Meat Puppets

The Pups have outlived nearly all their Eighties alt-rock peers, literally and/or functionally ”“ which, given bassist Cris Kirkwood’s past appetite for self-destruction, is pretty amazing. More amazing, they still make good records. Their finest moments ”“ Up on the Sun, Meat Puppets II ”“ have teetered between country Dadaism, psychedelic drool and punk mess. Ditto the best songs here, though with less mess. ”˜Lantern’ two-steps to a chant of “dust in my eyes” with exquisite, Jerry Garcia-style guitar curlicues by Curt Kirkwood. On the trippy waltz ”˜The Spider and the Spaceship,’ Curt confesses, “I don’t think too clearly on matters sincerely.” But clear thinking, as dude certainly knows, can be overrated.

Key Tracks: ”˜Lantern,’ ”˜The Spider and the Spaceship’