It might be April Fool’s Day but I guarantee that I’m not joking when talking about The Melvins upcoming covers album, Everybody Loves Sausages (Fer serious, this is the title.), and how essential it is to your Melvins collection.
This isn’t like your recent Anthrax covers EP featuring familiar names, bands, and songs. This is a music lovers covers record with some known (David Bowie, Queen), some lesser known (Throbbing Gristle, Venom) and some, well, I did say it was a music lovers record, didn’t I (Pop-O-Pies, Tales Of Terror)?
Regardless of the song and genre they tackle, though, the uncanny Melvins sound is prevalent throughout. Whether it’s their quirky, child-like take on Queen’s “You’re My Best Friend”, the raucous run through of the Ram Jam classic “Black Betty” or the smooth lounge rendition of “Female Trouble” (From John Waters cult classic of the same name) featuring the Melvins Lite version of the band and King Buzzo doing his beat Tom Waits impression; Everybody Loves Sausages is without a doubt a cohesive Melvins album.
And what would such an odd collection of tunes be without an odd collection of guests to help out? Pretty odd, I think. If the song selection alone didn’t entice you to open your wallets and purses yet then how about some guest performances from Neurosis’ Scott Kelly (On Venom’s “Warhead”), Mudhoney’s Mark Arm (On The Scientists “Set It On Fire”), or Jello Biafra, who pops up with former Melvins bassist Kevin Reutmanis for Roxy Music’s “In Every Dream Home A Heartache” to name a few?
If you’re a music fan or a Melvins fan or a music fan AND a Melvins fan then this record is a must own.
Everybody Loves Sausages is out through Ipecac Recordings on April 30th.
Grade: A