Prick
Melvins · 1994
43 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock
A chaotic blend of heavy riffs and experimental sounds, balancing punk energy with unsettling atmospheres.
Top tracks — play these first
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How About Start here — Opening the album, this track encapsulates Melvins' signature blend of heavy guitar riffs and dynamic tempo changes, setting an unpredictable tone.
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Chief Ten Beers — This lengthy track showcases the band's ability to build tension through repetitive structures and sludgy riffs, embodying their experimental ethos.
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Roll Another One — With its extended runtime and psychedelic overtones, this closing track exemplifies the band's willingness to push boundaries and explore improvisational elements.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Prick showcases experimental structures and heavy riffs, balancing chaos with moments of stillness.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that features heavy guitar riffs and aggressive drumming, setting a chaotic tone.
- Several tracks incorporate unconventional song structures, often shifting tempos and dynamics unexpectedly.
- The final track is an extended piece of silence, creating a stark contrast to the preceding chaos and leaving the listener in an unsettling space.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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
- wave-like intensity fluctuations
- short bursts of chaos
- unpredictable song structures
- late-night headphone immersion
- cathartic release through noise
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward song formats
- seek consistent pacing throughout
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Prick marks a significant shift in sound, showcasing avant-garde influences.
- Themes
- chaotic energy· sludge metal humor· experimental noise landscapes
- Career context
- Released in 1994, Prick marked Melvins' first album after signing with a major label, Atlantic Records, following the underground success of Houdini. The band was transitioning from their established noise rock roots to explore more diverse and experimental sonic territories, which would set the stage for their future work in the alternative metal landscape.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Big Business· The Jesus Lizard· Torche
Tracklist
- 1 How About Start here 4:15
- 2 Rickets 1:20
- 3 Pick It n’ Flick It 1:39
- 4 Montreal 4:09
- 5 Chief Ten Beers 6:27
- 6 Underground 2:20
- 7 Chalk People 1:15
- 8 Punch the Lion 3:12
- 9 Pure Digital Silence 1:34
- 10 Larry 3:02
- 11 Roll Another One 14:18
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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