Customer Reviews

Muchas Gracias: Best Of

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4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

These are all great songs from Kyuss; however, I see this album just as a way for the label to milk whatever they can from this band. First of all, they call it "Best of..." I'm sorry, but usually a best of album is just that, the best and most known songs from a band. There are a few classics on here, but the majority of the album is comprised of songs that were never released on any Kyuss albums. They should have just called it "Rare and Unreleased", because thats what it is. These songs have been floating around on the Web and the underground for sometime now, and any 'true Kyuss fan' has already heard them all. But, this is still a good CD to have in your collection if you want the whole nice package and all. So, give in to the man and dig deep into those pockets.

Think of this compilation more as a point of accessibility into rare Kyuss songs, as this really isn't a collection of Kyuss' most stellar work - despite being labelled the 'best of' the band. However, that is not to say one should overlook this as it contains some previously unreleased songs, including live cuts and some works from the Kyuss/QOTSA split EP that was previously released on the now defunct Man's Ruin label. So really this album is for Kyuss fans, and will not really act as one of those accessible compilations that will spark a new casual fan.

Firstly to look at the positives of this release - the rarities. The opening track "Un Sandpiper" is a typically bluesy Kyuss song, held together with a great swaggering rhythm and some idiosyncratic jamming/noodling, especially by guitarist Josh Homme. The song was an instant hit for me, recalling the unmistakably fuzzy and epic journeys the glory albums "Blues For The Red Sun" and "Welcome To Sky Valley" ensued so effortlessly. The next track, "Shine" was released on a split single but is another rarity. This song is an all-instrumental affair, offering more of the trippy bluesy swagger but this time combined with a rather visceral and aggressively toned `chorus' section. Other standout rarity work includes the two-part "Fatso Forgetso" piece that was initially released on the now out of print Kyuss/QOTSA EP. On this album the shorter track is re-named "Flip The Phase" as opposed to "Phase II" on the original EP. The two tracks are excellent, especially "Phase I" with its slow-burning lead riff and a divine closing encompassing bongos and congas, chilled back vocals and trippy guitar playing. "Mudfly" is really a bit of filler, and seems a rather pointless waste of two minutes on a supposed `best of' album. But then, this really shouldn't be treated as your typical compilation, so I suppose it will have to do.

As for the live cuts, they are decent and enjoyable at first, but plagued by the inevitable poor recording. The mix seems a little too bass heavy, which might have been perfect in person live, but on the cd it creates a lot of unwanted distortion, and also the cymbal hits seem a little overpowering. But hell, Kyuss live cuts are rare, so hardcore fans will savour these.

Now for my biggest problem with the album, the choice of their `classic' material. From BFTRS they selected the excellent "50 Million Year Trip" which is a fine piece and encompasses everything one could want from Kyuss and furthermore stoner rock - big riffs, fuzzy tones, raspy vocals and an amazing trippy closing section. "Thumb" and "Freedom Run", the two other tracks I would pick from that album are also included. However they are in live format, which is fine for the Kyuss fan who already has the studio cuts, but really I would have liked to see these classic tunes in studio format to balance out the compilation better, and attract any potential new fans. The biggest disappointment selection wise is the sincere lack of material from "Welcome To Sky Valley", with only "Demon Cleaner" and "Gardenia" (which is live anyway) making the album, overlooking such gems as "Supa Scooper" and "Space Cadet". Their final LP, "And The Circus Leaves Town" is represented reasonably, "El Rodeo", perhaps the highlight of that album, is present here, but the inclusion of "Hurricane" over tracks such as "Phototrophic", "Catameran" and the jaw-dropping jams of "Spaceship Landing" bemuses me a little.

So really this compilation lacks a whole bunch of Kyuss' best works from their classic studio albums, but acts nicely as a means to obtain rare and unreleased gems.

