Meat Puppets Album: “Forbidden Places”

Forbidden Places was the Meat Puppets' debut album on a major label after recording several strong albums on SST Records. Although these albums have since been re-released by Rykodisc, this album for reasons unknown remains out of print. That's a shame because this is a very good album possessing not only much of the punk and country influences from their previous releases but also the melodic material that compromised their next and biggest selling album Too High To Die.

Like Too High To Die, Forbidden Places is a very diverse collection and most of the tracks are very good. The opening track "Sam" is one of the great rapid-fire lyric songs ala R.E.M.'s "It's The End Of The World As We Know It" only cooler with its lightning fast intro and chugging guitar line during the chorus. "Nail It Down" is also a strong track that would have sounded great on AOR radio when they still played cool up and coming bands. The tracks "Whirlpool", "This Day", and "Another Moon" are all melodic rockers that would have fit in well on Too High To Die. The straight country of "That's How It Goes" and the title track are also very good. The heavier tracks "Popskull" and "Open Wide" are decent, but not as strong as the rest of the album. However, it's the killer cowpunk instrumental "Six Gallon Pie", along with the aforementioned "Sam", that are the best tracks here. A very good album that truly deserves to be re-released since it's better than most of the music being put out these days.

The Meat Puppets really come into their own on this album. They effortlessly switch from power-rock to punk to melancholy ballads, held together by great lead vocals and cleverly obtuse lyrics (think They Might Be Giants). There really isn't a bad song on the entire CD. Though the Puppets finally broke into the mainstream with Too High To Die, this albums is their best.

"Sam" is one of the breakthrough songs of the emerging alternative audience of now-aging Gen-Xers in the early-mid nineties. Its rapid punk-styled vocals compliment a fun and exciting guitar background that makes one want to 'rock.' "Open Wide" also offers a intriguing, humorous look at salamanders. I shall never be able to walk through a swamp without fear again. These two songs, of all these great sounds, are the favourites. Really, though, "Forbidden Places" needs no specific mention of songs, as it is solid right through. The album is the best offered by the Meat Puppets, and that includes "II." Although "Plateu," "Oh, Me," "Lake of Fire," "New Gods," and "Lost" may define the phrase 'ahead of thier time,' and have influenced Nirvana to christen the grunge rock scene, "Forbidden Places" presents an authentic Alternative sound unmatched by any other band. Indeed, the whole of the Alternative scene seems to have fizzled out the same as New Wave and No Wave with pop, radio, and mediocrety, but this record, like its cover painting, stands as a monument to the true soul and spirit of all people who just don't give a f--k and wanna rock out. Buy it. Buy it before you buy any Nirvana or any other Meat Puppets record. Why has the best has been laid to rest?

There is not a weak track on this one. This is not only the best recording by the Meat Puppets, but overall one of the best CDs/albums out there.

Forbidden Places has pure indie pop, flawless hard rock, smooth quirky grooves, headbangin fun, and even a little country twang.

I wish I had more to say, but it's not really necessary. If you're a fan of heavier, edgier power pop (and the Pups don't always deliver that sound), then you'll love this perfect incarnation of it.

As others have said, this is a very accessible album. It's also a very good one. Great songwriting, vocal harmonies, and production. Runs the gamut from a country song about lying and spousal abuse (sounds grim, actually it's pretty funny) to full on straight-ahead rockers, with generous helpings of that soaring, ethereal Les Paul lead tone. A great album for wide open spaces. Highly recommended!