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Mudhoney - March to Fuzz |
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ALBUM REVIEWSPick of the Chick: Our Favorite Releases, 1999-Present |
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So, you're a grunge aficionado. You've got all the albums by Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden. You've got ALL the best music grunge ever had to offer. Or do you? Got any Mudhoney? Although bands like Nirvana became the poster children for grunge, Mudhoney was one of the first bands on the Seattle scene. They were also one of the most important. Mudhoney exuded more raw punk energy than all of the other grunge bands combined. And it was Mudhoney's music that set the stage for grunge's world domination. Mudhoney called it quits in 1999, but Sub Pop has just released a two-CD (or, if you prefer, three-record) retrospective called March to Fuzz. The first disc features the best material off of Mudhoney's seven studio albums and numerous singles. All of the classic tracks are here, including "Touch Me I'm Sick," "You Got It," and "Let It Slide." This is distorted guitar fuzz at its best. Tracks with titles like "Judgement, Rage, Retribution, and Thyme" show Mudhoney didn't take themselves too seriously. This factor probably kept the band from hitting it big, but it adds to their charm and distinguishes them from those that did. The second disc contains 30 tracks of rarities and B-sides. The CD demonstrates Mudhoney's range and shows that these guys were more than a one-dimensional grunge band. They explore surf, alternative country, new wave, pure punk, and even metal. There are some interesting covers here, including Elvis Costello's "Pump it Up" (from the PCU soundtrack), the Angry Samoans's "You Stupid Asshole," and the Damned's "Stab Your Back." This disc features other covers ranging from Roxy Music's "Editions of You" to Motorhead's "Over the Top." March to Fuzz is a great way to flesh out your grunge collection. And, of course, Mudhoney gives you the kind of indie credibility that Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden just can't deliver. PIGEONHOLE: Classic grunge from one of Seattle's
most important (yet under-recognized) bands.
Andrew Helminger |
MUDHONEY
