Somehow this was edited and most of what I wrote is gone :(.....
But I will try to re-tell the story. I was always a huge Melvins fan...then when I was young I bought Prick on cassette in the store. After Houdini I couldn't eait to hear the new album...well I was pissed. Long story short...I sorta stopped listening to them for a while until HAT dropped, at which point I discovered Stoner Witch and Stag. Somehow the Trilogy got lost in the sauce....last 4th of July Weekend I was fortunate enough to pick up a copy on vinyl. I locked myself in my house with the records and a nice bag of Pineapple Trainwreck. The following are the reviews and results from a die-hard Melvins fan listening to and loving the Trilogy for the first time ever. With the exception of Smells Like Teen Spirit and Let It All Be I had never heard any of the other songs previously.
The Maggot- This is the reason I had to have this set and it is well worth it even if the other two suck! :lol: I just listened to it and wow, this might end up being one of my favorite Melvins albums. I really love it. After I heard it all the way through I flipped it back over and began to immediately play it again with no hesitation. On a scale of 1 to 10 this one goes to 11! I seriously just had to listen to it twice to make sure it was real! I love this fucking album, I cannot stress that enough. Did you know I fucking love it!?!? :P
(Edit: I didn't single out any specific tracks on this one because they are all good and it was impossible to pick one over the other, although I prefer the second AMAZON track that's all caps to the lowercase one)
The Bootlicker- I really dig this one too. I love that they went a totally different direction. I couldn't handle another awesome heavy album after just being blown away my The Maggot anyways! Let it All be, Mary Bobbykins, and Jew Boy Flowerhead were the standouts at first listen. I also love the way the albums engs with Prig. This album is very trippy and psychedelic. I need to hear it a few more times but I'm feeling it. I recently read an article where Buzzo said they didn't even use amps they just plugged the guitars in direct with no amp modelling or anything. It almost sounds like that could be a true statement even tho the album sounds damn good. Anyone know the facts on that or if Buzz was just kidding?
The Crybaby After listening I will say I do like this album, but for me it only works as a part 3 of the trilogy. It almost feels like the bonus disc, the end of the process where the Melvins had fun. Keep in mind I have the vinyl so I'm missing the last 4 songs or so. Instrumentally they got Teen Spirit near perfect, that track makes me laugh though. Leif Garret...ha! The Mike Patton one was easy to spot, it almost sounded like a lost Peeping Tom track. For me the standout tracks were Mine is No Disgrace and Divorced. So in summation... Crybaby is great and fun part three to the trilogy. I appreciate it for what it is.
No matter what limited shit they release in the future that I can't afford, I'll always be okay because I have the Trilogy on vinyl. It was my Holy Grail, I love it, the cover art is fantastic, and the records nice and offensive.
Dan this is a funny and awesome story. I think we all have bands we drift away from for one reason or another and then can't believe what we missed out on in retrospect.
Thankfully you made the right decision tho to check out the Trilogy. For my money the bands crowning achievement so far. Im not so taken on about half of The Crybaby as that is definitely the poorest of the bunch but the other two are fantastic. The Maggot is such a rocking record and is my favourite Melvins album by far. Don't let me put you off Crybaby tho. For the few tunes that i dislike there are a few REALLY great songs too.
Im looking forward to your next report back. :)
Quote from: Dan_Halen on July 03, 2012, 11:16:56 PM
I recently read an article where Buzzo said they didn't even use amps they just plugged the guitars in direct with no amp modelling or anything. It almost sounds like that could be a true statement even tho the album sounds damn good. Anyone know the facts on that or if Buzz was just kidding?
it is possible. consider that they did something similar on Freak Puke
maggot
bootlicker
colossus of destiny
Quote from: )))((( on July 04, 2012, 05:22:12 AM
Im looking forward to your next report back. :)
Thanks, just had my morning coffee and gave The Crybaby a spin, review updated up top.
Quote from: black stallion on July 04, 2012, 07:22:00 AM
Quote from: Dan_Halen on July 03, 2012, 11:16:56 PM
I recently read an article where Buzzo said they didn't even use amps they just plugged the guitars in direct with no amp modelling or anything. It almost sounds like that could be a true statement even tho the album sounds damn good. Anyone know the facts on that or if Buzz was just kidding?
it is possible. consider that they did something similar on Freak Puke
Yes but Buzz still used an amp. It is easy to make bass sound good directly plugged in, in fact 50% of the time an engineer will prefer that method of recording. Guitar however, usually sounds like crap when plugged in directly with no amp or modeling software. I do believe this is how they recorded it, and my hat is off to the engineer because he made it sound great and almost unnoticeable.
