Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge

Sounds like a load of songs that didn’t quite make the Tony Hawks soundtrack.

On my first attempt at university, I was not a good student. Tuesdays, in particular, I would go to my 11am English lit lecture with my mate Grant, and then we would trundle off to Manning Bar when it opened at noon, because Tuesday was band day. Every lunchtime there would be a free band, usually some local alternative band. But hard to argue with free, right? One week in March of 1990, we ambled up to the bar, where they were lugging in very large, but incredibly beaten up, amplifiers. "Who's playing?" I enquired of Ian the Activities Officer. "Mudhoney" he replied. "Cool", I thought. The chance to see an overseas band was a special treat, and I knew the name, even if I wasn't familiar with their music. At 1pm, they shambled out and ripped through a cacophonous and powerful set, largely based on Superfuzz Bigmuff and their self-titled record. They were a revelation. They were loud and fast and angsty and funny and drunk as hell (at lunchtime!). This was music as I wanted it to be. Proper dangerous punk rock that didn't take itself too seriously. As I recall, lots of people thought it was a terrible racket and left, but it sure made a mark on me. As soon as the set finished, I hiked up to Scratches Records at Newtown and bought a copy of Superfuzz Bigmuff, which is one of my all-time favourite records. I went to see them a few times that tour, and on their next tour, which was in December of the same year if I remember correctly. I saw them at the Lansdowne Hotel, the Phoenician Club, the Paddington RSL, and then a few years later at the Big Day Out. I love, love, love, their stuff. I had been hanging around on the Sydney alternative live scene for a couple of years, so this made a lot of sense to me. Australian alternative had a lot of the elements of grunge (that noisy, punky garage rock thing, leavened with a piss-take attitude), but this was the first American band that I had seen doing what became known as grunge, which was about to take off. Fudge is generally regarded as their best album, and it is pretty damn great. Personally, I would recommend Superfuzz (the CD versions with the extra singles on it for a real taste) but this a terrific album. I love the fuzzy, terrible recording quality, the sloppy playing, the punk energy, the humour, the sense of being out of control. It helped codify my musical taste (and also heavily influenced the terrible band I was in for most of the 90s). Mudhoney were my band. I bought their records, I wore the t-shirts, I saw them live as often as I could. I ended up working at Scratches not long after that, so I had a front row seat for the explosion of grunge in 1991. Oh to be 20 years-old again, working in a little record shop and seeing bands three or four nights a week at a time when there was something so exciting happening in music. While the explosion of underground music into the mainstream was exciting at the time, in the long term it didn't really turn out well for many people (including independent alternative record stores). But that's a story for another day... My infatuation with Mudhoney did influence me in one way that I regret. When Nirvana's Nevermind exploded, I was pretty lukewarm on it. everyone I knew who worked in alternative record stores got thoroughly sick of how overplayed it was. I mean, good record, but it's not Mudhoney now is it? And so I didn't buy tickets to see Nirvana when they played the Phoenician. I really regret that. But I don't regret ever listening to Mudhoney. They are still my band. I really love this record, but is it really a must hear? It is for me, but maybe not for everyone. Four stars

I tried to like it. I really did. And any one of those songs is fine. Good, even. But, man that album felt like a slog to me. There’s just so much of it. And every song is not as [adjective] as [contemporary reference band].

Sounds like 1992 and I love it.

This album has had my dick hanging out the back of it since day one. It still gets me hard, unlike your mum.

Early influential grunge, but not overly impresive nowadays. Nothing stands out as exceptional or as terrible. A recording of its time

I love grunge but Mudhoney is at the crappy end of it imo. Yeah I know they were practically the first grunge band, but they lean too heavily into the alternative art rock DIY garage band stuff where I prefer my grunge to sound like AIC and Soundgarden. I've heard this album a few times, it kinda just exists. It's not horrible, but it's not actually good and I wouldn't listen to it for fun. Seems to be propelled by reputation alone. 2/5.

Turgid pish

Not being very familiar with the genre, I find it hard to review classic grunge in any other way than through the lens set up by Nirvana. In a direct comparison, Mudhoney lack Nirvana's catchy choruses and Kurt's iconic delivery thereof. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this one a lot more than I thought I would. It has some pretty good hooks and isn't too chaotic and certainly not mindless (my usual complaints regarding grunge and punk-inspired genres in general). The album length was perfect too, as I stayed engaged throughout. Good album.

Some pretty passable Seattle grunge, but someone else did it better

They get labeled as grunge because they're a Seattle band using heavy distortion in 1991, but there are more punk elements here than anything: an abundance of two-minute songs, shouty repetitive choruses, a lead singer who can't carry a tune, and purposefully mediocre production quality (because using low quality tape totally owned those studios, man). I vacillated between being impressed by the balls on these guys and annoyed by this album's existence, which was probably the point. Best track: Good Enough

I don't always listen to garage punk and proto grunge but when I do, I'll now make sure it's Mudhoney. Really now. My 5 stars often reflect how much I enjoyed an album within this 1001AYMHBYD challenge and this is the shit. Certainly one of the shits. Also, best harmonica I've heard so far. Looking at you, Bob.

