fIREHOSE Albums (5)
'Mr. Machinery Operator'
Release Date 2/16/1993
Tracks 14
Label Columbia
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Whereas fIREHOSE's previous full-length, 1991's Flyin' the Flannel, was about succinct songwriting and contained a somewhat polished production, 1993's Mr. Machinery Operator was more raw sounding and unpredictable -- almost as if the trio was going for a garage band sound. Dinosaur Jr. singer/guitarist/leader J. Mascis produced the entire album solo, which, expectedly, leads to a more rough, in-your-face sonic approach. Although fIREHOSE guitarist Ed Crawford was the trio's primary vocalist, Mascis convinced Watt to sing more often than on past albums. Like his bass playing, Watt's vocals are in the extreme low register, as evidenced by such highlights as "Formal Introduction," "Herded Into Pools," "Quicksand," "Powerful Hankerin'," and the tranquil album closer, "The Cliffs Thrown Down." Other standouts include the barely containable rage of "Rocket Sled/Fuel Tank" and the instrumental "4.29.92" (the latter featuring sound effects from the L.A./Rodney King riots), and perhaps the album's best track, Crawford's "Blaze." After the ensuing tour for Mr. Machinery Operator was completed in 1994, Watt broke up the band, citing that they had become "used to each other in a bad way." ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
It was a pretty big deal in the underground rock community when fIREHOSE made the jump from an independent record label to a major one (Columbia) with their fourth full-length record, 1991's Flyin' the Flannel. But fans shouldn't have worried; the trio didn't change its sound to fit its new label, although the songwriting did become more succinct, which only improved the album's outstanding 16 tracks (resulting in fIREHOSE's finest album). The album-opening anthem, "Down With the Bass," is a Mike Watt tribute to his beloved four-string, while the band rocks out throughout the album: "Up Finnegan's Ladder," "Can't Believe," the title track, "O'er the Town of Pedro," "The First Cuss," "Anti-Misogyny Maneuver," and "Town' the Line" are all standouts. Like all fIREHOSE albums, Flyin' the Flannel includes its share of soothing moments, such as "Toolin'," "Walking the Cow," the downtrodden album closer "Losers, Boozers, and Heroes," and perhaps the best song on the album, the swirling jazz of "Epoxy, for Example." Flyin' the Flannel is one of the great lost rock gems of the '90s. Super highly recommended. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
fIREHOSE's second release, 1987's If'n, was a major improvement over their 1986 debut, Ragin', Full On. And while their third album, 1988's fROMOHIO, was another solid set and contained its share of highlights, it seemed to be cut from the same musical cloth as its predecessor rather than a true progression. Again, the playing is inspired, and the new band had already established an original, identifiable sound. The best tracks prove to be Ed Crawford originals -- "In My Mind" and "Time with You" (the latter was an MTV video), while "Whisperin' While Hollerin'" and "What Gets Heard" soon became concert staples. The band's appreciation of folk shines through with a reading of the traditional black folk song "Vastopol" and the original "Liberty for Our Friend," and drummer George Hurley takes center stage on a pair of short, unaccompanied drum solos -- "Let the Drummer Have Some" and "'Nuf That Shit, George." Other highlights include the album opener "Riddle of the Eighties," the funky "Mas Cojones," the laid-back rock of "If'n" and "Understanding," plus the lethargic album closer "The Softest Hammer." ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Whereas fIREHOSE's debut, 1986's Ragin', Full On, was issued quickly to get the new outfit off the ground (two of the three members were still reeling from the death of their previous band's frontman, the Minutemen's D. Boon), their sophomore effort, 1987's If'n, included more cohesive and focused songwriting. Touring together had obviously made Watt-Hurley-Crawford tighter as a unit, and several of their best all-time compositions reside here. Although the debut incorporated other musical forms besides punk and hard rock (funk, jazz, etc.), If'n was the first fIREHOSE release to feature folk-style originals -- such as Crawford's "In Memory of Elizabeth Cotton." Standouts include the album opening highway anthem "Sometimes," the groovy '50s feel of "Honey, Please," the laid-back "Backroads," and the irate rockers "Anger" and "For the Singer of R.E.M." Also featured are several Mike Watt lead vocal spots -- the perennial concert favorite "Making the Freeway" (included on the 1993 mini-album Live Totem Pole EP), the humorous "Me & You Remembering," "Operation Solitaire," and the closing epic "Thunder Child." ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
When the Minutemen were forced to split up in December of 1985 due to the untimely death of singer/guitarist D. Boon, the remaining members (bassist Mike Watt and drummer George Hurley) were so devastated that they considered giving up music all together. Shortly afterwards though, a college student and major Minutemen fan, Ed Crawford, convinced the remaining members to soldier on. And soldier on they did, taking Crawford (known as "Ed fROMOHIO," due to his signature on a letter) as their new singer/guitarist, and dubbing the new outfit fIREHOSE, after the famous Bob Dylan song "Subterranean Homesick Blues." Their first album was issued less than a year after Boon's death, 1986's Ragin', Full On for SST, and surprisingly, the new band sounded completely different than it's predecessor (for example, Crawford had more of a real singing voice than Boon, the music was less unpredictable and more focused, etc.). Ex-Black Flag bassist Kira (and eventual wife of Watt) helped co-write several tracks: the hyper instrumental "Under the Influence of Meat Puppets," plus "It Matters," "Locked In," "Perfect Pairs," "Relatin' Dudes to Jazz," and "Things Could Turn Around." Other highlights included "Brave Captain," "Candle and the Flame," "Choose Any Memory," and "Caroms." While fIREHOSE would perfect their highly original sound on future albums (Flyin' the Flannel, Mr. Machinery Operator, etc.), Ragin', Full On still proved to be a worthwhile, interesting debut. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
