Date Released: 03/06/2016
Label: Ipecac Recordings
“Basses Loaded”
is yet another stellar release from the Melvins. They may never release another
record as influential as their 80’s and 90’s classics but the fact they are
still unleashing vital shots of oddball heavy rock, 33 years into their career
is testament to their immortal power.
“Basses Loaded” CD//DD//LP track
listing:
01. The Decay of Lying (Steve McDonald)
02. Choco Plumbing (Jared Warren)
03. Beer Hippie (Dale Crover, aka Melvins 1983 lineup)
04. I Want To Tell You (Steve McDonald)
05. Captain Come Down (JD Pinkus)
06. Hideous Woman (Steve McDonald)
07. Shaving Cream (Dale Crover, aka Melvins 1983 lineup)
08. Planet Distructo (Trevor Dunn, aka Melvins Lite lineup)
09. War Pussy (Steve McDonald)
10. Maybe I Am Amused (Krist Novoselic)
11. Phyllis Dillard (Dale Crover, aka Melvins 1983 lineup)
12. Take Me Out To The Ballgame (Dale Crover, aka Melvins 1983 lineup)
02. Choco Plumbing (Jared Warren)
03. Beer Hippie (Dale Crover, aka Melvins 1983 lineup)
04. I Want To Tell You (Steve McDonald)
05. Captain Come Down (JD Pinkus)
06. Hideous Woman (Steve McDonald)
07. Shaving Cream (Dale Crover, aka Melvins 1983 lineup)
08. Planet Distructo (Trevor Dunn, aka Melvins Lite lineup)
09. War Pussy (Steve McDonald)
10. Maybe I Am Amused (Krist Novoselic)
11. Phyllis Dillard (Dale Crover, aka Melvins 1983 lineup)
12. Take Me Out To The Ballgame (Dale Crover, aka Melvins 1983 lineup)
The Review:
What came
first – the title or the concept of the new Melvins record? Either way, “Basses Loaded” is a good name to cap
off this multi bass player extravaganza. The deadly duo of King Buzzo and Dale
Crover are joined by a plethora of four-string warriors and tub-thumpers to
create another solid entry in the Melvins’ canon.
The plethora
of personnel involved in the creation of this album might raise concerns about
its coherence. These doubts prove
unfounded as “Basses Loaded” has the
feel of a singles collection from a band in their prime. The fun of playing ‘guess the bass player’ only adds to
this infectious energy.
The most
distinctive contribution here is provided by Trevor Dunn on the excellent “Planet Distructo”. His upright bass is
the foundation for a subdued slow-burning track which provides stark contrast
to the high octane mayhem elsewhere and ends up being one
of the albums highlights. The song concludes with Dunn and Crover engaged in a duelling
jazzy solos, both musicians relishing the chance to cut loose. Next easiest to spot is Jared Warren who brings
the heavy metal thunder on “Choco
Plumbing”.
Everything
we’ve come to expect from the current Melvins first team line-up of Buzzo, Crover
and the Big
Business rhythm section is in full effect here. It’s four minutes of
hard-rocking riffs, thunderous dual drumming and maniacal harmonies that makes
you yearn for another full-length from these guys soon.
The rest of
the four string warriors here are harder to place on first listen but provide
some killer contributions. Butthole Surfer’s JD Pinkus fuels some serious
riffarama on “Captain Come Down”
while Krist Novoselic brings bass and accordion to the unexpected power pop of
“Maybe I’m Amused”.
The
remaining tracks are split between Redd Kross’ Steve Macdonald and Melvins’
own Dale Crover on low end duty. Mike Dillard gets behind the kit to allow
Crover to power through the pummelling likes of “Beer Hippie” and the cheeky foul-mouthed nursery rhyme “Shaving Cream”. Macdonald’s tunes cover similarly diverse
ground, from classic Melvins facemelters like “War Pussy” to the catchy glam stomp of “I Want To Tell You”. “The
Decay of Dying” is Macdonald’s best contribution though, and probably the
pinnacle of “Basses Loaded”. It
utilises the classic grunge quiet/loud dynamic to great effect with periods of
restrained crawling menace giving way to bursts of anthemic release.
“Basses Loaded” is yet another stellar
release from the Melvins. They may never release another record as
influential as their 80’s and 90’s classics but the fact they are still
unleashing vital shots of oddball heavy rock, 33 years into their career is
testament to their immortal power.
“Basses Loaded” is available here
