LP - Melvins - Ozma / Bullhead - 2xLP Reissue
BACK ON VINYL FOR FIRST TIME IN 15 YEARS!!!
"This double-LP package combines two of the earliest releases from
the often imitated but never duplicated Melvins. Formed in the
early-’80s in the scenic wonderland known as Aberdeen, WA, the band took
inspiration from Black Flag, Black Sabbath, Venom, Flipper, Stooges and
other floggers of high-energy, low-velocity plod. Today, more than 30
years later, they might be more popular than ever. Slow and steady wins
the race.
Disc one is Ozma, from 1989, which was recorded soon after their move
from Washington to San Francisco, and was their first release to include
the diminutive yet mighty Lorax (Lori Temple Black) on bass. In fact,
the first sound one hears at the album’s opening is Lori standing on her
tiptoes to switch on her amp, thereby warning the listener of the
onslaught to come. Distorted, down-tuned doom riffs start, stop, lurch
sideways with no warning, and seem to end before they start. Buzz
Osborne adds extraneous guitar static and vocal squeals. Drummer Dale
Crover plays as if he’s inside a barrel going over Niagara Falls; the
long, slow fall allows the space between beats to grow and grow until he
crashes into the water with the vessel blasting apart in an explosion
of drum rolls. The classic Melvins heavy grind is set up and broken up
by assorted odd sidetracks: “Revulsion / We Reach” flows forward slower
and slower until it eventually melts into a gooey feedback drone. “Raise
a Paw” is a superball paddled against one’s head by a grinning village
idiot. “Love Thing” enlists in the Kiss Army before getting dishonorably
discharged.
Disc two is Bullhead, from 1991. The songs are longer, the mood is
calmer, yet more menacing. “Boris” (which gave the Japanese group their
name) is a long, slow, low death march of addiction and self-abuse.
“Zodiac” is a frantic punk rock machine gun blasting away at Buzz’s
demons (both inner and outer). “Cow” is a happy baboon bashing away at
the best drum solo of his life. “It’s Shoved” is a groovy beat for the
cast of Shindig to bop along to, until their carefree performances of
The Pony, The Mashed Potato, and The Watusi are horribly interrupted by
the soundstage tilting up and sliding them all into a mangled heap of
screaming dancers, broken cameras and flaming electronic equipment at
the bottom.
The LPs have been remastered and are back in print on vinyl for the
first time in 15 years. The new gatefold packaging includes
never-before-seen vintage photos, as well as the original artwork and
insert, all tidied up and ready to meet Mom and Dad. Free download (with
one extra track) is included." - Boner
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