THE GRUNGE MATCH - 091

Match 091:

Alice In Chains "Queen Of The Rodeo" (Live) (1990)
Nirvana "Mrs. Butterworth" (1987)
Pearl Jam "All Or None" (2002)
Soundgarden "Bleed Together" (1997)

This version of "Queen Of The Rodeo" is also on "Music Bank", but since I didn't want to break up the track order of this live album if I have to use the whole thing, I put it here.  It was recorded in Dallas in November 1990.  It's their approximation of a country song, it's got a few cringe-inducing homophobic slurs (used to make the narrator make fun of themselves as a prejudiced piece of shit, but still) and has a thrash part out of nowhere for about four bars twice.  It's a mess that doesn't need to exist and further illustrates that Seattle bands all sucked when they tried to be funny.

"Mrs. Butterworth" has a fucking RIFF.  It also sounds like a song that they turned into something else later, but I can't place it.  In spite of this being a 4-track demo from June 1987, this is some really ferocious, raucous shit that has life to it.  It BANGS.  You don't even really mind the dumbass spoken word interlude where he does an imitation of a David Byrne monologue (well, not as much as you might have normally).

"All Or None" takes "Riot Act" out on a down note.  "It's a hopeless situation" it laments as it sways down the street after all the glass is broken and tear gas has cleared.  It takes a tone of hoping for a silver lining after learning of impending doom.  It's one of the better songs on "Riot Act" in that it has a personality, doesn't rely on a gimmick and has genuine emotion to it. 

"Bleed Together" is the only "new" song from Soundgarden's post-break up "A Sides" greatest hits collection (in spite of actually being a B-Side from the "Burden In My Hand" single).  I remember thinking this song sucked the taint when it came out.  It sounds more like fast Pearl Jam than Soundgarden, for one.  The pre-chorus is pretty good and the chorus is better than I remember it, in spite of some shite lyrics.  It's...still pretty meh, though.  Hardly fitting to be their last "new" song for thirteen years.

"All Or None": 4
"Mrs. Butterworth": 3
"Bleed Together": 2
"Queen Of The Rodeo" (Live): 1

TOTALS:

Alice In Chains: 239
Soundgarden: 239
Pearl Jam: 221
Nirvana: 211

Soundgarden actually tied for the lead with that forgettable piece of shit.  Yikes.  Anyways, they'll be moving on from forgettable to long-forgotten gold, as we venture toward the "Telephantasm".  Pearl Jam also finds themselves in...an avocado...Yeah, I don't get it either.  We'll find out together, I guess.

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