STAG

[The Chalupa]

if you're lucky www.half.com may have it used for a reasonable price

[musefreek]

I was listening to Stag again last night and think it is genuinely a brilliant album. Now I only have the Atlantic albums so far and was wondering:

Considering all the Melvins albums, is Stag a standout album? Is it noticably different from the rest? Is it like a one-off?

I think Hide is a beautiful piece of instrumental. Cottonmouth brings a smile to my face and Tipping the Lion freakin' awesome.

What are the b-sides like on the singles for the album? Is it sort of the same?

What a bloody shame I discovered this band 20 years after they formed!

[eddie]

There is nothing else like Stag in terms of variety. You get it all here! I hear from this board that if you like this you will like "The Silent Treatment" by Mark D.

[Reverend Ebeneezer]

B-sides? You know something I don't? As far as I know the only 'single' that exists is a promo EP for Bar-X or The Bit with 3 other album tracks. Mind you, I'm a lazy sod and can't be arsed to look in the discography section so I might be wrong...

In any case, Stag is pretty unique I'm afraid. Well, Prick is probably the most similar but only in the way that it has a great deal of variety, but then Prick isn't anywhere near as 'musical' as Stag. The Melvs were on to a great thing with Mark D, and it's a shame that Buzz booted him. No disrespect to Kevin, but the Atlantic trilogy are far and away the best Melvins records.

Mind you, if you're after a thrill similar Stag's precursor, Stoner Witch, I'd suggest Hostile Ambient Takeover...

[blacksanta]

There are no B-sides per se, but Tipping the Lion B aka Tipping the Lion on Electroretard, Interstellar Overdrive, In the Rain, and Specimen all came from the same sessions. Weird how they didn't credit Mark D in the Electroretard credits.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Atlantic era was by far the best...

but the ipepac trilogy is killer and HAT rules... Damn, if only they'd stayed the Mark D way though. Some of the best music I've ever heard.

[Reverend Ebeneezer]

Atlantic era was by far the best...

but the ipepac trilogy is killer and HAT rules... Damn, if only they'd stayed the Mark D way though. Some of the best music I've ever heard.

Indeed, although I felt that the Ipecac trilogy could in no way stand up to the Atlantic releases simply because they counted Crybaby as part of it...Also, while we're at it, anyone think that Bootlicker is really Kevin's album? There's so much bass and so little guitar it seems like a record where Kevin aimed to 'prove himself'...

[Joe Deutrom]

I will concur by saying Stag and Stoner Witch are the Melvins' most accessable releases musically. Stag, in my opinion is a Melvins standout album for its variety and studiowork that was used to produce it, as it was the most experimental broadening of their sound to date. When I first saw the Melvins live in 96, I had a chance to talk to Buzz before the show and he was quite happy with Stag; he said it was their best album so far. Of course, Buzz does say this about all of their albums though. Fear not though, I am confident the Melvins will continue to enthrall us with challenging records. I just think Stag is a standout for them. The other notable mentions from their catalog are: H.A.T., Snivlem, Colossus Of Destiny, Electroretard; and even Joe Preston's Melvins solo. These recordings are showcases to the Melvins' willingness to experiment, much to the chagrin of some.

[anaconda]

very well written and expressed simon. cool!

[anaconda]

p.s. the Mark D era of the band will never be matched.
People don't know it but Prick, Honky, the Atlantic releases
all have his heavy hand all over them! he was a better
pure rock lead guitarist than Buzz at the time that Stag was
recorded. People also don't realize that Mark was their main
live soundman/studio tech guy since 91 before he even
joined the band.

the Kevin era has begun and he is a totallty different trip.
Just as exciting but in his own twisted way.

Anyways I think we haven't heard the last of Mark D.

[bUcKsAtAn]

Anyways I think we haven't heard the last of Mark D.

i hope not

[Hog log]

There is nothing else like Stag in terms of variety. You get it all here! I.

Stag contains varied styles, it's true, but the sound is homogeneous. That  makes its unit .

(hi ! i'm new to the board)

[grachan]

I truly love Houdini and almost all of Stag...But Stoner Witch gets far fewer plays due to a little song on there that I can't stand..It makes my skin crawl with it's awfulness...Revolve. It's annoying having to turn a song right down but it really makes me cringe. For me it's the lowest point in their entire career.

[Joe Deutrom]

p.s. the Mark D era of the band will never be matched.
People don't know it but Prick, Honky, the Atlantic releases
all have his heavy hand all over them! he was a better
pure rock lead guitarist than Buzz at the time that Stag was
recorded. People also don't realize that Mark was their main
live soundman/studio tech guy since 91 before he even
joined the band.

the Kevin era has begun and he is a totallty different trip.
Just as exciting but in his own twisted way.

Anyways I think we haven't heard the last of Mark D.

I cannot believe that I forgot to add Honky to the list! It is an experimental standout as well and is one of my favorite Melvins release.
By the way, Anaconda, thank you for the compliment concerning my post.

[Aggroculture]

As far as I am concerned, Mark D's 'The Silent Treatment' is very disappointing. It sounds like Melvins, but there's definitely something missing. I've tried to like it and listened to it again and again, but it just washes over me and the songs just don't 'stick'.