Search - Melvins :: 26 Songs

Where Sludge Was Born

drumb | milwaukee, wi United States | 03/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"10 Songs is where it all began. The very first CD by the original purveyors of sludge, a re-release of this out of print gem has been long overdue, but luckily for us, fellow visionary Mike Patton has finally provided the almighty Melvins with a suitable home to begin digging through their back catalogue. Considering it was recorded all the way back in 1986 to a standard 2 track analog recorder, no mixing involved, 10 Songs has dated incredibly well. The CD sounds as formidably loud and dauntingly heavy as it did the day it was released, a messy collage of punk ferocity and metallic dirges that feels like it was spawned on another planet. Still unlike anything on today's music scene, or even anything preceding today's music scene, this single EP introduced the idea that slower could be heavier, countering the accepted punk rock philosophies of speed-core and establishing a brand new genre of music. Cranking the volume up, slowing the tempos down, and converting the vocals to a guttural drone, 10 Songs went against the grain in every way, giving a stiff middle finger to the Punk Rock status quo, and even after all these years, it's still obvious that The Melvins couldn't have been more right. Case in point, the earlier demos (tracks 20-25) which hint at a far more punky Melvins ensemble easily pale in comparison to the atmospheric bludgeoning of the songs final renditions. Furthermore, brilliant moments like the powerhouse drumming of "At a Crawl" or the disorienting chaos of "Show of Your Red Hands" instantly certify the validity of The Melvins musical crusade regardless of what sounds came before it. While the actual album is certainly the real highlight here, the new demos and outtakes featured on 26 songs are a nice addition. Providing a very interesting glimpse into the pre-studio life of The Melvins, the demo material will still probably only appeal to true diehards, but if you are intrigued by the idea of tracing the bands roots from their days of a million miles per hour punk to their pinnacle of unique metallic forte, which I definitely was, then 26 songs is where to start. Just like the re-release of Gluey Porch Treatments in 2000, 26 songs is undoubtedly a worthwhile addition to the Melvins collection and thanks to the level of commitment by not only the Melvins but the admirable Ipecac Records, fans are finally able to get their hands on this wonderful EP without being forced to spend hours on various online auction sites."

Surrender yourself...

Chinaski | waiting at the bar (thirsty) | 09/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...to the heaviest band the world has ever seen. You can keep your po-faced black metal pussy music and bland death metal. The Melvins create some of the most dense, weighty sludge your ears will ever be at the mercy of. 'Grinding Process' and 'Over From The Underground' are worth the asking price alone. Dale Crover, god love him, is an absolute power-house and always manages to keep up with Buzzo's, at times, downright confusing fretwork. Get a hefty stereo, turn the treble down and the bass up, and get lit. It kinda feels like being underwater, just before the pressure squashes you flat. And I like being squashed flat."

Sludgecore that makes your guts quake!!!

Loring Winter | Minneapolis | 12/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of the most degenerate and blasphemus albums I've ever heard. It'll be two minutes of sub-audible distortion, then one little wanky metal riff that ends before it would logically make sense to. Only for experimental music fans. Great music to listen to during the "walk of shame" when you've done something really stupid while drunk the night before. Five stars, no brainer."