Meantime (album)

Last updated

Gnome-mime-sound-openclipart.svg
"Ironhead" (1992)
30 second sample of the Meantime track "Ironhead".
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Recording

The song "In the Meantime" was recorded by Steve Albini and later remixed by Andy Wallace. Wallace would make additional changes to the album; the contrast between his style of mixing, which involves (among other things) triggered samples and a cleaner, more polished sound (leading to the album's distinctive half-wood, half-metal snare drum sound), irritated Albini. Later, when in negotiations to record Nirvana's In Utero , he stipulated a clause be added to his contract stating that Wallace would not be allowed to remix the album, after he had mixed Nevermind , which was released nine months before Meantime.

Artwork

The album cover features an image of a man in a white protective suit shoveling some substance on the ground. It is taken from a photograph by David Plowden, "Puddler In Blast Furnace Cast House, Steel Mill, East Chicago, Indiana (1979)".

The album is available with one of two reversely-colored covers; one has a blue background with a white-on-red Helmet logo, and the other has a red background with a white-on-blue Helmet logo (pictured above).

Touring

To support the album in 1992, Helmet opened for Faith No More, [13] a band which, like Helmet, would later be credited with influencing the nu metal movement. [14] These shows came about since the members of Faith No More wanted to have Helmet on their tour. [15] In some promotional photos from 1992, Faith No More's bassist Billy Gould can be seen wearing a Helmet shirt.

The band played their first shows in Peter Mengede's home country of Australia in January 1993 at the Big Day Out festival. He departed Helmet the following month, after disagreements with Page Hamilton over their songwriting process. [16] Their 1993 show in Melbourne, Australia was released on Live and Rare in 2021, which was Helmet's first official live album. [17]

Reception

Commercial performance

Meantime was originally scheduled to be released in April 1992, [18] being delayed until June of that year. The vinyl release of the album was handled by Amphetamine Reptile, who negotiated with Interscope to retain the vinyl rights to the band. [19]

It became Helmet's breakthrough album, and upon release peaked at number 68 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart, and at number one on the Top Heatseekers chart. It also managed to chart outside of the US in 1992, by peaking at number 88 on the Australian ARIA Charts. It is still considered their most commercially successful release and, to date, it is the only Helmet album to go gold in the United States. Their follow-up album Betty charted in Canada, New Zealand and several European countries, in addition to charting at a higher position in the United States and Australia. However, it has sold a lower number of copies overall when compared to Meantime.

Critical reception

Meantime
Helmet Meantime.jpg
Studio album by
Helmet
ReleasedJune 23, 1992 [1]
RecordedDecember 1991 – February 1992
Studio
Genre
Length36:56
Label
Producer Helmet
Helmet chronology
Strap It On
(1990)		Meantime
(1992)		 Betty
(1994)
Singles from Meantime
  1. "Unsung"
    Released: 1991
  2. "In the Meantime"
    Released: June 8, 1992 [5]
  3. "Give It"
    Released: 1993
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [7]
Chicago Tribune Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [20]
Christgau's Consumer Guide Five Pointed Star Solid.svg Five Pointed Star Solid.svg [21]
Entertainment Weekly B− [22]
Kerrang! Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [23]
The Philadelphia Inquirer Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [24]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [25]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [26]
Select Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [27]
Spin Alternative Record Guide 8/10 [28]

The album received positive reviews, John Franck of AllMusic labeled Meantime "arguably one of the most influential and overlooked rock records of the '90s". He praised the music "colored by Teutonic riffs, with only 'Unsung' hinting at a gasp of commercial accessibility." [6] [7] Entertainment Weekly writer David Browne gave it a B− in his August 1992 review, and remarked, "call Helmet alternative metal. The New York band plays tightfisted speed-thrash, but without the overblown melodrama of the metal scene. ('To die young is far too boring these days,' sings Page Hamilton at one point.) Helmet is fascinating in theory and can crank up the decibels ably enough to have landed the once independent-label band a million-dollar contract with a major record company." [22] Kerrang!'s Steffan Chirazi defined the album as "a wall of angry, bitter and agonised New York street cries", giving it maximum ratings. [23] Metal publication Hard Report wrote in 1992, "one thing that differentiates them from the standard pack of 'next big things' is that there's not just 'buzz' that surrounds this band. It's more like a solid wall of noise." [29] They further noted, "the alternative types have been grooving to them since their debut 1990 release Strap It On. It seems a bit odd that metal never seemed to take more than a passing interest in them until recently." [29]

