Maybe I Had A Different Opinion That Nobdy Ever Considered Important

Well it's been a hectic past few days, hence the pause in updates. Just been very busy with my arrival in Los Angeles living the "J" Fantasy, moving, and ultimately having all the difficulties with wireless and other equipment affected by such things.


Along the cross-country drive, which has been a noticeable theme as of late I spent a lot of time in the desert, which as a Northeast kid is really something new. It certainly made an impact, especially the brief turn in I-15 through Arizona. I had plenty of desert rock in tow for this portion. Tonight I begin what will be a noticeable, but not exclusive feature on that style.

I have always been a Meat Puppets fan, but seeing the group's home turf really added even more to that. This album, one that has been out of print for many years, and as a major label debut - stemming from a deal that caused the then-defunct band to reunite, is not uncommonly maligned. However, it is one of my favorites - perhaps the most after the legendary II and Up On The Sun. Many people are not familiar with it, unfortunately, but the Kirkwoods lived out my ultimate dream (for the context) and opned their mind-blowing perfomance at the Middle East downstars September 2007 with this album's opener "Sam." The fast-paced blast of cowpunk energy was the perfect way to start a legendary show.

The album does not wane from there one bit. "This Day" is reminiscent of the feel-good psychedelia of Up On The Sun even as the next track shows the band outdoing their own straightforward hard rock style heard in their later 80s work. The pattern continues through the whimsical psychobabble of "Whirlpool," and rockers like "Popskull," but what is a Meat Puppets record without the cowboy campfire sound of "That's How It Goes" or frenetic insturmental "Six Gallon Pie"?

Essential for even casual listners of the group.

Meat Puppuets - Forbidden Places (1991)