The Melvins - (A) Senile Animal [Ipecac Records - 2006]For some reason over the years myself and The Melvins don’t seem to crossed paths. I guess I saw them as been connected to the Whole Grunge thing and then later just a quirky metal band with the guy with big hair.This was a huge oversight on my Part- (A) Senile monster is a wonderfully rocking, chugging riff, drummed up metal come punk masterpiece- that seems to balance perfectly the need for memorable songs with depth and inventive song structure. I really can think of an another almost straight rocking album I’ve enjoyed so much in a very long time, well certainly not this year. Blood Witch finds chugging riffaram, with very neat drum layers and precussive elements. This is apparently is the first time the band has used two drummers, and it really adds to the sound here in such a wonderful dense manner, with all manner of rhythmic fills and layers of percussive sound. A History of drunks finds a hummable as hell bassy punked trashed up riff, with some neat hand claps. Second from last we get the wonderful longer more doomy beast of The Mechanical bride - with some rituals about to being cymbal hits and all manner of other rhythmic bits and bobs- the band sounding wonderful mix of prime evil and horrific cartoon like. Really There’s not a wrong step though out, every track offer one treat or another. The most enjoyable addictive rocking album to pass me this year. It’s caughty, rhythmic, heavy, and above all fun. Don’t make my mistake if you’ve not taken a good hit of the Melvin’s before, Do so now! Roger Batty
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