Melvins - Hostile Ambient Takeover (8 tracks) +Album Reviews

The REAL Ecclectic Electric

04/11/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just came into possession of this little gem about a week ago....and I am still recovering.Many people look at this album as a relativley straight-ahead rock album...at least by the Melvins standards .I think most say that out of comparison to their then more recent releases such as "Electroretard" and the its over my head "Colossus of Destiny".And yes compared to them this is indeed a coventional rocker of an album.However it is only conventional when applied as a term to the Melvins universe.While these songs rock harder and groove better than 99% of anything you will hear on the radio this year,they still retain their experimental edge all through the album.Some standout cuts include "Dr Geek"...which for some reason reminds me of Primus...at least in terms of the song structure.It has a loose rockabilly sound matched with a punk fury ,and it is pulled off briliantly."Little Judas Chongo" is absolutely phenomenal.Maybe i make too much out of this song really.Its not the catchiest thing they ever done,but being a guitarist myself,this song just reaches out and grabs my jugular."The Brain Center at Whipples" and the epic like "The Fool,the Melding Idiot" are also both outstanding tracks."Black Stooges" and "Foaming" are good,but I just cant get into "The Anti-Vermin Seed".I like a lot of their experimental ,ambient peices..but that one doesent do anything for me.All in all a very strong release and if you already have a fondness for the Melvins this is a must have album....Hope i helped."

Thanks....I Needed That!

Vincent Priceless | Glen Cove, New York United States | 02/14/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I gotta laff - 'cause The Melvins are the pioneers of a sound that so many other so-called Alternative, Hard Rock, Metal, Punk, bla bla bla bands try so hard to emulate, but simply lack the testicular fortitude and vision to pull it off (or even admit to, for that matter). This is a band with three PLAYERS - guys who really turn it up a notch when it comes to kicking out the jams. They are not afraid to take chances, they are funny, they always keep the listener guessing (expect the unexpected), they don't give a rat's rump about the fast-food crud that is the popular x-generation "alternative" rock music of today (barf!) - Melvins march to the beat of their own drummer - and man o man, Dale C. is one the best you will ever hear...King Buzzo is a 5-string guitar/noise icon with a penchant for covering vintage Alice Cooper Group tunes (i am not worthy)...and Kevin R. holds it together with slide bass (!) - proving to be the most consistent foundation in the "revolving door" of bassists the band has had through the years. Buy this record if you want to purge your soul of all the commonplace sludge being passed around and lauded by the industry onanists as the next big hard rock/punk thing. If u like your rock & roll loud, masterful, freaky & adventurous, and prefer "art" to "pop", this record is for you. Note: you HAVE NOT lived until you've seen these guys live - dunk your head in a vat of molasses & place inside an idling jet engine...voila! (of course, don't try this at home or abroad...teehee)"

Finally! The Melvins rock out!

Thomas Muckinhaupt | Erie, PA United States | 07/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Melvins can be frustrating at times, going from excellent hard rocking classics like Ozma, Houdini,Stoner Witch, to unlistenable ...- "The Colussus of Destiny, Prick, etc. Hostile Ambient Takeover is probably the best they have ever done from start to finish. The rhythms are amazing, Buzzo plays some of the best guitar riffs he has played in years. If you've been a disappointed Melvins fan, this is the CD to make you realize why you loved them in the first place. Definitely worth five stars!!"

Nothing too new, but a great album nonetheless

drumb | milwaukee, wi United States | 02/11/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Considering that they've existed since 1982, have included more than 5 bass players, and have put out albums for 5 different labels, it's amazing that the Melvins are even still alive to greet the year 2003. One of the most persistent bands in the history of American rock and the near sole survivors of the Seattle Grunge scene, The Melvins are not only still alive, but have managed to release an astonishing 23 albums (and EPs) in their wake while simultaneously maintaining several successful side projects. This being said, HAT (Hostile Ambient Takeover) is a monumental release for the Melvins, being the first new studio album after a two-year maelstrom of archival live and compilation releases. The group's last original outing, the 2000 Trilogy, provided one album for each aspect of the Melvins sound, but where the Trilogy split up the Melvins different personalities, HAT unites them all on a single CD, making one supremely diverse monster of an album. Covering everything from their punk roots, Dr. Geek, to bold new ambient experiments, The Anti-Vermin Seed, HAT acts as an effective summation of the Melvins career thus far. While most bands would regard this as a virtual lack of progress, the Melvins have made such numerous strives in such radically different directions on every previous release that HAT proves to be a necessary and much appreciated compliment to the band's eclectic past. Furthermore, regardless of whether it's pushing the envelope or simply reveling in the classic quirky dirginess that is uniquely "Melvins," HAT displays such impressive songwriting and intense instrumental dynamics throughout that it is an unquestionably enjoyable listen, regardless of motive. A perfect place for a new fan to start and a wonderful reward for longtime diehards, The Melvins have made a brilliant mixture of all their best traits while still leaving plenty of room for growth."

Simply A Masterpiece

Jimmy Gambrill | Cambridge, Maryland United States | 04/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On this album, Melvins combine elements from different albums from their past, as well as continue to forge ahead with new material. "Little Judas Chongo" sounds like it could have been recorded during the "Deep 6" era of the band. On the two part "The Fool/ The Meddling Idiot", they revisit something they touched upon on the Bootlicker with "Let It All Be", in having a two part song. The second part is mellowed out, almost funky with stoned keyboards. On "The Anti- Vermin", the last song, Adam Jones, ( That's right, guitarist of Tool), plays lead pretty much the whole time, on this long, chugging closer, that sounds like it could be on a Tool album of some sorts, which is not surprising since Jones is on it. It's a song that would also be very pleasing to Lysol era Melvins fans and any Earth fans. Bottom line, if you are any type of a Melvins fan you will definitely be happy with this record."

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	Melvins Hostile Ambient Takeover Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock Track Listings (8) - Disc #1 Black Stooges Untitled Dr. Geek Little Judas Chongo The Fool, The Meddling Idiot The Brain Center At Whipples Foaming The Anti-Vermin Seed 2002 album is a flavorful mix of quiet intensity and noisy calm. 8 glorious tracks to mess with your mind!
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