Melvins
A Live History Of Gluttony And Lust

THE REVIEW

"A Live History of Gluttony and Lust" is yet another Melvins album. Also released in 2006, just like "A Senile Animal," for Ipecac, it is a reworking of "Houdini", a superb album from '93 partly produced by Cobain, this time recorded live in the studio.

Given these premises, this album may seem like a sad commercial operation... I mean, something done just to rake in a few (so to speak) dollars... but damn it, that's not the case. The tracks are played at a faster speed compared to the studio album, and they are appreciated more for their fury than for any sophistication. Spectacular sounds, Dale Crover hammering like a madman, feedbacks chasing each other beautifully. The result is that the songs that are usually overlooked when listening to Houdini take on a new shape here... in short, they can be greatly appreciated... for example, "Pearl Bomb".

This song opens the album and surprises you greatly... the annoying sampling of "Houdini" is replaced with the hi-hat and bass with Buzzo's highly distorted guitar, and it really sounds like a song. "Hooch" opens as always with the drums (a little overuse of the double bass) and immediately after, powerful guitars and vocals... that is, in full Melvins style. "Night-Goat" is introduced with a long feedback abruptly interrupted by the highly distorted bass of (the bassist of the moment) Trevor Dunn. Still, with the various chaos they create, the song ends up lasting 7 minutes and 36 seconds. "Lizzie" appears surreal, intangible, softer (almost impossible for a tank called Melvins) than the album... the chorus, in fact, is not blasted in your face but placed gently. "Going Blind", a famous Kiss cover, shows a bit of people how to play since it's the same as the album (and the others too, to be clear) despite that annoying riff for just one guitar live.
"Cop-Ache" is another example of how the Melvins enjoy ruining their songs. Here it is beautiful on "Houdini", it has to be searched for amid the noise.

"Set Me Straight/Deserted Cities Of The Heart" two songs, their own and the Cream cover, perfectly rendered in Melvins style, which in 2 minutes and 51 seconds (together eh) are born and die in full style... ihihih.

"Sky Pup", a strange piece it was, a strange piece it remains, just much more brutal. "Teet" travels the same as the album and for twenty seconds almost gives your ears a rest... oops the chorus... it starts again! "Joan of Arc" my favorite song from Houdini... I don't know what to say... it seems perfect from every point of view... highlight Buzzo's scream that chills your blood. "Honey Bucket": pure violence, total depravity... people put down your crack pipes. Open your ears wide. You are in the presence of the best drummer on earth who takes you down at will. This is the most violent peak. "Hag Me" slow, martial, funereal... in short, the best Black Sabbath played at half speed... sounds like Boris from Bullhead.

The album closes with "Spread Eagle Beagle" but this time there's no Kurt causing a ruckus in the background but Lustomord... I know, I know: the world is cowardly, life is shit, etc.
In short, it would certainly be a great metal album... too bad that the B-side of "My War", the second Black Flag album, exists, which explains a few things to us!

In any case, this is an album that will leave everyone who listened to "Houdini" on their ass!!!