Melvins have spent decades proving that slow, heavy music can move with grace rather than brute force. Five Legged Dog is the latest test of that claim, a 36-track, 149-minute acoustic reinterpretation of the band’s own catalog. Recorded during quarantine, it strips away electric guitars and amps, leaving just instruments and voices, and asks whether the songs still land without the familiar weight.
The answer, mostly, is yes. This is a massive undertaking, and it doesn’t always hold together as a single statement. But at its best, it shows the Melvins’ songs don’t need volume to feel powerful.
Opening Run
The record opens with “Edgar the Elephant,” a short, gentle introduction that sets the tone before “Up the Dumper” pushes things forward at a quick clip. “Hung Bunny / Roman Dog Bird” runs over twelve minutes and earns every second, turning a familiar riff into a sprawling instrumental that never loses its shape. “Hooch” follows with a sharp, direct energy that cuts through the quiet haze around it.
“Shevil” slows things down again, a five-minute instrumental that builds patiently toward its peak. “Eye Flys / Woman” is the longest stretch of the first half, and it holds attention across its eight minutes with shifting textures and a strong sense of purpose. “Pitfalls in Serving Warrants” and “Outside Chance” are brief, minor tracks that function more as breathers than highlights.
Middle Stretch
“Evil New War God” picks the pace back up, a four-minute burst of energy that feels urgent even at this reduced scale. “The Bloated Pope” is a standout, a three-and-a-half minute slice of pure aggression that proves the band’s edge hasn’t dulled. “Bad Move” and “With Teeth” are competent but unremarkable, serving as connective tissue between the stronger tracks.
“Halo of Flies” stretches past eight minutes and loses some focus in its middle section, though it recovers near the end. “Oven,” “Sway,” “Anaconda,” and “Lovely Butterflies” form a tight cluster of mid-length tracks that mostly pass without friction. “Boris” is a standout, a six-and-a-half minute epic that sounds particularly vital in this acoustic setting.
“It’s Shoved,” “Honey Bucket,” and “We Are Doomed” make up a long, winding middle stretch that tests patience. “Fly Paper” and “Let God Be Your Gardener” are short, forgettable interludes. “At the Stake” is a sharp, brief highlight that snaps the record awake. “Night Goat” and “Queen” are solid, straightforward cuts that don’t ask for much attention.
“Everybody’s Talking,” “Revolve,” “Suicide in Progress,” and “Prig” form another stretch of moderate tracks, none of which stand out individually but which hold the record’s momentum. “The Bit” and “Civilized Worm” are strong, atmospheric pieces that reward closer listening.
Final Push
The closer, “Don’t Forget to Breathe,” runs seven minutes and closes things out on a patient, reflective note.
| Track | Length | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Hung Bunny / Roman Dog Bird | 12:34 | Standout |
| Hooch | 2:37 | Strong |
| Shevil | 5:13 | Strong |
| Eye Flys / Woman | 8:18 | Strong |
| Evil New War God | 4:34 | Strong |
| The Bloated Pope | 3:52 | Strong |
| Boris | 6:57 | Strong |
| Night Goat | 6:06 | Solid |
| Don’t Forget to Breathe | 7:33 | Solid |
| Longest Tracks | Length |
|---|---|
| Hung Bunny / Roman Dog Bird | 12:34 |
| Halo of Flies | 8:22 |
| Boris | 6:57 |
| Night Goat | 6:06 |
| Don’t Forget to Breathe | 7:33 |
The record’s ambition is clear, and its execution is mostly successful. It’s long, it’s weird, it’s Melvins.
- Edgar the Elephant3:31
- Up the Dumper2:13
- Hung Bunny / Roman Dog Bird12:34
- Hooch2:37
- Billy Fish4:08
- Shevil5:13
- Charlie2:07
- A Growing Disgust4:56
- Eye Flys / Woman8:18
- Pitfalls in Serving Warrants2:49
- Outside Chance2:11
- Evil New War God4:34
- The Bloated Pope3:52
- Bad Move3:27
- With Teeth2:45
- Halo of Flies8:22
- Oven1:55
- Sway3:09
- Anaconda2:50
- Lovely Butterflies2:58
- Boris6:57
- It’s Shoved2:41
- Honey Bucket2:54
- We Are Doomed6:48
- Fly Paper2:27
- Let God Be Your Gardener2:12
- At the Stake1:40
- Night Goat6:06
- Queen2:42
- Everybody’s Talking2:45
- Revolve3:52
- Suicide in Progress2:55
- Prig1:50
- The Bit5:16
- Civilized Worm6:43
- Don’t Forget to Breathe7:33
