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Street Dogs - State of Grace
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There is a story I will tell you about how evil came into the world. Once upon a time, all the witch people from around the world came together for a conference to see who could cook up the scariest thing. They took lots of approaches, for instance, making charms and potions, etc. Finally, there was one witch left who hadn’t done anything; all that the witch had was a story. She told them the story and it was an awful thing full of fear, slaughter, disease and blood. When she was finished all the others agreed she had won but they begged her to take it back. Unfortunately, once a story is told it can never be called back.1 The name of this story had to have been the Melvins.

For the past 20 years the Melvins have been unleashing their murky hybrid of metal and hardcore punk to create some of the most interesting and twisted heavy rock to ever have been made. A Senile Animal is no exception to this rule and in fact to its credit is a lot more focused than some of the band's more recent output. The group is now a four-piece, having added the rhythm section of Big Business to the formidable talents of King Buzzo and Dale Crover. Regarding the band's lengthy output I’d say they were usually always a drummer’s band, now with two drummers that is more evident than ever.

The album starts off with one of the best examples of this phenomenal percussion with “The Talking Horse.” Around halfway through the song there is a drum attack involving some really nice cymbal and block or cowbell work. It is classic Melvins in more than the tight drumming. The guitar lines scratch at your ears, droning along but at such a pace that it never becomes monotonous. While the band has previously delved into some prog-rock and psychedelic territory they largely stay away from that kind of thing on this release. However, the vocals of the various band members tend to get layered atop each other, which gives a slight psychedelic effect but adds to the overall creepiness in songs such as the aforementioned “The Talking Horse.” In fact, the vocal arrangement is slightly choir-like at times, something like fellow northwesterners Nomeansno might do. Unlike a great majority of heavy music, which can tend to be repetitive and boring to casual listeners, the variety is quite clear, from the stop start motion of “Blood Witch” to the unique but equally pounding drum intros on “A History of Bad Men” and “Civilized Worm.”

Another highlight of the album for me was the self-production. When so many releases in punk and metal can sound like glossy pieces of turd, the Melvins bring back grit to rock'n'roll. This is no more apparent than the dark, garage-y punk strut walked on “A History of Drunks” which sounds more authentically 'garage' than most modern garage rock bands since the New Bomb Turks have come and gone.

Chances are if you like the Melvins but have lost touch with them recently this will bring you right back in. If you have always loved them, you will likely continue to do so. This has given me an excuse to go back and listen to Houdini and Stoner Witch too; if you haven’t listened to the Melvins I suggest start with those, but check this out as well.

Footnotes:

1. This paragraph is a paraphrase from pg. 9 in Thomas King’s book The Truth About Stories, check it out stud.



People who liked this also liked:
Hot Water Music - The New What NextPlanes Mistaken for Stars - MercyBad Astronaut - Twelve Small Steps, One Giant DisappointmentConverge - No HeroesBorn to Lose - Sweet MiseryThe Evens - Get EvensDarkest Hour - ArchivesLife Long Tragedy / Final Fight - Split [7 inch]Squirrel Bait - Squirrel BaitCasey Jones - The Messenger



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    Posted by BrandonSideleau on 2006-11-02 20:31:34
    My Score:

    Their Lustmord split was awesome. You guys dont know what the fuck you're talking about. Everything these guys release is gold.

    Posted by JonDaley on 2006-11-02 17:00:58

    Pigs of The Roman Empire is more atmospheric and progy I enjoyed it but not that much. This is a lot more straightforward and actually rocks. I guess download it to see, or try Houdini which is possibly their easiest to get into.

    Posted by Not-To-Regret on 2006-11-02 15:40:01

    I d/l the Melvins w/ Lustmord or Mustlord or whatever, Pigs of The Roman Empire... something along those line, and I thought it was terrible, atmospheric metal if I recall? Something like that, I just remember strongly dislking it. Are they agressive metal? or what. Someone fill me in here I didn't bother reading the review, maybe mustlord sucks?

    Posted by JonDaley on 2006-11-02 14:46:59

    only 8==> ? the Melvins have 8==============>

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 2, 2006 at 11:12 AM (EST)

    Mxpx = 8==>

    Posted by Jim_Neighbors on 2006-11-01 23:47:25

    Noob Saibot, youse my only friend

    Posted by Jesse on 2006-11-01 21:12:15

    Big Business is awesome. Bassist from Karp and drummer from Murder City Devils. The last album is HUGE, but to me it just sounds like Karp dropped their guitarist, got a better drummer, and wrote more concise songs.

    Posted by GreenVandal on 2006-11-01 17:46:28

    "good to know about Big Business never listened to them before but they seem really talented based on this so I wouldn't doubt that they could carry a whole album with just them."

