Meat Puppets - Up on the Sun

This is the album where most fans agree that Curt, Cris, and Derrick came into their own as a totally original artistic force, where the intricate wordplay of Curt's heat-driven visions is finally matched by the tricky rhythmic exchanges and turbulent, trippy melodicism emanating from the instruments. When listening to songs such as the whistle-led "Maiden's Milk," the outrageously Talking Heads-funky "Away," or the giddy, rollicking "Seal Whales," it becomes almost impossible to believe that only three instruments could create such a delicate, textured record. It truly seemed that this Phoenix trio had managed to capture the sound of the desert on vinyl--the sense of echoing loneliness, the cactus prickliness, the vast open spaces. This reissue (originally released in 1985) includes five bonus eight-track demos. --Everett True Amazon.com essential recording

Absolute Masterpiece

After Meat Puppets I, the indie fans expected another raspy punk rant and they got a psychedelic, country-rock excursion. When the fans were then expecting the same on their 3rd effort, this is what happened: Up on the Sun. A beautifully interwoven mix of undistorted guitars playing almost jazzy, occasionally complex, tweed-pop licks. Amazing bass lines, interplaying perfectly with the guitar. And lyrics that make you cock your head and wonder what these guys were smoking. (Up in my head there's an animal kingdom, I am the king of the animals there)

This is an album whose style, in the history of music, has never been duplicated or even attempted. Even those that don't care for it must admit to its originality. You may find it too weird or different for your liking, but that's the way Curt & co. like it. Weird. Original. Like nothing else you've ever heard. They never cared if it wasn't accessible to the public. Sorry if that upsets some people, but that's what they're about.

So for me, this is THE perfect example of why the Meat Puppets are the greatest band the world will never appreciate. Totally original, musically amazing, never compromising. Please expose yourself to their genius.
December 23, 2008

One of the greatest rock albums ever. Seriously

Regardless of what type of rock you like. If you like music that rocks, you NEED to get this album. It's one of the most incredible rock albums I've ever experienced. It's SO hard to believe the music on here is coming from just 3 people. Some people complain about Curt's low whiny voice on this one. This was slightly before Curt and Cris fully learned how to sing in that beautiful harmony with eachother that they've done on every album since, but it doesn't even make a difference on this album because the music is so incredible. Swimming Ground, Hot Pink, Two Rivers, Maiden's Milk, Up on the sun, Buckethead. I can't think of a bad song on this whole album. This album also has the best bonus tracks I've ever heard on any reissue, especially Mother American Marshmallow and the slow version of Up on the Sun. Anyway, I could go on about how great this album is forever. Do yourself a favor and get it now. September 12, 2008

The Pups best work

This album is just so amazing. The mellow vocals, the dizzying instrumentation, it all just flows into absolute bliss. As an added bonus, my dad was playing the title track during my birth. And as for you people who say 2 was better, you're insane. While 2 may have great songs, this one is the definate masterpiece. 2 is merely a close second. February 6, 2007

gentle blissful cowpunk for driving across the desert

I've long loved the Meat Puppets, and was ecstatic to see them live, at a dinky little club in Madison, Wisconsin in 1988; it was my only time ever in a mosh pit, though, it being a Meat Puppets show, it was a more playful than aggro group of moshers. I had much fun that night.

Anyway, this, along with Meat Puppets II, is my favorite of their many recordings. Later records would generally contain anywhere from two or three to a half-dozen great tracks. But with Up on the Sun, they deliver the goods from start to finish. Granted, it's not as punky speedy as is II, but it need not be. Instead, what it is is a record of gentle, semi-acoustic tunes, with an emphasis on tunefulness. Check out a song like Swimming Ground, or Away, and try to keep from smiling; I don't think it can be done.

Overall, I'd describe this as gentle, blissful cowpunk, appropriate for driving across the Arizona desert after having consumed a few bites of hash brownies. December 9, 2005

Beyond categorization.....and brilliant!!!

Up On The Sun is the Meat Puppets' third album and the followup to their now legendary Meat Puppets II which introduced the world to cowpunk, a mixture of country and punk music. While that album as well as several of their releases are easy to define (ex...Meat Puppets I is their punk album, Huevos, the power-trio album, Monsters, the heavy album), Up On The Sun is beyond categorization. It is also their most cohesive listen and ranks with Meat Puppets II and Too High To Die as their best work.

While their first two albums were furious and very ragged, the songs here are much tighter. Their brand of cowpunk is replaced by songs that are equally based on mood and melody and the results are stunning. Curt Kirkwood's vocals are very somber and this along with his moody guitar work truly carry the album. The excellent tracks "Away", "Buckethead", and "Swimming Ground" are both upbeat and catchy while "Animal Kingdom" has a strong new-wave vibe with Curt's unique guitar work providing the appropriate background. Songs like "Hot Pink" and the title track are very laid back and feature creative interplay between Curt and his bass-playing brother Cris. The tracks "Enchanted Pork Fist" and "Creator" offer glimpses of their punk sound but are much more structured than tunes like "New Gods" and "Split Myself In Two" from their previous release. The band continue to write great instrumentals as both "Maiden's Milk" and "Seal Whales" add to the album's low-key vibe. Other strong tracks include the haunting "Two Rivers" and "Too Real." As with all of their remastered releases, Rykodisc has added several bonus tracks. There are two additional versions of "Hot Pink", a looser version that's pretty decent, and a longer and weirder instrumental version that drags on for over 8 minutes. There's also a killer instrumental called "Embodiment of Evil" and "Mother American Marshmallow" which is essentially a strung out version of "Maiden's Milk." All told, this is a great and very original album which is at its best when listened to in its entirety. If you know the band for Too High To Die or Meat Puppets II, this album may catch you off guard. However, as their longtime fans know, the Meat Puppets change gears with each album, and Up On The Sun is one of their best. Highly recommended. April 10, 2005

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