ALBUM REVIEW: Bad Mood Rising – Melvins
MELVINS have a long history with Amphetamine Reptile Records, releasing the albums Prick and Honky on the label, and while the band have released on other labels, most notably Ipecac and also Sub Pop and Alternative Tentacles in the past, their history and back catalogue with Am Rep makes it a joy to see them release Bad Mood Rising, their first full-length album on the label in 25 years. The band have had many other releases over the years on the label, including both Lord Of The Flies and Invention Of Hysteria in recent times, but not a full-length record so this definitely feels like a joyous full-on reunion of band and label.
The band don’t waste any time as the pounding Mr. Dog Is Totally Right opens the album up brilliantly and features guest guitar work from EARTH main man Dylan Carlson. The 14-minute track is a bold way to open up an album, but that, of course, is what MELVINS do best. They do exactly what they want and don’t conform to any musical rules and the track starts things off extremely well.
Never Say You’re Sorry follows and has a stark industrial vibe complete with a fantastic repetitive and discordant riff driving the song before it morphs into a sludgy gothic anthem. My Discomfort Is Radiant has more of a post-punk feel to it but sounds like nobody else but the MELVINS at the same time, especially as the song reaches its conclusion and this results in a compelling listen.
It Won’t Or It Might continues the album with a hazier, almost shoegaze-esque vibe at times, but this approach certainly works before the funked up alternative groove of Hammering adds another dimension to proceedings. The bruising The Receiver And The Empire State finishes the record accordingly with an energetic noise rock vibe that seems to sum the whole album up, and it has to be said that while every track on Bad Mood Rising contains different musical elements. It couldn’t be anyone other than the MELVINS playing them, their sound is that distinctive.
Bad Mood Rising is an album that is strikingly heavy at times but also more accessible and atmospheric than the MELVINS have been in a while with songs like My Discomfort Is Radiant and It Won’t Or It Might especially having a definite catchiness to them. It also seems that the band have been aided by the addition of Steven McDonald on bass and vocals, and add to that some vibrant riffage and the instantly recognisable vocals of Buzz Osborne coupled with Dale Crovers‘ pounding drums and you’ve got a recipe for success.
With Bad Mood Rising, MELVINS prove that they’re still releasing vital music, and it’s cool to see them back on Amphetamine Reptile with such a vibrant, noisy and catchy record some 25 years after they last put an album out on the label. It would seem that they will continue to put music out on their terms for as long as they want, and long may that continue.
Rating: 8/10
Bad Mood Rising is out now via Amphetamine Reptile Records.
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