Quote from: azathoth rising on July 03, 2012, 11:20:13 PM
No matter what limited shit they release in the future that I can't afford, I'll always be okay because I have the Trilogy on vinyl. It was my Holy Grail, I love it, the cover art is fantastic, and the records nice and offensive.
Well said sir, it is an amazing package. Ipecac does a nice job on the limited edition vinyls, as long as they aren't warped :lol:
Quote from: Dan_Halen on July 03, 2012, 11:17:47 PM
For me the standout tracks were Mine is No Disgrace and Divorced.
I see it EXACTLY the same too.
Quote from: )))((( on July 04, 2012, 10:26:50 AM
Quote from: Dan_Halen on July 03, 2012, 11:17:47 PM
For me the standout tracks were Mine is No Disgrace and Divorced.
I see it EXACTLY the same too.
i'd add the man with laughing hand is dead and the song with HANK III. let's not talk about that track with Patton #-o
Quote from: black stallion on July 04, 2012, 12:12:38 PM
Quote from: )))((( on July 04, 2012, 10:26:50 AM
Quote from: Dan_Halen on July 03, 2012, 11:17:47 PM
For me the standout tracks were Mine is No Disgrace and Divorced.
I see it EXACTLY the same too.
i'd add the man with laughing hand is dead and the song with HANK III. let's not talk about that track with Patton #-o
That is the sickest title...wish I could hear the song but alas it was left off the vinyl version of the crybaby. :(
Quote from: black stallion on July 04, 2012, 12:12:38 PM
Quote from: )))((( on July 04, 2012, 10:26:50 AM
Quote from: Dan_Halen on July 03, 2012, 11:17:47 PM
For me the standout tracks were Mine is No Disgrace and Divorced.
I see it EXACTLY the same too.
i'd add the man with laughing hand is dead and the song with HANK III. let's not talk about that track with Patton #-o
I forgot that one. It's another highlight for sure. It's funny how both Maggot and Bootlicker are about 40 minutes long yet Crybaby way over that. It would have been a truly killer (and concise) album featuring just the songs Divorced, Mine.. and The Man With...
Quote from: Dan_Halen on July 04, 2012, 12:20:29 PM
That is the sickest title...wish I could hear the song but alas it was left off the vinyl version of the crybaby. :(
You may notice the bassline pops up in 'A History Of Bad Men' too!
Melvins / Bliss Blood - The Man With The Laughing Hand Is Dead (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QDQPcZzkzY#)
That song is amazing...why the fuck didn't they put that on the vinyl and leave teen spirit off!?!? lol
i dont on the trilogy on vinyl but if i did and the crybaby didnt have the man with the laughing head is dead on it i would cry.
if i did own it i would leave the maggot on my record player all the time. 2 reasons 1 AMAZON and 2 giant swastika
Haha well the side with AMAZON has the swastika on it, I prefer the Jewish star side. I like Kosher Melvins!!!
Quote from: Dan_Halen on July 05, 2012, 10:31:01 PM
I prefer the Jewish star side. I like Kosher Melvins!!!
:lol:
You're missing out on Moon Pie too! Very cool way to end the album.
Melvins - The Crybaby - 11 - Moon Pie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQGSbT1RW_4#ws)
Cool way to end the album for sure. That's one thing that separates true artists from hacks in my opinion. The way you start and end an album, and the Melvins never fall short in those cases. As far as the trilogy, the way the Bootlicker ends with Prig after all the nosie is superb!
Hehe! Great review! :D I chuckled out loud when you told the story about buying Prick. I didn't like that album at first, but now I do. Not by any means even close to being a favorite, but 40 or so listens later ( :o) I admit it's kinda grown on me.
The Trilogy is an absolute gem - and I consider Maggot to be one of their best efforts to date. It's so tough. I've tried to pick a favorite Melvins album, and can't do it. However; Maggot, Bullhead, Ozma, COD and Eggnog might be my all-time top choices. And dude (and I mean dude in the most sincere of ways) I friggin love COD but I'm glad you didn't buy it as a second run after Prick!! If you did, you might not be here with us today. I'm glad you're here and I love reading your enthusiasm for these records....
The Crybaby is another album that took a really long time to grow on me. I don't think it would have the same influence on me if it wasn't a part of The Trilogy. It has a lot of great tracks, still doesn't really hold my attention as a whole. Bootlicker is a total bed-time and or/make-out album. It has lots of cow-bell, which helps soothe my nerves. (I don't believe I've tried the making out part, but it''s on my list of things to do before I die) Maggot is just a hard and heavy punch in the ovary. I cannot listen to that album and not bang my head in slow-mo for the entire 40 minutes. The repetitive precision is just pure genius.
