Working with God
Melvins · 2021
37 min · 13 tracks · alternative rock
A chaotic blend of sludge metal and experimental rock that harnesses humor amidst heavy riffs and unconventional song structures.
Top tracks — play these first
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I Fuck Around Start here — This track serves as a perfect entry point to the album, featuring catchy hooks layered over dense guitar riffs while encapsulating the band's trademark humor.
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Negative No No — The song's dynamic shifts between frenetic energy and slower grooves illustrate the band’s mastery of contrast, making it a standout experience on the album.
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The Great Good Place — With its expansive soundscape and introspective lyrics, this track showcases a more contemplative side of the band while maintaining their signature heaviness.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends short, punchy tracks with longer experiments, showcasing a distinctive chaotic style.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features shorter, punchy tracks that rarely exceed three minutes, while the second half includes longer, more experimental pieces.
- Several tracks incorporate abrupt tempo changes and unconventional song structures, creating a sense of unpredictability.
- The lyrics often employ surreal imagery and dark humor, contributing to the overall chaotic atmosphere of the record.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- 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
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- fragmented bursts of chaotic energy
- brief tracks for quick enjoyment
- playful irreverence with sharp humor
- late-night listening with friends
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, cohesive albums
- want polished, refined production
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued creativity and relevance in the artist's later years.
- Themes
- chaotic humor· heavy riffs· experimental contrasts
- Career context
- Released in 2021, Working with God marks the Melvins' first album since their lineup shift with bassist Steven McDonald joining. This album continues their legacy of genre-defying music, following the critically acclaimed A Walk with Love & Death from 2017. The Melvins have developed a reputation for their relentless experimentation, and this record solidifies their enduring presence in the alternative rock scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Big Business· The Jesus Lizard· Torche
Tracklist
- 1 I Fuck Around Start here 2:21
- 2 Negative No No 3:50
- 3 Bouncing Rick 3:39
- 4 Caddy Daddy 4:26
- 5 1 Brian, The Horse-Faced Goon 0:42
- 6 Brian, The Horse-Faced Goon 2:06
- 7 Boy Mike 3:47
- 8 1 Fuck You 2:27
- 9 Fuck You 0:10
- 10 The Great Good Place 3:50
- 11 Hot Fish 4:58
- 12 Hund 3:15
- 13 Good Night Sweetheart 2:08
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Liar
The Jesus Lizard
Shares chaotic energy and unconventional structures with heavy, dissonant riffs.
1000 Hurts
Shellac
Utilizes a similarly abrasive sound palette and experimental approach to rhythm and song form.
Scattered, Smothered & Covered
Unsane
Combines sludge elements with a raw, gritty aesthetic and dark humor in lyrical content.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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