Melvins: Stoner Witch (1994)

Stoner Witch is arguably the path of least resistance for those first approaching the Melvins’ imposing discography; at least it was that way for me.

If you recall, upon the album’s release in late 1994, the grunge movement that the Melvins had an indirect role in spawning still ruled the musical zeitgeist -- despite the recent, gruesome death of the group’s early disciple, Kurt Cobain.

So, to some degree, King Buzzo, Dale Crover and (for the moment) Mark D, appeared to be partaking in their just rewards for sparking this commercial juggernaut, and extending a sonic olive branch, of sorts, to even the merely curious bystanders.

As such, the band scaled back their more punishing sludge-fests (except on the monumental “At the Stake”) and exotic asides (except for the feedback first half of “Magic Pig Detective”), and hammered out some surprisingly tight, even catchy axe-murders in “Queen” and “Revolve.”

By contrast, “Skweetis,” “Sweet Willy Rollbar” and “June Bug” were pint-sized bruisers, while “Goose Freight Train,” the truly frightening “Shevil,” and seemingly interminable “Lividity,” were all incongruously subtle.

And that left only the diverse dynamic flavors of “Roadbull,” with its devastating display of “per-Crover-ian” percussion.

No, I don’t really hear any stoner rock in Stoner Witch, though I’m aware lots of sweet leaf was involved, but then, the Melvins never sounded quite like anyone else working any particular niche: stoner, sludge, grunge, you name it.

True originals.