Altamont - Frazier/Patterson/Lusk Band

Advantages: Rock, country, unplugged, gospel - you'll find the lot here
Disadvantages:

...It was ironic that the one professional experience as a band the Stones would rather forget, that notorious Altamont gig, coincided with the release of what was arguably their most consistent album ever. Released at the end of the 60s, five months after the death of brian Jones and the recruitment of Mick Taylor (both of whom appear on the album, alongside a galaxy of session singers and musos), "Let it Bleed" significantly and deservedly restored their chart fortunes, to the extent of even toppling the Beatles' "Abbey Road" from the top of the UK album list in its first week of release. The sinister "Gimmie Shelter", with Keith Richards' vintage guitar riff, and the bad-boy lyrics of "Live With Me", put them back on top R'n'B form. There were also nods to outlaw country rock on the title track, and an amazing revamp of "Honky Tonk... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great intelligent heavy grungy hardcore, that makes you want to explore more of their music
Disadvantages: Some of the songs may be an aqqired taste; but then again i see that as a good thing. Most other Hard music will seem simple afterwards

...The Melvins are a grunge/hardcore/sludge-core band from Washington D.C who formed around 1980 by Buzz Osborne, Matt Lukin and Mike Dillard. Their current lineup consists of Singer/Guitarist Buzz Osborne A.K.A. King Buzzo (also of Fantômas, Venomous Concept, and the original incarnation of Nirvana; Fecal Matter), and Drummer Dale Crover (also of Fecal Matter, Altamont, and Men of Porn). The band usually play as a trio, however several bassists have come and gone with the group. The band takes its name from a hated grocery clerk at the 'Thriftway' in their local town of Montesano, Washington. Kurt Cobain once tried to audition for the band as a second guitarist, after being their roadie for a few shows; however he succumbed to nerves, and forgot all their songs. The band integrate many of the musical concepts of Black Flag's 'My War' era... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: a brief but insightful overview of the band
Disadvantages: no singleCD is big enough to fully show their genius

...on into oblivion. A short snappy song that combines a pop melody, rock attitude and Morrison's sly sexual charm. Pure rock comes next as the band slowly builds into the dark and brooding leviathan of "L.A. Women" The dark heart of the band is laid bare here as Morrison mixes his favourite images of nighttimes urban landscapes and women. This song typifies the change of musical styles that occurred as the sixties gave way to the seventies, the song is more crowded, and the dark underbelly of the west coast drug culture that had raised its head at Altamont and with the killing of Sharon Tate was being worn on musicians sleeve. The summer of love was well and truly over. "Riders on the Storm" however takes that bleak realisation and reflects on it to make a gloriously laid back yet poignant poetical vision accompanied by some fine less-is-more musical... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful