Mudhoney - The Lucky Ones
As raw as the album's three-and-a-half day gestation period suggests
With a two-chord salvo that all but obliterates the two intervening decades, I’m Now is a pre-emptive strike of an opener that harks back to Mudhoney’s Stooges-aping best. Lurking around the corner, the title track then delivers another Superfuzz-sized blow to the eardrums, all squalling guitar reverb from Steve Turner whilst Mark Arm bellows ominously, “the lucky ones are lucky they’re not around.” In short, it’s a thrilling start that’s as raw as the albums three-and-a-half day gestation period suggests. The rest of The Lucky Ones is a mixed bag. The Pavement-esque Shimmering Lights is a tad too whimsical and light, whereas Tales Of Terror is a nerve-jangling two-part behemoth of viscera and austerity. At such moments it’s only fair to assume that we, the listeners, are the lucky ones. [Darren Carle]