Melvins have spent decades proving that slow isn’t a weakness. Their 1994 album Prick takes that philosophy further than almost anything else in their catalog, trading pop hooks for 43 minutes of deliberate, heavy grind. This is not a band chasing radio. It is a band chasing the sound of a bulldozer grinding through asphalt. The result is a record that rewards patience and punishes skimmers.
Opening With How About
The album opens with “How About,” a 4:16 crawl that sets the tone immediately. It is slow, repetitive, and absolutely deliberate. The song builds tension by refusing to resolve it, letting the riff stretch out until it feels like a wall rather than a melody. It is not a warm welcome; it is a warning.
“Rickets” follows at a brisk 1:20, the shortest track on the record. It is a quick burst of noise that clears the throat before the main course arrives. “Pick It N’ Flick It” runs 1:39 and continues the brief, punchy pattern. Neither demands attention on its own, but both function as palate cleansers between the heavier stretches.
Montreal Through Chief Ten Beers
“Montreal” slows things back down at 4:10. It is one of the more melodic tracks on the record, with a chugging rhythm that recalls the band’s earlier, more accessible work. The song builds to a chorus that actually sticks, which is rare on this record.
“Chief Ten Beers” is the longest track before the closer, stretching to 6:28. It is a slow, brooding piece that relies on atmosphere over hooks. The song drags in spots, but its patient build pays off in the final minute, where the band finally lets loose with a burst of energy that feels earned after all that restraint.
Underground Through Punch the Lion
“Underground” clocks in at 2:21 and returns to the shorter, more aggressive template. It is a tight, snarling rocker that shows the band can still move when they want to. “Chalk People” is the shortest track at 1:16, a quick sketch that barely registers but keeps the momentum moving.
“Punch the Lion” is the standout of the middle section, running 3:13. It is the most traditionally structured song on the record, with a riff that could almost pass for a hook if you squint. The track earns its runtime through sheer force of personality.
Pure Digital Silence Through Larry
“Pure Digital Silence” is a brief detour at 1:34, a quiet interlude that provides a moment of respite before the record’s final push. It is not essential, but it breaks up the density of the preceding tracks.
“Roll Another One” closes the album at 14:18, and it is the reason this record exists. It is a sprawling, meandering piece that refuses to resolve itself. The track is a marathon of noise, built on repetition and minimal variation. It is exhausting, exhilarating, and entirely pointless in any conventional sense. That is precisely why it works.
What Works, What Doesn’t
The strongest moments on Prick are the ones that commit fully to the band’s slowcore aesthetic. The record’s highlights include:
- “Montreal” — one of the more melodic tracks, with a chorus that actually sticks
- “Punch the Lion” — the most traditionally structured song, with a riff that could almost pass for a hook
- “Roll Another One” — the closing 14:18 sprawl, the reason the record exists
The weaker tracks — “Rickets,” “Pick It N’ Flick It,” “Chalk People,” “Pure Digital Silence” — are not failures so much as placeholders, brief detours that keep the album moving without adding much substance.
“Chief Ten Beers” is the longest track before the closer, stretching to 6:28.
Final Word
Prick is not an easy listen. It is a deliberately difficult one. The record asks for patience and offers little in return beyond the occasional hook. But for listeners willing to meet it on its own terms, there is real reward in the commitment.
This is a record about process over product, about the grind being the point rather than the destination. It is not for everyone, but for those who have stuck with the Melvins through their long career, Prick is a reminder that the slow road still gets you there.
- How About4:16
- Rickets1:20
- Pick It N' Flick It1:39
- Montreal4:10
- Chief Ten Beers6:28
- Underground2:21
- Chalk People1:16
- Punch the Lion3:13
- Pure Digital Silence1:34
- Larry3:02
- Roll Another One14:18
