The early to mid-'90s proved the
Melvins' golden age, and the three principal albums from that period --
Stoner Witch provides the centerpiece -- are virtually unassailable in their range, depth, power, and
experimental courage. Picking up on the basic framework of
Houdini,
Stoner Witch resolves into an ear-catching workup of
classic rock themes, tempered, of course, with a fairly judicious sampling of acid-trip detours. Where
Houdini resided more in an expansive -- though lugubriously heavy --
metal vein, refining the techniques built up through the band's early struggles,
Stoner Witch truly showcases the band at the apex of their wide-ranging creative abilities. The melodies -- yes, melodies -- work seamlessly with the ubiquitous chugging riffs;
Buzzo's vocals, often reminiscent of a
David Thomas (
Pere Ubu) after a few weeks of no-nonsense boot camp, are sometimes quiet and reflective, and more often than not, positively
Stentorian. And naturally, drummer
Dale Crover's percussion and pounding behind the kit is astonishing, powerful, and daring. The album opens with the distorted thud of
"Skweetis," the amps and cymbals washing well into red-line territory before yielding to a three-count of heavy-duty
classic rock with
"Queen," "Sweet Willy Rollbar," and
"Revolve." From that point on, there is a deliberate sea-change, beginning with the faux-
lounge tweaking of
"Goose Freight Train," the nearly unlistenable
Merzbow-noise of
"Magic Pig Detective," and ultimately the hammer-down
hardcore of
"June Bug" sandwiched between two
ambient tracks:
"Shevil" and the album closer,
"Lividity." ~ Patrick Kennedy
