Album of the Day

ALBUM OF THE DAY: MELISSA AUF DER MAUR’S AUF DER MAUR

  • Gary Suarez
40

Though best known for her bass work in Hole and The Smashing Pumpkins, Melissa Auf der Maur is a formidable solo artist in her own right. In 2004, she dropped her self-titled debut Auf der Maur, a clamorous yet thoroughly melodic effort. Guests on the record read like an alt. rock primer: Eric Erlandson, James Iha, Mark Lanegan, and John Stanier played on it, along with pretty much everyone who was in Queens Of The Stone Age at the time. Lead single “Followed The Waves” (video above) showcases heavier tendencies merely hinted at on Celebrity Skin and singularly puts to shame that gothic schlock that passes for female-fronted metal these days. Auf der Maur is the real deal, devoid of gimmicks and gaudy glamour shots, and it frustrates me that it didn’t get more traction post-release.

Tonight, Auf der Maur plays a special one-off concert at New York’s Highline Ballroom. I cannot stress enough to anyone familiar with her work how rare an opportunity this is. I sure as hell wont be missing this one.

-GS

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