Riffipedia - The Stoner Rock Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Basses Loaded
Basses Loaded
Studio album by Melvins
Released June 3 2016
Recorded at Sounds of Sirens Studios in , San Francisco, California, USA
Genre Sludge Metal, Alternative Rock
Length 45:49
Producer Toshi Kasai; Melvins
Melvins chronology
Three Men And A Baby
(2016)
Basses Loaded
(2016)
Hung Bunny / Roman Dog Bird
(2016)

Basses Loaded is a studio album by The Melvins, released in the Summer of 2016 via Ipecac Recordings. As the baseball pun implies, the album features multiple bassists and barring compilations such as Singles 1-12 and Neither Here Nor There, features the most bassists of any Melvins album. It features every member that has been a part of the Melvins over the previous decade, centered around the many bass guitar players to have passed through the band. Along with the double-drum lineup, Melvins 1983 and Melvins Lite appearing in some capacity, Steven Shane McDonald of Redd Kross and OFF! makes his debut with the Melvins. Notably Nirvana co-founder Krist Novoselic makes a guest appearance.[1]

Basses Loaded would garner a generally positive reception, averaging a 71/100 score on Metacritic.[2]

Background[]

Various EPs would be released in 2015 and following the last tour of the four-piece double-drum lineup, along with touring with Jeff Pinkus (Butthole Surfers), Steven McDonald would join the band in 2015 as the new bassist for the band. Details on the album would surface in March 2016.[3] a music video for "Hideous Woman" would be released by Ipecac. Notably, playing on the subtle baseball pun, MLB.com would stream the album (Omitting "Shaving Cream" for profanity) on 31 May 2016.[4]

A version of the song "Choco Plumbing" appeared on the Cartoon Network program Uncle Grandpa in the episode "Uncle Melvins".[5] It is also notably the last Melvins song to date featuring Jared Warren and Coady Willis.

Buzz Osborne would speak at length about the album with Rolling Stone, including the guest spot with Krist Novoselic (Nirvana). The band had material recorded with Novoselic and had intended to record Nirvana songs with Dave Grohl. Buzz would state that Osborne, Crover, Novoselic and David Yow would be rehearsing to which Grohl would no-show. So the Melvins would quickly record a song with Novoselic in "Maybe I Am Amused" [6] Notably, "Planet Destructo" had been written in the 90s and an abridged, early version of the song had been performed live in 1996.

Basses Loaded would be released in June of 2016, with the band touring North America and Europe to support the album. Basses Loaded garnered mostly positive reviews. The Quietus would humorously rank the songs based on the bassist and while lauding "Maybe I Am Amused" and "Planet Destructo", would praise McDonald's performance, along with "Captain Come Down" and "Choco Plumbing".[7] Pop Matters would award a 7/10, citing the record as "Undoubtedly solid, diverse and finding well good use of its plethora of bass players".[8] The Line of Best Fit would award a 6/10 and while praising the light-hearted and jovial nature of the record, felt that " much of these numbers come across as unfocused jam sessions rather than cohesive, distinctive tracks.".[9] Pitchfork would rate the album a 5.5/10, stating "Basses Loaded plays more like compilation of B-sides culled from multiple recording sessions spanning several years.". They would however praise "Maybe I Am Amused", stating that it "legitimately goes down avenues the band hasn't explored before. Novoselic's accordion injects shades of Eastern gypsy folk music and singer/songwriter folk into the Melvins sound, reminding us that the Melvins have remarkable range given how doggedly they've stuck to their guns."[10]

Blabbermouth would notably praise the album with a 9/10 score, stating "It's yet another exhibition of why the MELVINS are one of America's most essential bands. Whether they take two drummers out on tour or, wet-dream fulfillment, they do a special gig with all six bassists appearing on this slab, a MELVINS event is the event of its respective fragment of time.".[11] Other notable reviews would come from the likes of Consequence of Sound (B-),[12] New Noise Magazine (3/5),[13] Treble Zine,[14] Spectrum Culture,[15] Music OMH (3.5/5),[16] The Sleeping Shaman[17] and MetalWani (8.8/10).[18]

Vinyl[]

Prior to the release of Basses Loaded, nine of the twelve tracks had been released on vinyl through various releases on Amphetamine Reptile Records. On 6 June 2015 Melvins and Le Butcherettes would release a 10" Split EP entitled Chaos As Usual, featuring "Captain Comedown" and "Industrial Art", the latter exclusive about that split.[19] On 30 September 2015 AmRep would release a 10" EP entitled Beer Hippy, featuring the Melvins 1983 lineup.[20] Lastly, McDonald's first recordings with the band would be in form of the War Pussy EP, released on 16 January 2016.[21]

Ipecac's vinyl release would notably only feature eight of the twelve tracks due to vinyl limitations, omitting "Shaving Cream", "Maybe I Am Amused", "Phyllis Dillard" and "Take Me Out To The Ball Game". This would be met with negative reception.[22]

Tracklist[]

All songs written by Melvins except where noted.