Exceptional Grunge Band Destroys Faces

I'd seen the name of this band before but never listened. I liked it!

Whenever I hear this album I hear the distant thunder of a revolution. This is grunge! Everything else (except for the Melvins) are also rans. Released a full two months ahead of Nevermind this was touted as the album that would break through. But overall it wasn't. Too dirty sounding, having used an 8 track to do the recording, this wasn't a radio friendly album. That is why it is important. As it flew against the expectation and in a way Mudhoney took a step back so they could keep having fun. And that is what it is all about - having fun. I still hate the cover though but treasure my limited pressing on Fudge coloured vinyl

I had never heard of this album or band before this, but was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed listening. Big fan of the guitar work on this record - there's something magical about fuzzy sounding guitars. Lowkey inspiring me to whip out my electric again and mess around with my effect pedals. The guitar is definitely what stood out to me the most and what I enjoyed the most, but I also liked the vocals. Album was chaotic in a way that I thoroughly enjoyed. Might check out more by this band!

Nice grunge album with better vocals than I typically expect from the genre!! 8/10

Been meaning to listen to them for years. Scrappy, garage punk version of grunge. Cool guitar shit. I dig it!

Very listenable except for one song with snoring sounds in the middle. Sound is more late 90s indie, although can hear more classic early 90s seattle grunge too.

Grunge. No está mal, pero no me ha encantado del todo.

A pretty good grunge rock album. Apparently one of the first. Didn't quite have that hopeless edge that grunge excels at

Opening instrumental Generational Genocide sets me up for an off-kilter carnival. Mudhoney sold me the world, inviting me to something truly spectacular and never-before seen. I went along for the ride, had some fun, but left feeling slightly disappointed. Like true carnies.

Nope.

The grungiest of the major grunge bands. Mudhoney don’t get enough credit for the inventiveness of their sonic textures, which are on full display on this record. And some of the guitar solos are wonderfully demented.

Screw it. 5.

Definitely an evolution on the debut album we had a few weeks ago, (slightly) better put together and a bit more varied. Know who you driving now from an ash cover and I'm sure I recognise fuzz gun 91. Generally thought the album was great, this one sounded even more like lots of later bands. There were a couple of tracks closer to the end that were more average so I'll say 4.5 but definitely listening again.

Although it's a record that would most certainly appear in my own list of 1,001 greatest albums, it's not a record I expected to see here for some reason. Although they had some of the spotlight in the late 80s and early 90s when they were saddled with the grunge tag, they've always seemed to operate just beneath the surface. It's a shame they're not better known - their brand of raw, garage rock (not grunge - leave that to bloody Pearl bloody Jam) has always cut right to the quick. Mark Arm's distinctive vocals, belting out over those jagged guitars are immediately identifiable. This whole package is great - the title, the artwork, the tunes. And it's got Broken Hands on it - an alt anthem everyone should know, but sadly very few do.

Another one I never listened to in full. Is it possible to make grunge grungier? These guys did that here with a garage aesthetic that really shines through all that fuzz

I completely agree.

I'm trying to put it into context.........coming out of the synth-heavy pop 80s and the hair band rock, this stripped down garage band sound must have sounded absolutely revolutionary. But now......it's......... ok? I hear a little Kurt and Pearl Jam in it (osmosis by association?). I wish they dug a little deeper, got a little weirder.

This album makes we want to go camping and run naked in a cornfield. Fun times.

Esse álbum é muito divertido de ouvir. Mudhoney em grande forma. Como é um álbum que já escutei muito decidi fazer uma audição com um fone não óbvio para ele. Foi uma experiência bem legal, como assisti Mudhoney em uma casa pequena e sufocante. QKZxHBB Hades.

Better than Coldplay

I really enjoyed this. Good, fun, REAL music.

Love this album, what a band. It has everything going on right from the iconic artwork, a great set of songs which really capture the energy and excitement of Mudhoney at their best.

Nice. Quite grungy. I really enjoyed Something So Clear, and Broken Hands. Fuzz Gun '91 surprised me too. This was my introduction to Mudhoney. I will likely listen to more.

Wild, unhinged, guttural and completely absorbing.

To the "I just prefer Nirvana and Pearl Jam" crowd: YOURE POSERS!!!! This is real grunge, raw, unfiltered and artistic.

Biased since I went to a concert of them recently. Singer still has a great voice after all these years. One of my favorite grunge albums, the playing is superb and the songs are all really active and hyped. Gotta compensate for the low score this has as well.

