Hater - Self titled

Hater was a side-project formed by Soundgarden's Ben Shepherd and Matt Cameron, with former Monster Magnet guitarist John McBain. The band's self titled debut album also featured Devilhead bassist John Waterman and vocalist Brian Wood, brother of the late (and sadly missed) Mother Love Bone/Malfunkshun vocalist Andrew Wood.

Despite featuring Soundgarden personnel, the Hater sound bore little resemblance to Soundgarden, being based around Nuggets approved psychedelic garage rock sound with a liberal dose of humor (shock horror! Seattle band in humor shock!). However, elements of the Hater sound later emerged in Soundgarden's sound.

Opener Mona Bone Jakon is a relaxed mid-tempo romp through the Cat Stevens track, featuring Shepherd's deadpan but alluring vocals. Who Do I Kill? follows a similar vein. Lion and Lamb is a psychedelic instrumental featuring atmospheric mellotron.

Tot Finder, Roadside and Putrid feature Brian Wood on vocals, and perhaps unsurprisingly sound like Malfunkshun outtakes.

Down Undershoe and Blistered are the most Soundgarden-like tracks on the album - Soundgarden of the Down On the Upside future that is, with the former resembling Dusty, and the latter featuring eat-shit bass reminiscent of Ty Cobb.

Circles is a rapid-fire garage punk. Closer Sad McBain, arguably the standout track, is a mid-tempo cruncher featuring psychedelic freakout guitar, with Cameron's lyrics humorously poking fun at McBain ("Sad McBain, sad refrain, sounds the same, should be ashamed!").



Hater - 1993 - Self titled

1. Mona Bone Jakon
2. Who Do I Kill?
3. Tot Finder
4. Lion And Lamb
5. Roadside
6. Down Undershoe
7. Circles
8. Putrid
9. Blistered
10. Sad McBain

FLAC Pt1, Pt2, Pt3
MP3

Iommi/Gillan & Noel Gallagher

This weeks faves - a tie!

First, my two teenage heroes (the silver throated screamer and the riffmeister) reunited.

Second, my mid-twenties hero.

Just proves you don't have to be poor to be hardcore!

Typhoon - The Honest Truth

This weeks fave.

Dunno much about this band, but I saw this performance on Letterman and was mesmerised.....and not just because the string section are hot!!

Explosions in the Sky

This weeks new fave - how good is this?

Jimmy Eat World - Coffee and Cigarettes

My current fave song - Weezer-approved power pop!

One of those songs that worms it way into your subconcious.

I never gave this band a listen before as I, umm, hated their name! Still do.

On the strength of this track I sought out the Invented album, but I think this is the standout track.

Ears To The Ground

Shortest "break" in history?

No siree!

Just had to return to point you towards stilllisteningonyourbehalf's excellent blog Ears To The Ground, and in particular his excellent post on 2 Cellos. You won't believe their version of G'n'R's Welcome to the Jungle.

Time for a break

I'm going to have a break from this blogging caper to allow me to ruminate about a few things:

• whether this blog has served it's purpose?
• 
  
• whether to continue this blog or devise a new concept?
• 
  
• whether to kill off Ralphee D and create a new internet alias?
• 
  
• whether I have enough enthusiasm for any of the above?!

Thank you to all my regular readers, especially those who have taken the time to comment. Feel free to contact me if any of my links expire and I will reupload.

Special thanks go out to Rushbo, Adelle and Oxy, who I feel I've developed a special bond with. I hope to keep in touch with you via your own blogs!

And yes, Oxy, I'll keep the Lucid Ocean diaries going, although it's getting close to the end....