You don't spend a few decades playing with the Melvins and not learn a few things about making music that's heavy, and on Dale Crover's second solo album, 2020's Rat-A-Tat-Tat!, the band's longtime drummer (and occasional bassist) once again shows he has a real knack for coming up with a memorable hard rock song. At the same time, much like his 2017 effort The Fickle Finger of Fate, Crover also makes it clear he knows how to come up with a melody and a hook, and even though this is still full of the sort of eccentric ...
Read More
You don't spend a few decades playing with the Melvins and not learn a few things about making music that's heavy, and on Dale Crover's second solo album, 2020's Rat-A-Tat-Tat!, the band's longtime drummer (and occasional bassist) once again shows he has a real knack for coming up with a memorable hard rock song. At the same time, much like his 2017 effort The Fickle Finger of Fate, Crover also makes it clear he knows how to come up with a melody and a hook, and even though this is still full of the sort of eccentric experimentalism you might expect from a side project, the best moments here are engaging and accessible in a way many fans might not expect. "Shark Like Overbite" could almost pass for jangle pop with its punchy key chorus and bright guitar figure, the primarily acoustic "I'll Never Say" is an atmospheric exercise in spooky psychedelia reinforced by Toshi Kasai's retro keyboards, and the choppy swagger of "Untrue Crime" plays like a shotgun wedding between blues rock and junkshop glam that unexpectedly works. (The vintage glam influences come back for an encore in the swampy but hard-stomping "The Bowie Mix.") Like Fickle Finger of Fate, Rat-A-Tat-Tat! was primarily performed by Crover himself, who holds down drums, guitars, percussion, and lead vocals, but he also brought in some friends to help. Steve McDonald's bass gives the tracks a sway and an oomph that feels good in this context, while Kasai, who engineered and co-produced the set, contributes plenty of color and texture with his keyboard work. You might not expect the drummer would be the guy to introduce a pop sensibility to the Melvins, and that description is probably going too far to make a point, but Rat-A-Tat-Tat! is a reminder that Crover has skills as a tunesmith and a performer that fall outside the traditional boundaries of his work in his main band, and there are plenty of welcome surprises here along with a few expected and well-executed sonic punches to the gut. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. Ex-Library rental. Disc(s) are professionally cleaned and may contain only light scratches that do not effect functionality. Includes disc(s), case, and artwork. May be missing booklet. Disc(s), case, and artwork may contain library/security stickers and ink writing. ARTWORK IS UNORIGINAL AND PRINTED BY LIBRARY. Case and artwork may show some wear. Case may not be an original jewel case. All disc(s) are authentic.