Lollipop

Forgive me for sounding like a production snob, I have quite a bit of tolerance for low-quality recordings, knowing that many great bands just never get the funding they need to make truly spectacular-sounding records. Then of course there is the aesthetic of low-fi. I could never imagine Nico and The Velvet Underground recorded in pristine, Beatles-type quality, nor could I imagine them actually being in tune.Over-compressed recordings are just something we all have to live with. Primarily because most of the public doesn't care when every instrument is so loud it makes your ears bleed and when there is no actual dynamics (in terms of volume; there is, of course, the appearance of dynamics in terms of attack). Also, compression is a means to make a cheap recording sound decent. It can work that way. It really can. If it's used sparingly and wisely. However, at some point during a medium-to-low budget production of an album, one has to decide to sacrifice clarity when the only other option is to produce a record that is truly painful to listen to.I trusted the Meat Puppets aesthetic. Not on this album. Simply put, this album sounds terrible. I actually cannot listen to it and I haven't listened to it since the day I bought it. Unfortunately I can't offer any reviews or opinions of the quality of songwriting because I can't get to the songs as I refuse to trudge through digital hell to do it!If you don't believe me, buy this album. Put it in your stereo. Slowly turn it up. It will begin sounding harsh and brittle and excessive crispy at even normal volume. If you are like me, you know the exact level with your stereo where you turn it to 'rock out.' This album will actually distort at that volume.Ultimately, I'm left confused. First of all, I don't understand why any of the other reviewers didn't comment on the production quality, or lack thereof, Lollipop. Maybe it's because the Meat Puppets are a band that you don't just like, you love. I love them. You want to give them the benefit of the doubt, knowing that in our upside-down culture, they may never make it to Abbey Road. I can't do that. This album is unacceptable. I want my money back. I couldn't find any contact to either their management team or their label so I decided to write this review to air my grievances.I am so confused as to why the Meat Puppets would sign off on something like this. Maybe they knew and couldn't afford to get it re-mastered. Do they care? They have to care. I'd really to know. And if I can't find out, I want my money back.

Lollipop and Rat Farm are a lot alike so I would say that if you like one you'll like the other. Rat Farm is my favorite, then Lollipop, then Too high to die. This band grows on ya. Songs that you think you don't like on first listen you end up loving after a few more listens. Everyone's tastes are different but for me this is a band I can listen to constantly all weekend long and never get tired of it. The song orange is the only one I skip over. It just doesn't fit. Those are my top three Meat Puppets albums, I have up on the sun, Huevos and Mirage also and like them in that order. Mirage hasn't grown on me yet, but it probably will. And I will probably buy all of their albums eventually. I want the song Sam from Forbidden Places but it's apparently out of print...whatever that means in this day and age. I might break down and buy the video since that seems to be the only way to get it outside of paying some ridiculous collectors item price for it. I think my favorite song on this album is Lantern...and Damn Thing...and Amazing...yea, I pretty much love the whole album. Love the harmonies! Love the simplicity! Love the originality! Love the Meat Puppets!

Lollipop isn't about the direction that Kirkwood, et al moves toward this time around, it's all about where they've individually and collectively been in their lives that molds the sound. The musical road map spans from Meat Puppets II up through Too High To Die, Snow and Eyes Adrift. As you listen to each track you'll be amazed by what you hear and which era the sounds transport you to. All the various styles of the years have been molded in to a tight, purposeful sound that is uniquely and unmistakably the Meat Puppets. I dare say that there is a vibe of peace, humor, humility and ennui mixed with a strong dose of a mushroom induced point of view that when wadded up and thrown against the wall, results in a sun that shines with familiar heat, while also sounding polished and even new to me. If you're like me and Curt Kirkwood's music seems to run your engine like a tank full of racing fuel, give Lollipop a try and I betcha if you bring your Lantern, it'll set fire to your night.

Like rush, but for different reasons, meat puppets should be in the rock hall of fame and should have a display in the hard rock cafes of the world, etc. (so should other SST bands like Minutemen; maybe just induct, enshrine SST). this record is another gem from the post-"Golden Lies" and Curt solo phase. I personally always like their harder rocking, or obtuse psychedelic stuff best. This has touches of those styles, but as others have pointed out these are songs that fit into the puppets "new groove." It's all genius stuff, still, and anybody who is crazy about the meat puppets has learned to expect these kinds of amazing results from their studio work. this one is no exception. I wish more artists would write like this. it seems like art, in fact.the recording (mix, master, etc.) is probably the best production since the solo cd Curt did called "Snow." Probably 4 songs for me are in the all time puppets top tier. all are very good to great.

Lollipop is a great release that has grown on me over the last few listens. While I'll always love their 80s and early 90s material, they kind of lost me after No Joke. Sewn Together, Golden Lies and Rise To Your Knees are all decent albums but not ones I find myself going back to that often. But Lollipop seems a lot more honest and fun than those and a lot more memorable as well. I love the country-tinged tracks like Shave It and Baby Don't, but it's really The Spider and The Spaceship that steals the show for me. Vintage oddball Meat Puppets that will make any jaded music fan smile with its bizarre lyrics and simplistic musical approach - both trademark Puppets characteristics. Lollipop is a great album and any Puppets fan should have it in their collection.

兄弟で再結成したミート・パペッツの最新作。グランジブームに巻き込まれ、作風も迷走（ゴールデン・ライズはラップ調の曲もあったような）し、弟の逮捕（だったっけ？）もあって一時休止していたミート・パペッツ、兄弟で復活した3作目。復活後のアルバムは彼ららしい飄々とした感じが戻ってきていると思います。どこか乾いて浮遊感があるのが彼ららしさだと思いますが、復活後は録音状況もよく、以前よりも聴きやすくなったかなと。カートのボーカルも以前よりも力みが抜け、安定している気がします。今後もコンスタントにアルバムを出してほしいバンドです。