Mark Lanegan Here Comes That Weird Chill (Methamphetamine Blues, Extras And Oddities CD

Ex-Screaming Trees frontman Mark Lanegan growls his way through "Methamphetamine Blues" like Small Change-era Tom Waits singing something off of Mule Variations. It's a great, sleazy opener to this EP of "Methamphetamine Blues, Extras & Oddities" from the Mark Lanegan Band's upcoming full-length, Here Comes That Weird Chill. Boasting musical assistance from members of Ween, Afghan Whigs, and Masters of Reality, Lanegan and friends cover every angle of the lo-fi spectrum, from the psychedelic soul of "Message to Mine" to the Nick Cave-like balladry of "Lexington Slow Down." These are not simply four-track renderings of soon to be fleshed-out studio tracks or dull covers -- Captain Beefheart's "Clear Spot" -- they're gritty snapshots of a tenacious songwriter in love with the dark. The sound is a bit muddy throughout and the vocals are often treated excessively, but considering the "extras" tag these are minor gripes, especially when assaulted by the machine gun imagery that snakes its way through "Skeletal History." As far as sneak peaks go, the Here Comes That Weird Chill EP serves as a tantalizing primer. ~ James Christopher Monger

Subtitled - Methamphetamine Blues, Extras & oddities. As a full time member of Queens Of The Stone Age, Mark Lanegan is enjoying his highest profile since he fronted Screaming Trees. Here Comes That Weird Chill contains one track off his forthcoming full-length, Bubblegum, due out next spring 2004, and the other seven tracks are exclusive to this EP. Musical assistance from members of Ween, Afghan Whigs, & Masters Of Reality. Gatefold paper sleeve. Beggars. 2003.

Audio Mixers: Rick "Soldier" Will; Alain Johannes; Rail Jon Rogut; Tracy Chisholm.

Recording information: 11 a. d. Hollywood, CA (2003); Del Boca Vista, Pasadena, CA (2003); Kudzu Ranch, Mebane, NC (2003); Lawnmower Studios, Pasadena, CA (2003); Lethal Studios, Los Angeles, CA (2003); Rancho De La Luna, Joshua Tree, CA (2003); Sound City (2003); Stagg Steet (2003).

Personnel includes: Mark Lanegan; Joshua Homme (guitar, bass, drums); Alain Johannes (guitar, loops); Oliver Goldstein (harmonica, keyboards); Keni Richards (piano); Aldo Struyf (synthesizer); Jonathan Russon (bass); Adam Maples (drums); Tracy Chisholm (loops); Molly Mcquire, Wendy Rae Fowler, Natasha Shneider, Greg Dulli, Brett Netson, Nick Oliveri (background vocals).

Personnel: Chris Goss (vocals, guitar, background vocals); Josh Homme (guitar, drums); Alain Johannes (guitar, loops); Dean Ween, Ed Crawford , Dave Catching (guitar); Oliver Goldstein (harmonica, keyboards, synthesizer); Keni Richards (piano); Mary Huff (electric piano); Nick Oliveri (organ, synthesizer, background vocals); Greg Dulli (drums, background vocals); Adam Maples (drums); Tracy Chisholm (loops); Wendy Rae Fowler, Brett Netson (background vocals).

Q (2/04, p.102) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[E]ven with all the famous names, it's Lanegan's incredible voice that towers over the songs."
Uncut (1/04, p.106) - 3 stars out of 5 - "HERE COMES THAT WEIRD CHILL finds the fearsome Lanegan in an unusually playful mood."
Mojo (Publisher) (2/04, p.100) - 4 stars out of 5 - "Lanegan's baleful, soul-in-torment baritone takes no prisoners. Meaty sensitivity, par excellence, it is, then."