Up on the Sun

Up On The Sun is the Meat Puppets' third album and the followup to their now legendary Meat Puppets II which introduced the world to cowpunk, a mixture of country and punk music. While that album as well as several of their releases are easy to define (ex...Meat Puppets I is their punk album, Huevos, the power-trio album, Monsters, the heavy album), Up On The Sun is beyond categorization. It is also their most cohesive listen and ranks with Meat Puppets II and Too High To Die as their best work.While their first two albums were furious and very ragged, the songs here are much tighter. Their brand of cowpunk is replaced by songs that are equally based on mood and melody and the results are stunning. Curt Kirkwood's vocals are very somber and this along with his moody guitar work truly carry the album. The excellent tracks "Away", "Buckethead", and "Swimming Ground" are both upbeat and catchy while "Animal Kingdom" has a strong new-wave vibe with Curt's unique guitar work providing the appropriate background. Songs like "Hot Pink" and the title track are very laid back and feature creative interplay between Curt and his bass-playing brother Cris. The tracks "Enchanted Pork Fist" and "Creator" offer glimpses of their punk sound but are much more structured than tunes like "New Gods" and "Split Myself In Two" from their previous release. The band continue to write great instrumentals as both "Maiden's Milk" and "Seal Whales" add to the album's low-key vibe. Other strong tracks include the haunting "Two Rivers" and "Too Real." As with all of their remastered releases, Rykodisc has added several bonus tracks. There are two additional versions of "Hot Pink", a looser version that's pretty decent, and a longer and weirder instrumental version that drags on for over 8 minutes. There's also a killer instrumental called "Embodiment of Evil" and "Mother American Marshmallow" which is essentially a strung out version of "Maiden's Milk." All told, this is a great and very original album which is at its best when listened to in its entirety. If you know the band for Too High To Die or Meat Puppets II, this album may catch you off guard. However, as their longtime fans know, the Meat Puppets change gears with each album, and Up On The Sun is one of their best. Highly recommended.

Up On the Sun continues the psychodelic cowpunk that the Puppets virtually invented, coming close on the heels of their great sophomore record, II. It sounds like you've taken a bit too much...eh, y'know, in places.Five stars for the music.ZERO STARS FOR AMAZON FULFILLMENT! They mailed this to my house TWICE (once after I returned the severely damaged product), mailing it completely unprotected in a flimsy plastic bag that wasn't even close to the size as the record, and of course, it was damaged in transit. Either the robots at Amazon have never seen an LP, or the GenZ minion who packed it has never seen a record before and simply has no concept that they are fragile, heat sensitive and damage beyond repair easily. I have never had Bezo$Vi$ion Inc. be so careless before, even with socks. Go figgr.

Do I personally like this album the most by proto-grunge delights Meat Puppets? Absolutely.Is their music the most accessible without being mainstream grunge? Correct.Is there really any reason to not like this album if you enjoy indie rock? Of course not.You know this already. How’s the vinyl, you ask? It’s as good as the music. Nothing fancy. There are no extras or frills here. There’s a vinyl record and a jacket to put it in. I believe the disc came in a typical paper cover, which should be promptly replaced with a proper sleeve. It plays at 33 as you’d expect. The pressing is clean and sounds clear and deep.If you have a record collection at all then buy this.

One of their more complex works with excellent guitar, possibly their best, and lyrics just as suited to their style as their oft-quoted best album in II. If you buy II first then this should be the second or third album of theirs you try out IMO. The remastering is fantastic and you won't be disappointed there. Give it a try.

Saw them in '87 @ The Bayou in Baton Rouge, and now have all of the whistling right-here in my grips.2 versions of the title hit on this particular rendition!!A real sing-a-long experience it is!!

Best MP album of the lot. If there is one to buy, this is it.

Great reissue.

Come on its the Meat Puppets. They are one of the most influential 80s-90s acts and this album is one of their better works.

3rdにして最高傑作。ポップセンスが弾けたかのような名作。レモネードと南部アメリカンな田舎町の暑い日が似合うような、まったりとした暖かみを感じるギターとベース。そして、いかにも無気力なボーカル。雪国な方にはピン来ない表現かもしれませんが、とにかく最高。よくグレイトフルデッドの影響を受けてるとされる。それはまさしくその通りで、ギターはサイケデリック風である。あくまでも自然体を貫き通すというような無気力ボーカルが、そんな曲調にあっていて、素晴らしい。しかし、ほかの方も述べている通り、グレイトフルデッドよりもポップです。此の手のサイケデリック、またはカントリーウェスタン、フォークロックのような音楽が好きな方にとってはほとんど欠点のみつからないアルバムではないだろうか。アートワーク通り、午後のまったりタイムにピッタリな一枚です。

癖になるギター、気だるいヴォーカル、抽象的な歌詞、、、とくに♯11は私の一番のお気に入りです。

All of a sudden the Meat Puppets had chops. Psychedelic guitar work (with lots of lovely delay sounds), harmonised singing that's out of tune with the music but in perfect tune with each other, some of the best songs they ever wrote, really nice bass tone matches really nice bass playing.Best Meat Puppets album.

Such a great album - highlights include Maiden's Milk, Too Real, Enchanted Porkfist and Sea Whales - but the album works fantastically as a whole. Rare combination of complexity and optimism -- its a masterclass in how to be happy and delight in the world without being cheesy...

... this makes me the happiest