Basses Loaded

Like the great American filmmaker , have learned that a gimmick is a big help in getting folks to pay attention to what you're doing. The grunge pioneers have a long, rich tradition of creatively rearranging their membership, and for a band obsessed with a thick and heavy low end, they've taken the logical step and made an album with a rotating lineup of bass players. feature six different bassists scattered among its 12 tracks, including (of and ), (from ( ), and (formerly of , and some band from Aberdeen). ' longtime drummer even gets into the act, handling the four-strings on four numbers. ' twin trademarks of thundering heaviness and snarky wit are audible throughout the album. , the guy with the best-documented pop sensibility of this project, is the one who brings in a cover, though "I Want to Tell You" ends up referencing "Helter Skelter" once they're done with it. ( also shows off his love for on "War Pussy.") 's busy upright bass lines lend a coda of jazz and prog rock to "Planet Distructo"'s metallic assault. And seems to be the go-to guy when just want to be silly on covers of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" and "Shaving Cream" (beware, unlike on 's famous recording, these men have no truck with shaving cream), though 's appearance on "Maybe I Am Amused" is goofy in a truly ambitious manner. 's trademark guitar style, clever but bludgeoning, gives its greatest stylistic unity, and 's drumming is outstanding throughout. ~ Mark Deming