Forbidden Places
Meat Puppets · 1991
37 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock
A vibrant blend of alternative rock and psychedelic influences, woven together with introspective lyrics and catchy melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Nail It Down — The track stands out with its infectious energy and playful lyrics, capturing the essence of the band's quirky yet melodic style.
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This Day — This song features a reflective tone and intricate harmonies, showcasing the band's ability to blend thoughtful lyricism with engaging melodies.
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Forbidden Places — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of exploration and uncertainty, delivering a haunting melody that lingers long after listening.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting with varied tempos but lacks a strong cohesive flow throughout.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
- Several tracks feature layered guitar harmonies that create a rich, textured sound, particularly in 'Open Wide' and 'Whirlpool'.
- The lyrics often shift between personal introspection and abstract imagery, with a notable emphasis on storytelling in tracks like 'Nail It Down' and 'Forbidden Places'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- mid-tempo reflective listening experience
- consistent flow for casual enjoyment
- introspective moments throughout tracks
- vibrant soundscapes for exploration
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced instant gratification
- seek standalone hit singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Expanded the band's sound and reach, gaining wider recognition post earlier lo-fi works.
- Career context
- By the time 'Forbidden Places' was released in July 1991, the Meat Puppets were transitioning into a more polished sound following their earlier lo-fi recordings. This album came after their breakthrough with 'Too High to Die' and marked a period of experimentation as they sought mainstream recognition.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Pixies· Sonic Youth· They Might Be Giants
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Sam 3:12
- 2 Nail It Down 3:37
- 3 This Day 3:18
- 4 Open Wide 3:15
- 5 Another Moon 3:43
- 6 That’s How It Goes 3:28
- 7 Whirlpool 3:35
- 8 Popskull 3:10
- 9 No Longer Gone 4:00
- 10 Forbidden Places 3:04
- 11 Six Gallon Pie 3:24
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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