The Melvins' new live record, Sugar Daddy Live, marks their 41st release (give or take a few) and the fourth effort from the "Big Melvins" lineup. For more on the "Big Melvins" era, see my previous post.
Sugar Daddy Live captures the band during a performance at the "Busta-Guts Club" in Downey, CA, which I'm guessing is a warehouse and not a club at all and that the band learned a lesson with the Houdini Live debacle.
The Melvins' live show always contains surprises. Set lists can pull from different (read: disparate) moments in their career and even sometimes change from night to night, as proven by the Melvins vs. Minneapolis project and things like the controversial two-night Colossus of Destiny. The band has just under 30 years worth of material to choose from, so sitting down to write a set list has to seem a bit daunting.
Included in the set is "Eye Flies," the first track from 1987's Gluey Porch Treatments, which brings a bit of nostalgia and "Tipping the Lion" from 1996's Stag which was fun to hear (it had been a while). I suppose songs like "Dies Iraea" and "History of Bad Men" (both included in the set) have replaced classic dirges like "Night Goat" (1993) or "With Teeth" (1992) in the Melvins' live canon – granted, the newer songs tend to be crafted with a little more sophistication – but something about this set made me miss the old songs. Maybe because I'd like to hear what freshness the newer members might bring to them.
Bassist Jared Warren has proven deserving of his place next to King Buzzo and that those vocals you hear on record are not overdubs. The mirrored-drumsets (joined at the floor toms) of percussionists Dale Crover and Coady Willis seem to have allowed for a closer interplay, and the guys seem to be tightening up their approach/assault. Overall, the band is sounding confident and monstrous, but some of the songs ("Nude With Boots," "The Hawk") do sound rushed.
The (mostly) acapella version of the Star Spangled Banner would be laughable if they didn't perform it with such reverence and gusto. Closing number, "Boris," was a pleasant surprise, but the rendition of this classic track is, well, interesting to say the least, featuring some creeped-out, echo-fied backing vocals that end the show in a dramatic and bizarre way.
3/5 stars.
Full track listing after the jump.
This article appears in May 26 – Jun 1, 2011.