Melvins have spent decades making records that refuse to settle into one shape. Basses Loaded doubles down on that refusal. It is a 12-track album built around a rotating cast of six bassists, and it moves between doom metal, punk, and a handful of odd covers. The idea is simple: bring together a lot of talent and let it sprawl across a wide range of sounds. The result is a record that mostly holds together, even when individual tracks don’t.
The Decay of Lying Opens the Record
“The Decay of Lying” opens the album at 6:36, and it sets the tone for everything that follows. It is slow, heavy, and patient, letting the riff breathe before it moves forward. It is a strong start, and it signals that the band is not interested in rushing anywhere.
“Choco Plumbing” follows at 4:12. It is shorter and tighter, with a sharper edge that suggests the band can switch gears without losing its footing. It is a solid second track, though it does not quite match the weight of what came before it.
Beer Hippie Through Planet Destructo
“Beer Hippie” runs 5:16 and leans into the punk side of the band’s sound. It is fast, loose, and full of energy, a reminder that the Melvins can still play with speed and attitude. “I Want to Tell You” is the standout of the early middle stretch at 3:14. It is a song about wanting to communicate, and it earns its place as one of the album’s best moments.
“Captain Come Down” is a short, punchy track at 2:54. It is not the deepest song on the record, but it keeps things moving without overstaying its welcome. “Hideous Women” comes next at 3:05, and it adds a layer of odd humor to the proceedings, a welcome break from the heavier material.
“Shaving Cream” is the shortest track on the album at 2:31, and it is a burst of energy that feels like a release after the slower songs around it. “Planet Destructo” closes this stretch at 6:06, and it is a doom metal highlight that shows the band can build a song with real weight behind it.
War Pussy Through Take Me Out to the Ball Game
“War Pussy” is a brief detour at 2:48. It is not a weak track, but it does not leave much of an impression either. “Maybe I’m Amused” is another standout at 2:45. It is a strange, funny song that fits the album’s sense of humor perfectly, and it stands out as one of the best tracks here.
“Phylis Dillard” runs 4:21 and shifts the mood again. It is a more atmospheric track that lets the guitars drift over a steady pulse. It is not the most immediate song on the album, but it rewards patience. “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” closes the record at 2:07, and it is a cover that brings the album to a playful, unexpected finish.
What Holds the Record Together
The strength of Basses Loaded is its willingness to change direction constantly. One moment it is a slow, crushing doom track, the next it is a fast punk song, and then it is a cover of a baseball anthem. That range could easily feel scattered, but the band keeps the whole thing grounded in a shared sense of humor and a commitment to playing with real energy.
The rotating bassists are a selling point, not a gimmick. Six different musicians pass through the album, and each brings their own approach to the rhythm section. That variety keeps the music from sounding stale, even when the individual songs do not all land.
The Verdict on Basses Loaded
Basses Loaded is a mixed bag, but it is a mixed bag that mostly works. The album drags in places, especially during stretches where the songs feel like they are wandering without purpose. Some tracks feel like detours that do not pay off, and the covers do not always add much to the overall picture.
But the high points are real. “I Want to Tell You,” “Shaving Cream,” “Planet Destructo,” and “Maybe I’m Amused” are all strong enough to carry the record on their own. The band’s willingness to take risks and try different styles is admirable, even when some of those experiments miss the mark.
The album is a blur of inexplicable detours, as one critic put it, and that description captures both its strengths and its weaknesses. It is a record that rewards attention but does not always make it easy to hold onto.
| Track | Length |
|---|---|
| The Decay of Lying | 6:36 |
| Choco Plumbing | 4:12 |
| Beer Hippie | 5:16 |
| I Want to Tell You | 3:14 |
| Captain Come Down | 2:54 |
| Hideous Women | 3:05 |
| Shaving Cream | 2:31 |
| Planet Destructo | 6:06 |
| War Pussy | 2:48 |
| Maybe I’m Amused | 2:45 |
| Phylis Dillard | 4:21 |
| Take Me Out to the Ball Game | 2:07 |
The album is a mixed bag of doom, punk, and odd covers that mostly coheres despite its wide stylistic range. It is a record worth hearing, even if not every track earns its place.
- The Decay of Lying6:36
- Choco Plumbing4:12
- Beer Hippie5:16
- I Want to Tell You3:14
- Captain Come Down2:54
- Hideous Women3:05
- Shaving Cream2:31
- Planet Destructo6:06
- War Pussy2:48
- Maybe I’m Amused2:45
- Phylis Dillard4:21
- Take Me Out to the Ball Game2:07
