Meat Puppets’ sound had evolved significantly by the time they reached this commercial pinnacle of an eighth studio album (it went gold in only a few months after its release). When the Arizona band started out in the early 80s, they were one of the coolest hardcore punk bands and were signed to SST Records, the record label that anyone worth their salt in the 80s punk rock scene would be all over.
The likes of Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl were big fans of bands from the roster, with Kurt Cobain seeing Meat Puppets open for Black Flag and a few years – and a few million record sales – later, he invited them to be guest guitarists at his MTV Unplugged appearance with Nirvana. This album came out just a few months after that appearance and the publicity it gave made this record, which was produced by Butthole Surfers guitarist Paul Leary, their most commercially successful to date.
Their sound blends psychedelia and country in with their punk rock DNA making for relatively easy listening experience with thought-provoking lyrics and melodies that stick. The single ‘Backwater’ is like a slower, gloomier Green Day and its commercial nature really drove sales. For the Nirvana fans among you, there’s a hidden track updated version of ‘Lake Of Fire’ that Nirvana and Meat Puppets performed Unplugged.
Meat Puppets might not be as readily referred to as the Seattle scene grunge bands but this Arizona lot are sonically kindred sin and are truly remarkable.
The Fat Angel Sings 