THE FUCK IMPLOSION
Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 at 10:19am by Gary Suarez
Even if you’re one of those people who only listen to metal, hardcore, or other such heavy music styles, you have to concede the fact that many of the musicians you love do not share that singular devotion to one genre. Some artists go even further and apply their broad tastes to the music they make. (Mike Patton might be one of the best examples of this.) That being said, I was admittedly quite surprised to learn that Melvins drummer Dale Crover plays on indie rocker Lou Barlow’s forthcoming solo album Goodnight Unknown. And not just on one track…
From the surging opening track “Sharing” to the surprisingly soulful performances on “The Right,” Goodnight Unknown benefits from Barlow’s tunefulness and his decision to record the record relatively quickly, with old friends and new. The Melvins’ Dale Crover adds inspired drum work throughout, and Goodnight Unknown’s urgent sound owes just as much to frequent Barlow collaborator Imaad Wasif (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, alaska!). The record’s considerable power also stems from the new talents on board, including producer Andrew Murdock and Lisa Germano.
Now before you all start whining, there’s a strong possibility that this new Barlow album might actually, um, rock. After all, Barlow is a founding member of the somewhat-recently reunited rockers Dinosaur Jr. The aforementioned Mr. Murdock previously produced Avenged Sevenfold’s Waking the Fallen, Chimaira’s debut Pass Out of Existence, Throwdown’s Venom and Tears… and, um, uhhh, like, ummm, oh jeez, Godsmack’s first two albums. Look, I’m not saying that “Mudrock” is going to squeeze a metal album out of the guy behind The Folk Implosion, but it might be the most palatable of his non-Dino releases for the metal audience. Come on, people: Dale Crover is playing drums on this fucking thing. That has got to count for something, right? Right?
If anyone needs me, I’ll be crying under my desk.
-GS
[Gary Suarez doesn't want to be the one who rides flame. He usually manages the consistently off-topic No Yoko No. Say, why don't you follow him on Twitter?]
Never cared for the Melvins. They are the indie rock of hard music. Are they even hard music??
Ya know…the more I think about it this doesn’t surprise me in the least. Dinosaur Jr. Sebadoh, and the Melvins all fall into a sort of fringe category for people who enjoy music which resides outside of normal barriers. I wouldn’t be surprised if former members of Guided By Voices have guest spots on this album. Its just weird music for weird people…not that there is anything remotely wrong with that.
they’re harder and better than most of the crap that passes for metal over the past 20 years. the opening riff of “boris” alone owns you….
To be honest, I’ve heard maybe 10 Melvins songs in my entire life. None of them particularly impressed me. It sounded like grunge played more slowly. Whether or not this song “Boris” was one of them I cannot say. Just not my thing…but my thing is Iron Maiden and I’m willing to bet they don’t share a lot of their fan base.
Their music is so diverse over the 26 years they been a band, that it is hard to comprehend from just 10 songs. They have over 25+ albums out and each album is very different. Basically, their earlier work is more heavy sludge, while the middle years are more metal/grunge, while the later experimental and hard rock. It is very hard if not impossible to categorizes the Melvins. .
Good points, all, which should make it even less surprising to the newly initiated that Mastodon frequently cite The Melvins as a major influence.
Considering that Crover was playing in a Maiden cover band when the Melvins recruited him, You just might be wrong. I love both Maiden and the Melvins. If you ever saw the Melvins live, you’d be a believer. No one pounds the drums like Crover, and I’ve seen him play with Lombardo.
I agree. The fact that their drummer appears on this doesn’t give me much of a reason to check this out.
I’ll pass.
Lou Barlow is great.
“Even if you’re one of those people who only listen to metal, hardcore, or other such heavy music styles, you have to concede the fact that many of the musicians you love do not share that singular devotion to one genre. Some artists go even further and apply their broad tastes to the music they make.”
THIS. As a matter of fact, that’s just about the most diplomatic way I’ve ever heard that sentiment expressed. Sure beats my usual expletive-ridden character assassinations against elitist hipsters with their heads up their asses, but to be fair to myself something about hearing fuckwits complain “BUT THAT’S NOT METAL” triggers in me a knee-jerk reaction to lock and load.
The fact is, most of the best artists of all genres are the ones who love music in just about every way it’s possible to compose and perform it and don’t limit themselves in their tastes and interests, so I’m not surprised when they push back at so-called fans who would try.
And to conclude (back on topic), I will say that it doesn’t surprise me that any member of The Melvins would eschew conformity, to include collaborating with an indie rocker; after all, that’s pretty much what they do as a matter of course. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I might check it out.
It’s not so bad for a regular music lover to listen to one genre of music, but not for a musician to. Makes for a really boring musician.
But for your average listener, 100% Okey dokey.
I suppose that’s fair to say. I would venture to offer the analogy that listening to only one kind of music for your entire life must be something like eating the exact same thing for every meal your entire life — I imagine even steak would get old after a while. But to each their own and I have more evidence than not from personal experience that most people seem to think it’s reasonable to listen to the same thing all the time. I guess you win.
the Melvins have always done their own thing, and played by their own rules. They played live with Kiss, Tool, and did a a tour will Jello Biafra. So it is no surprise that Dale would play on this record. BTW, Dale use to play in a Iron Maiden cover band before the Melvins.
“Even if you’re one of those people who only listen to metal, hardcore, or other such heavy music styles”
In said case, those people (myself included) won’t know who the fuck anyone is in this article.
Who the fuck are the Melvins? I thought that guy was a picture of Mark Greenway when he had longer hair.
Good job on being a proudly uninformed moron with no sense of history!
I didn’t know recognizing a fairly unimportant band means you have a sense of history. Nice try on the one-up out of nothing. Fucking kids.
SP420 is the reason I hate most metalheads.
right, a fairly unimportant incredibly influential and well-known band. pull your head out of your ass, junior.
Well at least he knows who Barney Greenway is. It’s the same person, by the way, just in case they didn’t know that.