As they ARE the single most unappreciated band ever to walk to earth, it's hard to find neat old recordings of their music, especially B-Sides and live stuff. This CD has both!!! It's a great buy for those who fell in love with Sky Valley, Blues For the Red Sun, and ...And the Circus Leaves Town. GET IT NOW AND BE HAPPY!!!

there really isnt nothing new on this album if you are an avid listener to kyuss.all the supposedly rare songs are on singles from different songs from when the circus leaves town. the thing that standsout about this album are the live tracks. they display kyuss' ability to just rock without trying.gardenia is my fav song of all time so i was pleased to see it included live. flip the phase is a really aggresive song that also appears on the kyuss/qotsa ep.if you are starting out listening to kyuss buy welcome to sky valley then buy this album. this album complements the greatest band ever formed and shows that the kyuss legacy lives on.

Although Kyuss may not be best represented by the tracks on this album, you cant deny the tracks are great. Owning the three most common Kyuss albums (Blues/Sky Valley/Circus), I was attracted to the several songs on the album that I was blissfully unaware of before. If Kyuss is hard to get hold of for you then this album is a good way to find some rarer songs. The live tracks too deserve a special mention. The recordings are good quality high energy versions and there is a totally ripped recording of freedom run including Josh's insane guitar effects. In summary an album well worth having for the Kyuss listener with an interest in finding rarer songs.

Kyuss was a band that never got much media attention. They were and still are one the most original bands out there. Tons of talent and originality was all over their songs. More bands today should listen to these guys. None of the bands out today have much talent or thought put into their music, they know a few chords to get by and the editing makes them sound better than they really are. We need Kyuss back!!!!

While most fans may tell you Kyuss' best of does not boast some of their 'best songs', ie.(Beginning Of Whats About To Happen) Hwy 74, I would say this is definately where to start off your Kyuss buzz. The riffs are unbelievable, the tempo is stop start all the way(as all good stoner rock is!) and the songs are better than 90% of everything being released right NOW.(Freedom Run, El Rodeo, Hurricane, Un Sandpiper) Turn on your radio, what do you hear!? Now turn it off, stick Muchas Gracias on and try wipe that smile off your face or stop tapping/stomping your feet! Muchas Gracias is the beginners access to Stoner Rock, ie. its accessible! Check it out and get into the back catalougue, Karma To Burn and a bit of Monster Magnet, probably in that order:)

This is basically like getting a "new" Kyuss album. I dont get what the fuss is all about; I think its great.
Its also nice to be able to go directly to the song demoncleaner (unlike on sky valley).
If you dont have "blues for the red sun", start there first, then "sky valley", then this one.

First thing is first; as you may ave heard already, Muchas Gracis: The Best Of Kyuss is unsatisfactory as an actual greatest hits package. The band only have four albums anyway, all of which can be found for very low prices nowadays, so if you are thinking about trying out the band don't start on this compilation but just jump straight into one of their wonderful studio albums like Blues For The Red Sun or (Welcome To) Sky Valley.

Ignoring the 'greatest hits,' tag however, Muchas Gracias is a fine compilation album that all Kyuss fans should give consideration to checking out. The disc compiles all the b-sides, rare tracks and the "Live at the Marquee Club" bonus disc from special editions of Sky Valley, together in one place.

If you want more from Kyuss than the studio albums that you already have, take a shot with this fine rarities compilation and find six fantastic rare tunes, four live versions of old favourites (Gardenia, Thumb, Conan Troutman, Freedom Run) and then five incongruously placed studio versions of Kyuss tracks that are there to justify a 'Greatest Hits,' label, presumably a record company decision as a greatest hits album would likely sell more copies to new customers in 2000 than a rarities album aimed at existing fans.

The actual six rare tunes are of great quality and have that same perfect hypnotic, virtuosic Kyuss feel as the best of their studio output and are sincerely worth investigating if you are a fan.

So in summary; if you aren't interested in shelling out hundreds of pounds to collect all the rare singles and EPs, but do want a little more Kyuss, then Muchas Gracis is a fine product and I'd definitely recommend it.

that's about all i can say. just a bunch of riffs, nothing that sticks out. boring. i'd suggest you go listen to deep purple or black sabbath or bongzilla instead.

edit: i later bought welcome to sky valley. not bad, but not my thing. can't remember anything about mucas gracias. it probably still sucks. :p