The Melvins have spent decades making records that sound like nothing else. Their new album Everybody Loves Sausages is a covers record, and it is also a statement about what the band thinks matters most. The record leans on songs from the band’s early days, a mix of punk and metal touchstones that shaped their sound before they became the defining force they are today. It is a look back, but it is not a retirement announcement. This is a band that knows exactly what it sounds like, and it is not afraid to show off.
Warhead Opens the Record
The album starts with “Warhead,” a slow-burning, heavy opener that sets the tone immediately. It is a track built for the room to breathe, and it earns that space. The song is patient, letting the riff settle in before the full weight of the band kicks in. It is a strong start, and it signals that this is not a covers record in the usual sense. The Melvins treat these songs as raw material, not as museum pieces.
“Best Friend” follows, and it is a sharp, driving cover that moves fast. The original is a pop tune, and the Melvins strip away the polish, leaving a lean, mean version that sounds like it could have been written by them. It is a small gem.
“Black Betty” is short and punchy, a quick burst of energy that snaps the record back into focus after the slow opener. It is a fun, ragged cover that shows the band can still play fast when they want to.
“Set It on Fire” is a heavier track, and it lands with real force. It is not subtle, but it does not need to be. The song is a reminder that the Melvins can still play with fire.
Station to Station Runs Long
“Station to Station” is the centerpiece of the record. It is a bold choice, and it works. The song builds slowly, layering guitars and bass until it feels like a wall of sound. It is a track that demands patience, and it rewards it. It is the kind of performance that critics noted, the one that makes the record feel less like a tribute and more like a live wire.
“Attitude” follows, and it is a straight-ahead rock song that keeps things moving. It is not the most ambitious track on the record, but it holds its own.
“Female Trouble” is a shorter, more compact track that keeps the pace high. It is a solid cover, one that fits the band’s rough, aggressive style.
“Carpe Diem” is a slower, more atmospheric track that shows a different side of the band. It is moody and brooding, and it works well as a palate cleanser before the record picks back up.
“Timothy Leary Lives” is a short, punchy track that keeps things tight. It is a fun, irreverent cover that shows the band’s sense of humor.
In Every Dream Home Is the Highlight
“In Every Dream Home a Heartache” is the longest track on the record, and it is also the highlight. The song features Jello Biafra on vocals, and the pairing is a natural fit. The track is a slow, deliberate build, and it pays off in the final stretch. It is the moment the record truly comes alive.
“Romance” is a mid-tempo track that keeps things steady. It is not a standout, but it does not drag either.
“Art School” is a slower, more melodic track that shows the band can write hooks when they want to. It is a pleasant change of pace.
“Heathen Earth” closes the record with a heavy, driving finale. It is a strong way to end the album, and it leaves the listener wanting more.
What the Covers Actually Show
Critics noted that the album leans nostalgic, covering songs from the band’s formative years rather than revealing future plans. The record is a celebration of where the band came from, and it does not pretend otherwise. But the Melvins have never really felt like covers, but rather, Melvins tunes that were written by other people. That is the key to the whole project.
The best tracks on the record are the ones that let the band’s instincts take over. The songs that work are the ones where the cover becomes a starting point, not a destination. The band does not mimic the originals; it plays them through its own lens, and that lens is unmistakably the Melvins.
The Verdict on the Record
The record is not perfect. Some tracks feel like filler, and a few of the shorter cuts do not leave much of an impression. But the highlights are real, and they are strong enough to carry the whole project. The album succeeds because it is honest about what it is doing, and it delivers on that promise.
The record is a worthy addition to the Melvins’ catalog, and it stands alongside their best work. It is a record that rewards attention, and it is one that will be remembered for years to come.
The Melvins have made a covers record that feels like a live wire, not a museum exhibit. That is the highest compliment a covers album can receive. It is a record that celebrates the past while refusing to be trapped in it.
Track List at a Glance
| # | Track |
|---|---|
| 1 | Warhead |
| 2 | Best Friend |
| 3 | Black Betty |
| 4 | Set It on Fire |
| 5 | Station to Station |
| 6 | Attitude |
| 7 | Female Trouble |
| 8 | Carpe Diem |
| 9 | Timothy Leary Lives |
| 10 | In Every Dream Home a Heartache |
| 11 | Romance |
| 12 | Art School |
| 13 | Heathen Earth |
The record runs 54 minutes, and it is dense with ideas. It is a record that rewards repeated listening, and it is one that will be discussed for years to come.
The Melvins have made a covers record that feels like a live wire, not a museum exhibit. That is the highest compliment a covers album can receive. It is a record that celebrates the past while refusing to be trapped in it.
The verdict is clear. This is a great covers album from a band that knows exactly what it is doing. It is a record that will be remembered for years to come.
- The strongest track is “In Every Dream Home a Heartache,” which pairs Jello Biafra’s vocals with a slow, deliberate build that pays off in the final stretch.
- “Station to Station” is the centerpiece, a bold choice that builds slowly into a wall of layered sound.
- “Warhead” opens the record with a slow-burning, heavy approach that lets the riff settle in before the full weight of the band kicks in.
- “Black Betty” snaps the record back into focus with a short, punchy burst of energy.
- “Heathen Earth” closes the record with a heavy, driving finale that leaves the listener wanting more.
- Warhead4:41
- Best Friend2:31
- Black Betty1:47
- Set It on Fire2:36
- Station to Station11:20
- Attitude3:33
- Female Trouble3:11
- Carpe Diem3:06
- Timothy Leary Lives2:04
- In Every Dream Home a Heartache9:05
- Romance2:58
- Art School3:16
- Heathen Earth4:03
