In 1980 the Meat Puppets broke onto the scene with their In A Car EP. Since then they have continued to push the boundaries and expand the musical horizon. No Joke! their ninth album goes out and reaches outer space.
This new album starts where the last album, Too High To Die, ended. It includes the same weird artwork as always but this time some of it is drawn by non-band members of the Kirkwood family (Catherine and Elmo). Once again it is produced by Butthole Surfer guitarist Paul Leary. This time Leary adds to the recording even further by playing lead guitar on "Inflatable".
The Meat Puppets have always had a country-ish song or two on their albums and this one is no exception. However, the tempos are a little more brisk and chords jingle with distortion. Texture is added to some songs by the use of the Hammond B3 organ and piano as well as the use of the cello on the chamber hall sound of "Head".
No matter what music you are into you will like this album. If you liked Too High To Die or any other Meat Puppets album No Joke! will fill with more of the same great stuff. And if you haven't really been into them, now is the time to try them. Whether it's the rock & roll of "Poison Arrow" or the raw energy of "Scum" this album will become a favorite. No joke!
