Album Mini-review: Melvins — Basses Loaded
File next to: The Sword, Black Sabbath, Sunn O)))
Loosely – and really only geographically – associated with the Pacific Northwest grunge scene, The Melvins long have stood apart from Nirvana, Pearl Jam and the like. For awhile now they’ve played live gigs with two drummers, but in reality that has been all about locking in the sonic bottom end. So building an album around the insistent throb of the bass guitar is in keeping with their aesthetic. The punning title refers not only to the four-string but to the appearance of every Melvins bassist – past and present – on this delightfully thudding record. A left-field Beatles cover (“I Want to Tell You”) is a highlight, and borders on being a piece of ear candy. The disc ends with “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” a playful poke in the eye to listeners.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.