  • 1. The Decay of Lying (6:35)
  • 2. Choco Plumbing (4:11)
  • 3. Beer Hippie (5:15)
  • 4. I Want To Tell You (3:13) (George Harrison)
  • 5. Captain Come Down (2:54)
  • 6. Hideous Woman (3:04)
  • 7. Shaving Cream (2:31) (Traditional; Benny Bell)
  • 8. Planet Destructo (6:05)
  • 9. War Pussy (2:47)
  • 10. Maybe I Am Amused (2:45)
  • 11. Phyllis Dillard (4:21)
  • 12. Take Me Out To The Ball Game (2:07) (Traditional; Jack Norworth, Albert Von Tilzer)

Personnel[]

  • Buzz Osborne - Guitar, Vocals (All Tracks)
  • Dale Crover - Drums (1, 2, 4 - 6, 8 - 10); Bass (3, 7, 11, 12); Vocals
  • Steven McDonald - Bass, Vocals (1, 4, 6, 9)
  • Jared Warren - Bass, Vocals (2)
  • Coady Willis - Drums, Vocals (2)
  • Mike Dillard - Drums, Vocals (3, 7, 11, 12)
  • Jeff Pinkus - Bass (5)
  • Trevor Dunn - Bass (8)
  • Krist Novoselic - Bass, Accordion (10)
  • Kristy Joy - Backing Vocals
  • Toshi Kasai - Engineer, Producer
  • John Golden - Mastering
  • Mackie Osborne - Artwork, Design

External Links[]

References[]

  V·T·E Melvins
Current Members Buzz OsborneDale CroverSteven McDonald
Past Members Mike DillardMatt LukinLori BlackJoe PrestonMark DeutromKevin RutmanisTrevor DunnJared WarrenCoady WillisJeff Pinkus
Albums Gluey Porch TreatmentsOzmaBullheadLysolHoudiniPrickStoner WitchStagHonkyThe MaggotThe BootlickerThe CrybabyElectroretardHostile Ambient TakeoverPigs of The Roman EmpireNever Breathe What You Can't See(A) Senile AnimalNude With BootsThe Bride Screamed MurderFreak PukeEverybody Loves SausagesTres CabronesHold It InThree Men And A BabyBasses LoadedA Walk With Love and DeathPinkus Abortion TechnicianWorking With GodFive Legged DogBad Mood RisingThrobbing Jazz Gristle Funk HitsTarantula Heart
Select Extended Plays and Splits Six SongsEggnogNight GoatKing Buzzo (EP)Dale Crover (EP)Joe Preston (EP)Interstellar OverdriveSmash The StateSludge GlamorousHurray For Me Fuk YouThe Bulls & The BeesHigh Desert OverdoseSteven McDonald (EP)SabbathHot FishBangersEscape From LAWhite Lazy BoyMulletSlithering SlaughterThe Devil You Knew, The Devil You KnowControlling Data For a Better Feeling Future
Live Albums & Videos Your Choice Live Vol. 12Salad of a Thousand DelightsTora Tora ToraAlive At The F*cker ClubLive At Slim's 8-Track TapeColossus of DestinyA Live History of Gluttony and LustThe EndMelvins Vs. MinneapolisPick Your BattlesEndless ResidencySugar Daddy LiveMelvins Live At Third Man RecordsAround The USA in 51 Days: The Movie!The Colossus of Destiny: A Melvins TaleLive Stream Obscene
Compilations Singles 1-1226 SongsNeither Here Nor ThereMangled Demos From 1983Sieg Howdy!The Making Love DemosChicken Switch
Associated Bands and Artists Nirvana • Fantomas • Butthole Surfers • Redd Kross • Mr. Bungle • AltamontPorn (The Men Of)ShrinebuilderOFF!Crystal FairyCrystal Fairy (Album)Big BusinessBilly AndersonAcid KingSawed OffMelvanaDrumbWe Reach: The Music of The Melvins
Advertisement