MUDHONEY LFG!!! Not my favorite Mudhoney album but still full of bangers and solid front to back. Maybe the most underrated of all the grunge bands but I can see why they wouldn’t have been one of ones to fully break out. This album rules.

yes

Real grunge for real people.

Some of the best out of the Grunge movement. Perfect, tight, dissonant, clever album. More, plz.

Awesome grunge with personality.

started a reluctant wednesday with this and really enjoyed it. hell yes to never being too professional

neat punk with some great variation. saved.

Yeah this is still a near-perfect grunge record with fast, catchy songs all over - had not listened to Mudhoney for many years and thought the album may have that outdated grunge sound, but it still sounded fresh, and I like it very much.

sehr gut

Loved the metal grunge vibe!

Something new, surprised I hadn’t heard of them before

Very important album in my teenage years. Incredible!

Punchy. I want some fudge now.

A little dark and gloomy, but good bit of energy and chaos in this. It's dirty, gritty, drone-y and perfect. Listened to this nonstop for about two hours before settling on a five. Would def. listen to this againif I didn't have such a mountain of unfinished reviews to write.

HELL YEAH GRUNGE LET'S GOOOOOOOOO

Such a good album, easy 5 star

Ooh, this was a very good grunge and punk album, which I'd never heard before. All these tracks were amazing in my opinion, and I have to admit I was kinda into the harmonica in one or two of these tracks. Favourite: Move Out

I recall being sniffy about this album at the time, it didn't seem to have the youthful swagger & snarl of earlier releases. Listening to it now ... sounds amazing!

Okay, this isn’t universal, but it’s a classic to me (even if you never heard it, you heard Nirvana and Pearl Jam after Mudhoney’s influence).

This is like if In the Aeroplane over the sea was a punk album. Maybe that comparison is stupid but it makes sense to me at this particular moment in time. Either way, this is quite good for my punk-loving soul, unlike anything I've ever heard.

Really good grunge album! Hadn't heard of these guys before. A couple really cool tracks. Highly recommend.

okay

amazing

Now that's more like it

One of my favorite bands... hell, at times they are my absolute favorite. Great band to see live. This is a classic in my book, just got the 30th anniversary version of this on vinyl. Glad to see it here on the list. These guys are still cranking out great stuff. I'd argue their last 3 records (The Lucky Ones, Vanishing Point, Digital Garbage) are as good as (and maybe better than) anything they've ever put out. Check them out too.

I have loved this album since it came out!

yaaas lawd, YES!

I've been hearing for a long time that Mudhoney were the godfathers of grunge rock. They put Sub Pop on the map and fostered the shift in rock music. They rejected the glamour of hair metal and made something loud and distorted. Their sound was fuzzy and messy and their themes were dissections of self and society. Punk rock was back for a new generation and louder than ever. This album has plenty of that. Mark Arm's voice screams and cracks like a cry for help. The music plays from track to track with heavy adrenaline and never lets up. It's easy to see how influential their music was not just to the grunge era but even to punk and hardcore music today. This album sounds so contemporary it's almost surprising to see that it's almost 35 years old. It also got me curious to listen to their debut album and I can confidently say I'm a Mudhoney fan and will be going down a rabbit hole soon. 4.5 Stars

Some of the songs were a little heavy for me, but most of this was really good. A solid grunge album, it's obvious that Nirvana admired them.

Sauber! Macht Spaß - jedenfalls im entsprechenden Alter.

I really didn't vibe with this when I first such it on, but a few songs in I was really enjoying it. I preferred the dirtier, fuzzier songs to the harder ones. Great album.

Good

I've been giving out an absurd amount of 4 star ratings recently but sure, whatever, I love music after all, don't I?

Wonderfully chaotic, sloppy and rough. Its power comes from the rawness of the performances, the lack of a cohesiveness for sound. You might think they’re amateurs, but they’re just one loud jam away from changing your mind.

Interesting listen. You can hear it as an inspiration for a lot of pop-punk bands in the early 2000s but also as influence on grunge.

Really enjoyed the previous Mudhoney album we had so was looking forward to this. Definitely didn't enjoy this one as much, but still was pretty decent. I like the cover, feels familiar and I don't know why. I'll probably go back to this, but 3.5 for now

Off the cuff remark: as a nipper I'm sure all the cool kids had a Mudhoney T-shirt, naturally I didn't. This is a fine example of what grunge was all about, to my mind. Scuzzy stooges-esque rock n roll. Standout track: tricky, Who You Drivin' Now perhaps? Revisit?: you know I haven't for a long time, but this reminded me I should.

I was not too familiar with this band, good early grunge, leans more to the punk aesthetic than later bands that got big.

