God's Balls is the debut studio album by the American rock band Tad, released in 1989 by Sub Pop.[1] The band promoted the album by undertaking a European tour with labelmates Nirvana.[2] The album was re-released as a deluxe edition in 2016 by Sub Pop.[3]
| God's Balls | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 1, 1989 | |||
| Studio | Reciprocal (Seattle) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 37:34 | |||
| Label | Sub Pop | |||
| Producer | Jack Endino | |||
| Tad chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production
editThe album was produced by Jack Endino.[4] The band's goal was to create an album lacking harmony and melody.[5]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [6] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [7] |
| Record Collector | [8] |
| Sounds | [9] |
Trouser Press called the album "impressively punishing," writing that "the riff-heavy 'Behemoth', 'Satan’s Chainsaw' and especially the Ed Gein-inspired 'Nipple Belt' hit like a succession of knees to the groin, with Doyle’s rugged, sneering vocals adding insult to injury."[10] PopMatters wrote: "Relying on legendary Seattle producer Jack Endino to help translate their monolithic live sound to record, the band set about doing what they do best -- namely channeling ‘70s heavy metal into something even heavier and more oppressive than any of their forebears could’ve imagined."[11]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Behemoth" | 4:10 |
| 2. | "Pork Chop" | 4:22 |
| 3. | "Helot" | 2:58 |
| 4. | "Tuna Car" | 2:37 |
| 5. | "Sex God Missy" (Lumberjack mix) | 4:29 |
| 6. | "Cyanide Bath" | 3:37 |
| 7. | "Boiler Room" | 4:49 |
| 8. | "Satan's Chainsaw" | 3:10 |
| 9. | "Hollow Man" | 4:05 |
| 10. | "Nipple Belt" | 3:17 |
| Total length: | 37:34 | |
Personnel
editTad
- Tad Doyle – vocals, guitar
- Gary Thorstensen – guitar
- Kurt Danielson – bass
- Steve Wied – drums
Production
- Jack Endino – production, engineering, mastering
- Charles Peterson – photography
Charts
edit| Chart (1989) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[12] | 16 |
References
edit- ^ Krcatovich, Dustin (March 1, 2019). "TAD: Still Heavier Than God's Balls". Kerrang!. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ Brannigan, Paul (2011). "Negative creep". This Is a Call: The Life and Times of Dave Grohl. Boston, Massachusetts: Da Capo Press. p. 138. ISBN 978-0-306-81956-8.
- ^ Pearce, Sheldon (September 22, 2016). "TAD Announce God's Balls, Salt Lick, and 8-Way Santa Reissues". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ Deming, Mark. "Tad Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ Gaar, Gillian G. (November 4, 2016). "Revisiting grunge rockers TAD and Mother Love Bone". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ Deming, Mark. "God's Balls – Tad". AllMusic. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 8 (4th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 23–24. ISBN 978-0-19-531373-4.
- ^ Moores, JR (November 4, 2016). "God's Balls – Deluxe Edition, Salt Lick – Deluxe Edition, 8-Way Santa – Deluxe Edition". Record Collector. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ Wilkinson, Roy (May 6, 1989). "Tad: God's Balls". Sounds. London: United Newspapers. ISSN 0144-5774.
- ^ Sprague, Deborah. "Tad". Trouser Press. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ Paul, John (December 1, 2016). "Tad: God's Balls / Salt Lick / 8-Way Santa". PopMatters. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980 - 1989: The Complete UK Independent Charts (Singles & Albums). London: Cherry Red Books. ISBN 978-0-9517206-9-1. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2014.