    I think you weould like them. I say this because you like the Melvins and they have a very Melvins-ish sound. I don't have much experience with these guys, but i understand what that their trademark is - to put it simply - sludgy hardcore with some metal for good measure. Anyway, It makes alot of sense that those guys are now in the Melvins. Good for them!

    Posted by elguapo on 2006-11-01 17:22:52
    My Score:

    score is for everything the Melvins have ever done(including Prick and Collosus of Destiny)

    Posted by JonDaley on 2006-11-01 16:29:30

    oh and about the cover art, mine is different, dunno if it is a Canadian thing or what.

    Posted by JonDaley on 2006-11-01 16:28:50

    good to know about Big Business never listened to them before but they seem really talented based on this so I wouldn't doubt that they could carry a whole album with just them.

    Posted by GreenVandal on 2006-11-01 16:04:40

    I actually read the review now and I think it's funny that you say they added the rhythm section of Big Business. Big Business IS a rhythm section. Thats it. It's only a large man on bass and a skinny dude who can play the drums like no ones fucking business. (In a funny coincidence, I saw them open for the Blood Brothers) I like that band.

    Posted by GreenVandal on 2006-11-01 16:01:54
    My Score:

    Wheres the Blood Brothers interview?

    Oh, and that is some awesome cover art. The only album I ever heard by these kinds was called like....Gluey Porch or somehting like that. I was not a fan. Have heard snippets of things since then and have liked them better, so I will give this one a the benefit of the doubt.

    Kudos to Punknews for putting this above Aiden on the reviews coloumn. You know that one is gonna get more hits/comments, but this is an important underground band and they deserve to be recognized for their influence.

    Posted by sfbarker on 2006-11-01 15:37:00
    My Score:

    I got a press copy of this...slayed tang. Totally killer album. The Melvins are so much better than most bands in the world. Love these guys.

    Posted by JonDaley on 2006-11-01 13:32:45

    the lack of interest in this album doesn't really surprise me too, much I wouldn't have put this that high on the reviews column. I hope people honestly check this out because it is one of the top 5 records of the year.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at 11:26 PM (EST)

    the melvins just did a split 7 inch with comedian patton oswalt. its pretty good.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at 10:43 PM (EST)

    cool review, i forgot these guys were still around. cudos for the nomeansno shoutout!

    Posted by SlackMFr on 2006-10-31 21:59:14

    Yawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwnnn! It's tired in here.

    Posted by strangenotes on 2006-10-31 21:29:24

    The lack of comments on this doesn't surprise me.

    Posted by Ike_Ness on 2006-10-31 20:29:50

    Goddam these guys are insane. Bring back the Jelvins.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at 4:39 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    How the hell is Converge a shtick band? that's the dumbest fucking thing I've ever heard.

    Oh yeah, and the Melvins fucking rule.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at 1:58 PM (EST)

    planes album is already out and there will be no Converge album because shitty schtick bands dont get reviews

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at 12:28 PM (EST)

    when does the planes mistaken for stars record come out

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at 11:48 AM (EST)

    good review, bit different

    Posted by joeg on 2006-10-31 11:04:14

    to this day, the melvins have still done the most damage to my hearing than any other band i've seen.

    Posted by fluxy44 on 2006-10-31 06:04:46

    Ive never really sat an listened to the Melvins, but i just downloaded this an its awesome! Gunna get me a discog

    Posted by Jesse on 2006-10-31 05:46:17

    I was going to review this, but then, you know, I didn't. This album rips. Finally the band has a dominant low end forcing itself out over Buzzo's riffs. Reminds me a lot of their 1983 demos that surfaced last year.

    Posted by BrandonSideleau on 2006-10-31 02:39:49
    My Score:

    Converge arent bad by any means but they arent fit to even wash the scrotum of the mighty Melvins.

    Posted by colin on 2006-10-31 02:06:12

    where's the bigwig review?

    Posted by JonDaley on 2006-10-31 01:34:51

    I aso spell color like this: colour.

    it is what I'm paid the big bucks for.

    Posted by danperrone on 2006-10-31 01:28:43

    a footnote!!!!

    how pretentious!

    Posted by DenBez on 2006-10-31 01:26:04

    This and Converge are tied for album of the year.

    Posted by JonDaley on 2006-10-31 00:55:04

    I'm gonna go out on a limb and say

    the Melvins > Converge

    I haven't heard the new Converge nor do I hate them but few people touch the Melvins

    Posted by mattp330 on 2006-10-31 00:52:07

    wait, this isn't converge

    Posted by fallingupwards84 on 2006-10-31 00:44:44

    where the fuck are the converge and mxpx reviews?

    Posted by JonDaley on 2006-10-31 00:37:30

    where is the converge review?

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