Melvins: Working with God

Melvins are a legendary outfit in the US Alt-rock scene, in particular seen as a pivotal influence on the grunge movement which swept the world in the early nineties. The band are very prolific, and have a rolling line-up which frequently results in some slight name changes - the moniker for this latest effort is also known as ‘Melvins 1983’ as it involves the personnel; Buzz Osborne, Mike Dillard and Dale Crover - who were in the band around that time. Guitarist and Vocalist Osborne, also known as ‘King Buzzo’, is the band’s driving force and main constant, probably as much known for his appearance (with a hairstyle that looks like he stuck his finger in an electric socket) as his music.

The band are also known for their ‘wacky’ sense of humour and this comes through particularly in the tracks that bookend this latest effort; “I Fuck Around� is a fairly straight run through of the Beach Boys “ I Get Around� with many of the lyrics replaced with a certain four-letter word whilst the album ends with a bizarre, mostly acapella version of the standard “ Goodnight Sweetheart�, some of which sounds like it is sung backwards. I guess if I was 14 again I might find these tracks marginally amusing but now… not so much. Thankfully much of the remaining half-hour or so is good stuff, and also shows the more accessible side of the band, so a good introductory point for newbies.

“Negative No No� is a slow-building track with a strong, grinding riff topped off with King Buzzo’s trademark deep vocals, think Black Sabbath meets early Soundgarden for a rough approximation. “Bouncing Rick� sees the tempo kick up a notch and has a very playful and inventive main riff. “Hot Fish� is a slower number which shows off the sludgier riffing the band can come up with, while “ Fuck you� is a more conventional rock n roll number, at least musically �" the title and lyrics meaning this is unlikely to be blaring on the radio any time soon!

In summary then, I can do without some of the ‘humorous’ tracks but overall this is a strong release and shows that age has done little to decrease the band’s creativity or their mastery of a crushing riff.

Tracklist:
1.I Fuck Around
2.Negative No No
3.Bouncing Rick
4.Caddy Daddy
5.Brian The Horse Faced Goon (intro)
6. Brian The Horse Faced Goon
7.Boy Mike
8.Fuck You
9.Fuck You (outro)
10.The Good Great Place
11.Hot Fish
12.Hund
13.Goodnight Sweetheart

Added: April 25th 2021
Reviewer: Tom De Val
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 681
Language: english

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