Legacy

The sound of Meantime, with Page Hamilton's staccato riffs, jazz-influenced chords and solos, and dual-voice singing style, proved influential to nu metal and alternative metal bands. The album, along with Betty and Aftertaste , is considered a definitive influence in post-metal. [30] In November 1999, Iowa State Daily ranked "Unsung" 50th on a list of the "Top 90 Essential Songs of the 90's", labeling it an "alt-metal masterpiece". [31] In 2003, Kerrang! ranked Meantime as 48th on their list of the "50 Most Influential Albums of All Time", [32] while Rolling Stone ranked it 54th on their 2017 list of "The 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time". [33] Alex Ogg wrote in the 2003 book The Rough Guide to Rock that it is "one of the great hard-ass intensity records", and that "parts of it make Rollins look like a lounge singer". [34] Stereogum in 2021 remarked that it featured, "some of the toughest riffs ever recorded". [35] The following year, Guitar World ranked Meantime 10th on their list of "The 30 Greatest Rock Guitar Albums of 1992", stating, "If you were to boldly claim that the importance of the (repetitive) riff replaced the significance of soloing in rock by '92, you could point directly to the sophomore effort by Helmet, Meantime. [Just] listen to guitarists Page Hamilton and Peter Mengede grind it out on such standouts as 'In the Meantime', 'Iron Head', and 'Unsung' – while Hamilton shouts most of his vocals a la an irate drill instructor – to hear the proof." [36] In 2022, Revolver also included it on their list of "20 Great Albums from 1992". [37] They stated that the band "did little to tone down their abrasive sound", further adding that, "single 'Unsung' has its poppy moments, but still culminates in a decidedly radio-unfriendly one-and-a-half minute instrumental outro." [37]

The songs "In the Meantime", "Ironhead", "Give It", "Unsung" and "Better" were included on the 2004 compilation album Unsung: The Best of Helmet (1991–1997) . [38] The track listing for the compilation was chosen by Page Hamilton. [39] Instrumental versions of "In the Meantime", "Ironhead", "Give It" and "Unsung" also appeared on a promotional 2003 release titled The Instrumental Music of Helmet (1992–1997). On September 16, 2016, Magnetic Eye Records released a compilation titled Meantime (Redux) that featured song-for-song covers of the original Helmet album by various artists including KEN mode, Fuck the Facts and Rosetta. Additionally, it also included six covers of songs from the band's other original 1990s albums (Strap It On, Betty and Aftertaste). [40] [41]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Page Hamilton

No.TitleLength
1."In the Meantime"3:11
2."Ironhead"3:23
3."Give It"4:17
4."Unsung"3:59
5."Turned Out"4:13
6."He Feels Bad"4:02
7."Better"3:09
8."You Borrowed"3:49
9."FBLA II"3:22
10."Role Model"3:31
Total length:36:56

Personnel

Credits taken from the CD liner notes.

Helmet

Technical

Charts

Chart (1993)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA Charts) [42] 88
U.S. Billboard Top Heatseekers [43] 1
U.S. Billboard 200 [44] 68

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bush (British band)</span> British rock band

Bush are an English rock band formed in London in 1992. Their current lineup consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Gavin Rossdale, lead guitarist Chris Traynor, bassist Corey Britz, and drummer Nik Hughes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Page Hamilton</span> American singer and guitarist

Page Nye Hamilton is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter and record producer, mostly noted for his work with alternative metal band Helmet. Most of his work has been in the hard rock and alternative metal styles, though he trained in jazz guitar and has substantial connections with avant-garde music and film soundtrack composition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helmet (band)</span> American alternative metal band

Helmet is an American alternative metal band from New York City formed in 1989 by vocalist and lead guitarist Page Hamilton. Helmet has had numerous lineup changes with Hamilton as the only constant member. Since 2010, the band has consisted of Hamilton, drummer Kyle Stevenson, guitarist Dan Beeman and bassist Dave Case.

<i>Betty</i> (Helmet album) 1994 studio album by Helmet

Betty is the third studio album by American alternative metal band Helmet, released in 1994 by Interscope Records. It is Helmet's highest charting album in the US.

<i>Born Annoying</i> 1995 compilation album by Helmet

Born Annoying is a compilation album of alternative metal band Helmet's early songs, released in 1995 by their old label, Amphetamine Reptile, a.k.a. AmRep. It is a collection of singles, B sides, compilation tracks, and other rarities spanning from the band's inception in 1989 until they were signed to Interscope in 1992. However, the band did record two songs in 1993 that were released through AmRep; they are included here.

<i>Aftertaste</i> (album) 1997 studio album by Helmet

Aftertaste is the fourth studio album by American alternative metal band Helmet, released in 1997 on Interscope. It was the band's final album with original members John Stanier (drums) and Henry Bogdan (bass). Guitarist Rob Echeverria, who appeared on Helmet's previous outing, Betty, left the group to join Biohazard. Subsequently, the album was recorded as a three-piece, with Page Hamilton covering all the guitar parts. Guitarist Chris Traynor came on board for the supporting tour.

