Monkeywrench

Featuring Mark Arm and Steve Turner of Mudhoney fame, together with label owner Tim Kerr and Gas Huffer's Tom Price, Monkeywrench is nothing less than a Punk/Grunge supergroup. You won't be surprised to find the same glorious, fuzzed-out mess that characterizes Mudhoney's work, but there are notable differences here: Monkeywrench provides a twisted take on everything from country to Psychedelic and offers impressive bluesy guitar playing. The boys are in fine form, having recovered from an eight-year gap in recording with the wonderfully pulverizing release of Electric Children in 2000. Songs such as "Solar Relegations" reveal the band at its best; the rhythm section lays down a fast and furious groove (Turner's bass playing is outstanding) while dueling guitars engage in a race to the finish line. Then there's Mark Arm's influential rasp -- an unkempt, sneering yowl. It's comforting to know these gents haven't settled down.