Arizona’s Meat Puppets are habitually termed ‘survivors’. True in the most literal sense: bassist Cris Kirkwood all but obliterated himself with narcotics. Moreover, their reputation, briefly boosted by Kurt Cobain’s patronage in the ’90s, has stayed intact – rare for a band 33 years and 14 albums old. ‘Rat Farm’ is a worthy addition to their legacy, with the Puppets’ stock moves – gently fried country-rock and psychedelia with Neil Young-worthy guitar solos – used to stirring effect. More laidback than their most feted, punk-derived early albums, this nevertheless compares favourably with the new ‘un by Meat Puppets fans Milk Music.
Noel Gardner