Like the great American filmmaker
William Castle
,
the Melvins
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.
Basses Loaded
feature six different bassists scattered among its 12 tracks, including
Steven McDonald
(of
Redd Kross
and
OFF!
),
Jeff Pinkus
(from
the Butthole Surfers
Honky
Trevor Dunn
(
Mr. Bungle
Fantomas
Jared Warren
Big Business
), and
Krist Novoselic
(formerly of
Sweet 75
Eyes Adrift
, and some band from Aberdeen).
The Melvins
' longtime drummer
Dale Crover
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
Beatles
cover, though "I Want to Tell You" ends up referencing "Helter Skelter" once they're done with it. (
McDonald
also shows off his love for
Black Sabbath
on "War Pussy.")
's busy upright bass lines lend a coda of jazz and prog rock to "Planet Distructo"'s metallic assault. And
Crover
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
Benny Bell
's famous recording, these men have no truck with shaving cream), though
Novoselic
's appearance on "Maybe I Am Amused" is goofy in a truly ambitious manner.
Buzz Osborne
's trademark guitar style, clever but bludgeoning, gives
its greatest stylistic unity, and
's drumming is outstanding throughout. ~ Mark Deming