Artist: Kyuss
Label: Dali Records
Release Date: 1992
Rating: 4 Skulls
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Title: Blues for the Red Sun Artist: Kyuss Label: Dali Records Release Date: 1992
Rating: 4 Skulls |
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Reviewed by Solomon:
Welcome To Sky Valley (1994) was the first Kyuss collection I picked up, and I can't even remember exactly what attracted me to this band in the first place. I had maybe seen one video or heard a few songs prior to buying Sky Valley, but one thing I can say about Kyuss since then is they are one of the heaviest acts I've come across yet, and I mean HEAVY. Not "heavy" as in "fast" or "extreme," but "heavy" as in down-tuned, fuzzy, bottom-feeding reverbrations lumbering out of the desert like a sonic Brontosaurus, like Soundgarden with an extra dose of lead in its pants. Even though Sky Valley is a favorite of mine, Blues isn't too far off stylistically, and is a standing tribute to the band's reputation as purveyors of so-called "stoner" rock. "Stoner" rock is that 90's cousin of "doom" metal: same sludgy riffage but without the necessary dose of Prozac to get you through it. If the tag "stoner" brings to mind a bunch of dope heads with torn jeans sitting around the garage beating the hell out of their instruments in a drug-induced haze, Blues won't disappoint you, but Kyuss isn't a joke. Really, the music here is good, and some songs have certain deceptive complexities, particularly in the extended interlude of "50 Million Year Trip" (3:03). The band even throws in a track like "Capsized," a surprisingly sweet Celtic/Led Zeppelin ditty, just to keep you on your toes."Fun" and "humor" are the key words to keep in mind while spinning Blues. Those who like more focused work may get put off by the jammy, off-the-cuff nature of the record, but don't we need this once in a while? "Green Machine" provides the up-tempo metal drive, "Freedom Run" bring the grooves, and "Writhe" adds the extra grittiness to give your head a full-balanced meal. Vocalist John Garcia is a real stand-out character. His smart-ass, Hetfield croak and whine is easily recognizable and is a great match with some of the "what-the-hell-were-they-smoking-when-they-wrote-these" lyrics: "My hair is real long/No brains, all brawn/No shoes, just thongs" (from "Thong Song"). Even the songs titles are a crack-up: "Apothecaries' Weight," "Allen's Wrench," "Mondo Generator," etc. If you haven't done it already, it's time to add a little Kyuss to your diet.
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