Wasn’t able to listen to whole album but definitely added some songs to my playlist

Mudhoney may not have been the best of the grunge era, but they were undeniably among the first. It’s historical, almost a playbook for the sound. I enjoyed it, and while I wouldn’t call it essential front-to-back, a couple tracks definitely earn a spot on a Seattle Sound playlist.

I don't like grunge and expected to dislike it too... But this was good. Very creative. Love half of the songs. Generation Genocide was good, I was expecting all album to be like this.

Solid stuff.

It felt a lot like the pixies, I found a couple songs that I can revisit. If I need background spider house music this’ll work.

Not bad

Yet another band I should have listened to many years ago. Right up my street, but I evidently wasn’t home that day

Interesting

This is most definitely something I can see myself revisiting sometime soon. I find it interesting how much it's characterized among grunge of the early 90s. This leans much more heavily on punk and garage then grunge. Perhaps because they were from Seattle. Super interesting though. I had never heard of Mudhoney before listening.

Every good boy does deserve fudge and to listen to this album

Grandfathers' to all of your favorite bands and the original grunge starting points.

I need to admit something. I am 28 years old, have lived 1/3 of my life in Washington and I’ve never listened to a grunge album before today. I’ve walked through the Nirvana exhibit at MoPOP, I’ve even bought records from Sub Pop, but my entire experience with grunge up to this point has been Smells Like Teen Spirit and Come As You Are (hearing them probably fewer than 10 times in total). Diving into grunge is something I’ve been dreading because it’s a genre with so many beloved albums and I don’t want to be that guy who gave it a shot and didn’t “get” it. Prior to EGBDF, I genuinely thought grunge was just dudes singing poorly over rough rock instrumentals with depressing lyrics. The idea of it being a genre with legitimate musical proficiency had not really crossed my mind. That’s why Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge came as such a pleasant surprise to me – it’s an album that simultaneously had me moshing in my kitchen and gave me a fair bit of musical intrigue to really sink my teeth into. The album’s title (referring to the most basic level of music theory) is brilliant because the songs feel like a middle finger to the rules, even when there’s so much evidence of technical skill visible in between the cracks. It’s not a perfect album and there were a few tracks that honestly didn’t do much for me, but the high rock energy, slanted rhythms and occasional harmonica solos gave EGBDF enough unique flair that I can easily see myself coming back to it sooner rather than later. This was an excellent first impression of grunge and (for once in my life) I’m actually looking forward to digging in further! Highlights: Generation Genocide, Something So Clear, Thorn, Into The Drink, Broken Hands, Who You Drivin’ Now?, Pokin’ Around

Every Good Boy Does Fine! and this album is another good one

I don’t often reach for Mudhoney but I’m never disappointed when I do.

I liked this, but perhaps it is my enjoy grunge coming through.

I was not blown away, but I was impressed

Okay so this one is gonna get a bit of a boost because of the impact Mudhoney had on the burgeoning grunge scene. Honestly, if this group had any of the bigger grunge band's frontmen (Veder, Cornell, Cobain, Staley, Lanegan) it would be getting a 5. I love the music and what they're doing on this album, lyrics are really solid too, I just can't really get past Arm's vocals. Really don't like them. Love everything else and their sound, the punky, fuzzy, sloppy sound, just not the vocals.

I can see where this had so much influence on others to come from the Seattle grunge scene. solid listen. 3.5 stars

E.G.B.D.F. — I remember how disappointed I was when I first listened to the full album on release day. It just felt too bluesy, too much harmonica, too much organ, and somehow too controlled. Not noisy and heavy enough. They're advertising their competence with the title, even. I had hints from the preview Let It Slide EP/single that the record might be a letdown, yet I still held out hope for some return to the sounds of the self-titled album or a Superfuzz Bigmuff redux. Like so many fanatics, I didn't want change. I even recoiled from the artwork. I was dumb. It's a good record and solid entry into the Mudhoney catalogue. But I was also right. As the band became more competent, they lost some edge. I still prefer the petulant, flailing Mudhoney from their first few years — always seemingly falling down, each song both a collapse and an explosion — over these self-satisfied good boys and their tidy, tame treats.

I enjoyed it—good rhythm and overall sound waves. ★★★★

Didn’t think I’d like it but I did

It was pretty cool ig

This was actually my first time listening to Mudhoney, and they feel like the perfect bridge between Dinosaur Jr. and grunge. This album came out right before Nirvana’s Nevermind, but unlike the big grunge records that followed, this one had a much more unpolished, gritty garage punk feel, and it really leans into the noise rock side of the genre. The production is murky and warm, clearly favoring texture and attitude over any kind of polished studio sound. That’s one of the reasons I don’t revisit a lot of 90s grunge, because once it blew up, most of the bands went super radio friendly and polished, which I think goes completely against what grunge was originally meant to be.