Core (1992)
Sure, they weren’t on the level of the great grunge Gods. But that doesn’t mean they weren’t any good. Plenty of bands have sounds similar to another band. The difference in judging seems to be that when you don’t like the second band, they’re “unoriginal” and “posers”. When you DO like them, you prefer to call them whatever-band-they-sound-like esque. Kind of a silly way to go about reviews, don’t you think? This is a great album. Yes, great. Not good. Great. Got it? Good.
And in the name of all that is good and sacred, if that sounds familiar, Denis Leary deserves to be ripped…see “Bill Hicks”.
(“Sex Type Thing”, “Creep”, “Plush”, “Wicked Garden”)
Grade: A-
8/10/12: “Sex Type Thing” is either a rightfully vicious, sarcastic put-down of scumbag rapists/sexists/misogynists or it’s pro-rape. I’m gonna give them the benefit of the doubt that they’re not TOTAL SCUMBAGS and assume the former. I’ve heard “Excitable Boy”, and I don’t think Warren Zevon is pro-psycho-killer-turned-grave-robber.
Call me crazy. As for the music, it’s no more derivative than Zep was and it’s more consistent than anything Zep except ‘Zoso’. Suck it Trebek.
Grade: A
Purple (1994)
I really like this band. To hell with the critics. If they don’t know the difference between an album full of good riffs and a talentless, worthless copycat, that’s their problem. This is a great album, surprising even me (a fan already) and making me wonder if this band perhaps DOES deserve to hang out with the Gods of Grunge.
Alice In Chains was never this consistent, Soundgarden only did it once. Pearl Jam? Ok, that may be pushing it a bit too far. Nirvana? Alright, alright…I was just speculating.
(“Lounge Fly”, “Still Remains”, “Interstate Love Song”, “Big Empty”)
Grade: A
Tiny Music… Songs From The Vatican Gift Shop (1996)
Meaningless great hooky riffs are their style, not melodies. So when they lose them and try to go soft, they become mostly dull, hokey, and boring. And completely irrelevant, except for “Trippin’ On A Hole In A Paper Heart”, which has some great meaningless hooky riffs.
(“Trippin’ On A Hole In A Paper Heart”)
Grade: D+
No. 4 (1999)
“Down” and “Sour Girl” are the only songs worth your time. And you’ve heard “Down” before, in various (and superior) incarnations.
(“Sour Girl”)
Grade: C-