Five Dollar Bob's Mock Cooter Stew＜Dark Red Vinyl＞

Described by Mark Arm on release as a chance to get new songs out for fans in between albums -- which might not sound important, but for a band on an album-centric major label still counts for something -- Five Dollar Bob's Mock Cooter Stew is part compilation, part collection of new goodies. One cut is a spectacular re-recording from the previous year's Piece of Cake, "Make It Now," here titled "Make It Now Again" and taking no prisoners from its heavy-duty psychedelic start, while two further efforts, "Deception Pass" and "Underide," had previously appeared on Piece of Cake-related singles. Of the four new songs, meanwhile, they're a rough but engaging little blend. "In the Blood" is one of the more restrained and almost personal cuts Mudhoney ever recorded, with a mid-range pace and a slightly queasy organ part setting a downbeat mood that Arm resignedly sings over. "No Song III" keeps things from being too down, though; this time around the analog synth creates an almighty buzz that Suicide could have been proud of while the foursome rips along at a fast clip, Dan Peters showing some sharp drumming flair as he goes. "Between You and Me Kid" explores a newer touch for the group, with a honky tonk country touch that hints at the following year's collaboration with Jimmie Dale Gilmore. "Six Two One," in contrast, sticks to Mudhoney-qua-Mudhoney, garage rock straight up that looks in the face of grunge's success and laughs. Speaking of humor, the credits get in a gentle jab at Nirvana (a few months before that became impossible), with the producer/Young Fresh Fellows member credited as Curt and Kurdt Bloch (real spelling: Kurt). ~ Ned Raggett