Despite a vast back
catalogue encompassing 14 albums over the 35 years+ since their
self-titled debut in 1982 (which still remains an essential listen after all
these years) it is only really the Meat Puppets II album that has ever really solicited
the sort of widespread critical acclaim the band deserves. However, in my 'humble' but ultimately correct opinion, it is this, their next album, that truly deserves the most widespread plaudits.
Primarily this was due to the fact that the MP's appeared to have made a conscious effort towards constructing actual tunes within the album, in a manner that may have given a nod of acknowledgement towards a more commercial sound without ever really threatening to become swallowed by ‘the man’. As such, this album is the one that should be considered their magnum opus, as it represents the successful achievement of that often elusive Talking Heads aesthetic that finds an acceptable balance between contrary indie chic and the melodically commercial.
Swimming Ground
The main way in which
this was achieved was simply by varying the levels and types of jangle-pop
sound which gave the more commercial essence to the above-mentioned formula for, what was ultimately, extremely cool. For instance tracks such as the brilliant opening double salvo of Upon on the Sun and Maidens Milk as well as the superlative Swimming Ground (see above) would sit nicely with any number
of the eras less abrasive and more melodic C86 bands. Similarly the band also touch upon
psychedelic jangle-pop inflections in tracks such as Hot Pink, Too Real and Sea Whales (see below).
Sea Whales
With one half of the ‘cool
formula’ sealed with the increased usage of jangled guitar inflections, the final ingredients
to the what ultimately steered this album away from the shallow waters of
commercial despair into the deep blue yonder of the promised land known as 'different and original' were added in two different ways.
Initially tracks such as Enchanted Pork Fist and Two Rivers (see below) sees a much
greater level of musicianship achieved than on previous albums. Chris Kirkwood
on bass is now able to joust note for note with his previously far more technically accomplished
brother Curt on lead guitar. As such there is an increased interplay between
the two, that retains a tight hold on the better parts of a Post-Punk
scene that was about disappear under all things Morrissey, whilst floating all things jangle-pop in an out of the chunky bass-lines.
Meat Puppets
Similarly the fact that neither of the Kirkwood brothers can sing, probably promotes the needfor long periods of instrumentals in each track. The flat casual sounding vocals when added to the muted jangle sounds like a
Dunedin Sound or Flying Nun kiwi type band, which adds to their allure considering neither movement had really taken off as yet. Possibly the
best example of this can be seen in the albums true stand out Buckethead (see
below).
Buckethead
The Meat Puppets have been the reliable
proponents of ramshackle, countrified, distorted melodies across four decades
now, but it is this album that remains their most appealing work.
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