The Melvins -- Los Angeles, CA -- April 13th, 2012

Onioner · #1 04-14-2012, 12:42 PM

The Melvins' management asked Metal Assault to write a review of the show, so Andrew Metalhead asked me to cover this one. It was a cool show, but I think the setlist could have been a bit better balanced in terms of their catalog as a whole, but what do I know, I don't own any of their stuff haha. They performed all of their new EP, which was cool I suppose. Oh and their cover of Youth of America ruled. I thought the two drummer thing worked really really well, the rhythm section sounded massive and they did cool drum jams in between the songs. Cool set overall, I'm definitely gonna check out some of their albums now. Anyone have any recommendations as to what Melvins albums I should listen to first?

1. Dog Island
2. Lysol (This what was written on the setlist- It ended up being a medley of Hung Bunny and Roman Dog Bird)
3. The Water Glass
4. Evil New War God
5. Manky
6. A History of Bad Men
7. Youth of America (The Wipers cover)
8. A Growing Disgust
9. The War on Wisdom
10. We are Doomed
11. Friends Before Larry
12. A Really Long Wait
13. National Hamster
14. The Bit

adamclark52 · #2 04-14-2012, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onioner

but I think the setlist could have been a bit better balanced in terms of their catalog as a whole,

You're spot on there, with something 30 releases (full-lengths, EP's, etc) no one will ever hear everything they want to hear at a Melvins show. Youth of America is cool though, that was a very underrated, too-easily forgotten and (unfortunately now) impossible album to find (Electroretard).

adamclark52 · #3 04-14-2012, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onioner

Anyone have any recommendations as to what Melvins albums I should listen to first?

Honestly, anything from the 1990's is their best work, IMO. Although it's not my favorite album by them, Houdini is the best place to start. It gives you the whole picture of the Melvins; straight-up rock, sludge and fucked-up experimentation, all in one album. After that try some more of their accessible work like Stoner Witch, Stag and three three latest albums with the Big Business guys as their drummer and bass player ((A) Senile Animal, Nude With Boots and the Bride Screamed Murder). None of those albums are their best albums but are the easiest to get into. If you like that get back to me and I'll get you into the good stuff.

Last year I posted my ranking of what I'd heard by them in the "Rank Your Favorite Bands Albums" thread, it went like this.
1. Lysol
2. the Maggot
3. Eggnog
4. Houdini
5. Bullhead
6. Honky
7. the Bootlicker
8. Pigs of the Roman Empire
9. Stag
10. the Crybaby
11. Prick
12. Electroretard
13. Joe Preston
14. King Buzzo
15. Dale Crover
16. Ozma
17. Colossus of Destiny
18. Stoner Witch
19. Hostile Ambient Takeover
20. Gluey Porch Treatments
21. (A) Senile Animal
22. The Bride Screamed Murder
23. Nude with Boots

Mind you, that's just my opinion. A lot of people like the three albums with the Big Business guys, I think they fucking suck. I'd say the new EP fits in around the middle, around 12-19.

Onioner · #4 04-14-2012, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamclark52

Honestly, anything from the 1990's is their best work, IMO. Although it's not my favorite album by them, Houdini is the best place to start. It gives you the whole picture of the Melvins; straight-up rock, sludge and fucked-up experimentation, all in one album. After that try some more of their accessible work like Stoner Witch, Stag and three three latest albums with the Big Business guys as their drummer and bass player ((A) Senile Animal, Nude With Boots and the Bride Screamed Murder). None of those albums are their best albums but are the easiest to get into. If you like that get back to me and I'll get you into the good stuff.

Thanks for the recommendations dude, I'll start off with Houdini then! Who knows when I'll be able to pick it up though, gotta love being on a college student budget right?

VelvetHarry · #5 04-15-2012, 08:25 AM

Maybe it's because it was the first one I had ever heard at that point but Stag is still my fav from them. That album is stellar. Going to see them on the 28th in PA.. looking forward to it thanks for the review!

RampinUp46 · #6 04-15-2012, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamclark52

Honestly, anything from the 1990's is their best work, IMO. Although it's not my favorite album by them, Houdini is the best place to start. It gives you the whole picture of the Melvins; straight-up rock, sludge and fucked-up experimentation, all in one album. After that try some more of their accessible work like Stoner Witch, Stag and three three latest albums with the Big Business guys as their drummer and bass player ((A) Senile Animal, Nude With Boots and the Bride Screamed Murder). None of those albums are their best albums but are the easiest to get into. If you like that get back to me and I'll get you into the good stuff.

Last year I posted my ranking of what I'd heard by them in the "Rank Your Favorite Bands Albums" thread, it went like this.
1. Lysol
2. the Maggot
3. Eggnog
4. Houdini
5. Bullhead
6. Honky
7. the Bootlicker
8. Pigs of the Roman Empire
9. Stag
10. the Crybaby
11. Prick
12. Electroretard
13. Joe Preston
14. King Buzzo
15. Dale Crover
16. Ozma
17. Colossus of Destiny
18. Stoner Witch
19. Hostile Ambient Takeover
20. Gluey Porch Treatments
21. (A) Senile Animal
22. The Bride Screamed Murder
23. Nude with Boots

Mind you, that's just my opinion. A lot of people like the three albums with the Big Business guys, I think they fucking suck. I'd say the new EP fits in around the middle, around 12-19.

I haven't heard much from The Melvins, and quite honestly, I've been trying to get into them for a while, but I just...haven't been able to (I had the same issue with Acid Bath, but then I heard "Dr. Seuss is Dead" and it sort of clicked for me). Would you still stick by this advice, or is there something else you'd recommend to start off with?

adamclark52 · #7 04-15-2012, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RampinUp46

I haven't heard much from The Melvins, and quite honestly, I've been trying to get into them for a while, but I just...haven't been able to (I had the same issue with Acid Bath, but then I heard "Dr. Seuss is Dead" and it sort of clicked for me). Would you still stick by this advice, or is there something else you'd recommend to start off with?

Yes, but remember that my favorite Melvins albums aren't their most accessible albums.

adamclark52 · #8 04-15-2012, 05:52 PM

Here's a wicked video that shows the Melvins at their prime.

And another.

MetalMarkLI · #9 04-15-2012, 05:59 PM

For all you Melvins n00bs out there i highly recommend making strong efforts to become Melvins fans. They are the shit. These are the albums I think you should start with in order:

1. Stoner Witch
2. Lysol EP
3. Bullhead
4. Eggnog
5. Houdini

If you don't like any of these then don't bother with the Melvins.

RampinUp46 · #10 04-15-2012, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamclark52

Yes, but remember that my favorite Melvins albums aren't their most accessible albums.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetalMarkLI

For all you Melvins n00bs out there i highly recommend making strong efforts to become Melvins fans. They are the shit. These are the albums I think you should start with in order:

1. Stoner Witch
2. Lysol EP
3. Bullhead
4. Eggnog
5. Houdini

If you don't like any of these then don't bother with the Melvins.

Okay, since you both seemed to favor Lysol, I checked that out first. I just now finished Hung Bunny (a song that reminded me of Sunn O))) and Eyehategod), and I'm really liking what I'm listening to.

After this, I'll check out Houdini, and then after that, hopefully I'll get some sleep. Thanks for the input guys, I appreciate it.