Yours
This song is fairly sludgy start (like the Melvins) then goes into a fairly average chorus. It gets you going and then bam straight back to grinding verse. The second chorus is followed by a solo keeping the fast paced rhythm and the mosh pit growing. Pretty much the definition of grunge really. 3.5/5
4. You Got It
My favourite song on the album by far. Great bouncy feeling to the whole thing. Great lyrics and screaming lead guitar makes this a classic Mudhoney song and right up there with anything nirvana did. Only one thing wrong it finished too early! Still 5/5
5. Magnolia Caboose Babys**t
This is a cover of "Magnolia Caboose Babyfinger" by Blue Cheer however this isn't credited on the album. Great drumming by the talented Peters and the guitar is spot on to for the short instrumental. 3/5
6. Come To Mind
Slow dry guitars start this one off. Sounds more like former band Green River than Mudhoney but still fits with the album well. The longest song on the album and it’s full of drone. Very well suited solo. Not their best. 2.5/5
7. Here Come Sickness
Just when you thought they have ran out of ideas and your about to turn the cd off they come up with this masterpiece! Good feed back start and then into some classic guitar of Turner. The chorus is amazing with good pounding bass followed by great drumming. The second chorus is an excellent piece of work by all and some strong screaming from Mark and excellent guitar work in the latter. By the time the third verse comes along u just want to the chorus to come back because it’s so good. You aren't disappointed with a long scream from Arm into more ace drumming and an abrupt end. 5/5
8. Running Loaded
Great slowed down Sabbath style riff for verse going into a faster verse make it another perfect example of a grunge song. Much like the whole album you really do get a feeling for their live show in this song. 4/5
9. The Father I Go
Heavy riff start the song and then before you know it becomes grunge again by the chorus. A great song to chant by the audience. Then comes a great but short lived solo. The song is designed for the stage rather than the CD player and unlike the others doesn't really do anything for you unless you are running around drunk. 3/5
10. By Her Own Hand
Lots of stop starting in this song which suits it well with the long drones of Mark Arm. Chorus adds a slight change in tempo but otherwise this song is kind of setting up the next one really. Great war cries from Mark in the middle though. Can imagine they were just tiered at this point but still a good effort plus it helps you wind down for the next song. 3/5
11. When Tomorrow Hits
Very slow song designed to take you away from what you’re doing and just kind of breathe really. Its hard to describe you need to listen to it to understand what I mean. 2.5/5
12. Dead Love
Lush hard riff and completely different from the last song. Great 'jungle like' drumming and weird singing. Kind of make you feel like your losing control or falling in the middle and then some sort of aftermath after. WA WA peddle used to good effect. It’s the kind of feeling you get when you’re really drunk and you've just been sick. Sounds stupid but if you listen to it and think about it i'm right. Faster finish just making you want to listen to more. 4.5/5
This Message Edited On 05.02.06
