God's Balls

God's Balls
Studio album by Tad
Released	March 1, 1989 (1989-03-01)
Studio	Reciprocal (Seattle)
Genre	Alternative metal grunge
Length	37:34
Label	Sub Pop
Producer	Jack Endino
Tad chronology
God's Balls (1989) Salt Lick (1990)

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]

Production

The album was produced by Jack Endino. ^[4] The band's goal was to create an album lacking harmony and melody. ^[5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

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

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

Tad

• Tad Doyle – vocals, guitar
• Gary Thorstensen – guitar
• Kurt Danielson – bass
• Steve Wied – drums

Production

• Jack Endino – production, engineering, mastering
• Charles Peterson – photography

Charts

Chart (1989)	Peak position
UK Independent Albums (OCC) [12]	16

References

1. Krcatovich, Dustin (March 1, 2019). "TAD: Still Heavier Than God's Balls". Kerrang! . Retrieved January 31, 2021.
2. 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.
3. Pearce, Sheldon (September 22, 2016). "TAD Announce God's Balls, Salt Lick, and 8-Way Santa Reissues". Pitchfork . Retrieved January 31, 2021.
4. Deming, Mark. "Tad Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved January 14, 2024.
5. Gaar, Gillian G. (November 4, 2016). "Revisiting grunge rockers TAD and Mother Love Bone". The Seattle Times . Retrieved January 31, 2021.
6. Deming, Mark. "God's Balls – Tad". AllMusic. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Wilkinson, Roy (May 6, 1989). "Tad: God's Balls". Sounds . London: United Newspapers. ISSN   0144-5774.
10. Sprague, Deborah. "Tad". Trouser Press . Retrieved January 31, 2021.
11. Paul, John (December 1, 2016). "Tad: God's Balls / Salt Lick / 8-Way Santa". PopMatters . Retrieved January 31, 2021.
12. 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.