I'll end this note by saying I am real glad to hear you scored the vinyl. I consider it to be one of their best releases to date.
Quote from: JUDY on July 16, 2012, 11:15:10 AM
The Crybaby is another album that took a really long time to grow on me. I don't think it would have the same influence on me if it wasn't a part of The Trilogy. It has a lot of great tracks, still doesn't really hold my attention as a whole. Bootlicker is a total bed-time and or/make-out album. It has lots of cow-bell, which helps soothe my nerves. (I don't believe I've tried the making out part, but it''s on my list of things to do before I die)
Like i said before, the Crybaby is the bonus album to the trilogy. It only makes sense at a part 3. We gave you 2 great albums and now the Melvins get to have some fun and some covers and collaborations. They got permission from Patton as long as he could be involved! haha
LMFAO at Bootlicker being a make out album. I can picture me bringing a fine lady home after an enchanted evening. I am wearing my Hue Heffner style smoking jacket...I pop the cork on the Champagne (ala the "continental from SNL) and I put on the Bootlicker album on the hi-fi. I look into the lady's eyes and say, "I seldom bring a lady home to make out, but when I do i put on The Bootlicker" :lol:
I agree, the Maggot is the winner here, a beautiful masterpiece and def in my top 5 Melvins albums. They hadda make the bootlicker chill because I think even they knew they couldn't put anything else out right away that would top The Maggot. It's almost like they knew the listeners needed to chill after the Maggot's intensity. They even threw in cowbell sxo you wouldn't be so tense Judy! :P
Hey smart people,. how long is the LP version of Divorced...the track sleeve for the LP is identical to the CD, except Everything after divorced doesnt make it on the press.
The version of Divorced on the Vinyl comes in after the synth pad at the beggining of the CD...how much shorter is the track.
Quote from: Dumpster D on May 01, 2014, 11:42:10 PM
Hey smart people,. how long is the LP version of Divorced...the track sleeve for the LP is identical to the CD, except Everything after divorced doesnt make it on the press.
The version of Divorced on the Vinyl comes in after the synth pad at the beggining of the CD...how much shorter is the track.
simple, use your tool to figure it out! :P
Quote from: Dumpster D on May 01, 2014, 11:42:10 PM
Hey smart people,. how long is the LP version of Divorced...the track sleeve for the LP is identical to the CD, except Everything after divorced doesnt make it on the press.
The version of Divorced on the Vinyl comes in after the synth pad at the beggining of the CD...how much shorter is the track.
On the CD, "Divorced" is 14:43, on the vinyl it is about 12:48.
Yeh shorter,... But, BUT...I notice the Vinyl master is slightly better somehow in many subtle nuances, The synth comes through better overall at the intro for one, plus at the end too there is a bunch of great synth happening.
wether thats the effect of the digital recording as its being rendered back to analog format and losing some sibilance I cant say, probly the Record Distortion sweetens it up a bit.
Quote from: williamblakestyger on July 04, 2012, 09:17:06 AM
maggot
bootlicker
colossus of destiny
Something i always heard (probably on here) is that COD was originally going to be the 3rd release of the three instead of The Crybaby which we got. Thinking about the trilogy as a whole, i actually think that would have been better and made more sense. The Maggot being the heavy one, Bootlicker being the quiet, laidback release and then a full on noise album with COD. The three different sides of Melvins. As it is, The Crybaby doesn't really make much sense being a collaboration record coupled with the previous two. Even the title 'The Crybaby' seems to fit COD better being that people might really not like it!
I can see it and it's more fitting as the third installment. Like the last hour of a Scorsese film.
The Crybaby belongs in the bucket of oddball collaboration releases with Joe/Dale/Buzzo/Steven EPs, Singles1-12, Everybody Loves Raymonges, and maybe Chicken Switch and Hold It In. Notice none of the songs originating here have stayed in rotation unless you count some half ass acapella renditions of "Okie."
I like to think they chose to make the nightmare a standalone film (COD) and instead ended the epic with a freaky party (Crybaby). So now we can enjoy either the feature film or the director's cut (no pun intended.) Films which release bleak alternate endings probably live longer with me because it leaves a mystery to ponder for eternity.
Lame aside: I should get a life. Feels so dumb to live in Los Angeles and not have anyone in the neighborhood with whom I can actually bloviate and play my favorite records.
Hope Dan Halen has notifications turned on for this post.... and gets his ass back here! :shock: