The Music Blog of the Infonistacrat!

You probably won’t see me post heavy metal here very often. I think since I started this project back in August of last year, I have done two posts that were heavy metal related. I know a lot of people love that stuff, but honestly, listening to it is like jabbing big assed knitting needles in my ears. It’s god awful painful. The lyrics, when you can decipher them, are pointless for the most part. And what the hell is up with all those acrobatic guitar solos? 99% of those Van Halen type runs have zero to do with the song, and seem to be added simply because the guitarist needs his 3 minute solo. There are a few exceptions…Randy Rhodes in Crazytrain is one of them. But mostly, it’s non-sense.

I tried to pick some great example of great guitar work in indie / underground rock that both show case the guitarists talents, as well as carry the song forward and add to the over all wall of sound. For that reason only do I add the Melvins. If you read elsewhere, you’ll see I’m not a huge Melvins fan. I recognize their contribution to the grunge sound…without them, there may never have been a Nirvana. But seriously, they sound like a complete ripoff of Black Sabbath, a band I don’t totally love either.

A better example is the Pixies. Listen to their music, and you’ll notice two things right away. First, Kim Deal has bass lines that are freaking brilliant, and carry the early, quiet part of their songs. Second, when Joey Santiago lets loose with his wall of sound guitar, it compliments the song, makes a hell of a great noise, and just seems natural. No acrobatic runs, just a guy getting the most out of his instrument. Great stuff. Like I said, I don’t mind loud guitars, I just want them to be a natural part of the song, and carry it forward. When I want acrobatics, I’ll watch the Olympics. Enjoy!

1. The Wipers - Nothing To Prove
2. Squirrel Bait - Tape From California
3. Minutemen - The Red And The Black
4. Savage Republic - Anemone
5. The Mekons - Last Night On Earth
6. Galaxie 500 - Strange
7. Spacemen 3 - Hey Man
8. Flaming Lips - Do You Realize%3f
9. Melvins - Going Blind
10. Black Flag - Rise Above
11. The Pastels - Breaking Lines
12. Thee Headcoatees - Dirty Old Man
13. The Vaselines - Son Of A Gun
14. Pixies - Hang Wire
15. Supersnazz - Baby Love