<i>Badmotorfinger</i> 1991 studio album by Soundgarden

Badmotorfinger is the third studio album by American rock band Soundgarden, released on October 8, 1991, through A&M Records. Soundgarden began the recording sessions for the album with new bassist Ben Shepherd in the spring of 1991. The album maintained the band's heavy metal sound, while featuring an increased focus on songwriting compared to the band's previous releases. AllMusic considered the album's music to be "surprisingly cerebral and arty"; alternative tunings and odd time signatures were present on several of the album's songs, and lyrics were intended to be ambiguous and evocative.

<i>Strap It On</i> 1990 studio album by Helmet

Strap It On is the debut album by American alternative metal band Helmet. It was first released in October 1990 through Amphetamine Reptile Records, and later reissued through Interscope Records in January 1993.

<i>Size Matters</i> 2004 studio album by Helmet

Size Matters is the fifth album by the American alternative metal band Helmet, released in 2004 on Interscope Records. It is the first new album since the band ended with a bitter break-up in 1998, and it is also their final album to be released through Interscope.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Come as You Are (Nirvana song)</span> 1992 single by Nirvana

"Come as You Are" is a song by American rock band Nirvana, written by frontman and guitarist Kurt Cobain. It is the third track and the second single from the band's second studio album Nevermind, the single released in March 1992. It was the band's second and final American top 40 hit, reaching number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100, and second UK top 10 hit, reaching number nine on the UK Singles Chart. The single reached the top 10 in eight countries and the top 40 in eleven further countries.

<i>Unsung: The Best of Helmet (1991–1997)</i> 2004 compilation album by Helmet

Unsung: The Best of Helmet (1991–1997) is a compilation album of Helmet in its original form, consisting of vocalist/guitarist Page Hamilton, bassist Henry Bogdan, drummer John Stanier, and guitarists Peter Mengede (1989–1993) and Rob Echeverria (1994–1996).

Peter Mengede is an Australian musician best known as a former guitarist for alternative metal band Helmet. He formed his own group, Handsome, in 1995 with former members of Quicksand, Cro-Mags and Murphy's Law. They released one album in 1997 before disbanding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unsung (song)</span> 1991 single by Helmet

"Unsung" is a single by the American alternative metal band Helmet from their 1992 album, Meantime. A music video was produced for the song and found significant airplay on MTV in the early 1990s. "Unsung" is recorded in drop D tuning on both guitars and bass, and begins with a bass intro. Its stop-and-go dynamics and catchy rhythm made it somewhat of a flagship of the growing 1990s alternative metal scene. In 1991, a full year before the release of Meantime, Amphetamine Reptile Records issued the "Unsung" 7-inch record, featuring an earlier recording of the song.

<i>Monochrome</i> (Helmet album) 2006 studio album by Helmet

Monochrome is the sixth album by the American alternative metal band Helmet, released in 2006 through Warcon. It is the third Helmet album in a row to be recorded as a three-piece, with new drummer Mike Jost joining veterans Page Hamilton and Chris Traynor. Bassist Jeremy Chatelain, who replaced Frank Bello on the Size Matters tour, rejoined the band for the 2006 Warped Tour in support of Monochrome. The album received a mixed reception upon release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helmet discography</span>

The discography of Helmet, a New York–based alternative metal band formed in 1989, consists of eight full-length studio albums, two compilation albums, 15 singles, and 14 music videos. This list does not include material performed by members or former members of Helmet that was recorded with Adair, Anthrax, Band of Susans, Biohazard, The Cult, Disturbing the Peace, Exodus, Norma Jean, Testament, Tomahawk and White Zombie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Handsome (band)</span> American rock band

Handsome was an American rock supergroup formed in 1995. The group's lineup was singer Jeremy Chatelain, guitarists Peter Mengede, Tom Capone, bassist Eddie Nappi, and drummer Pete Hines. Capone would leave the group in 1997, replaced by Donni Campion. They released two 7" vinyl singles in 1995, two CD singles in 1997 and one album, Handsome (1997), through Epic/Sony before disbanding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In the Meantime (Helmet song)</span> 1992 single by Helmet

"In the Meantime" is a song from the American alternative metal band Helmet's second album Meantime. It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 1992.

<i>Seeing Eye Dog</i> 2010 studio album by Helmet

Seeing Eye Dog is the seventh studio album by the American alternative metal band Helmet, released on September 7, 2010, via Work Song, the label imprint shared by singer/songwriter Joe Henry and Helmet mainman Page Hamilton's manager. It was their first album in four years since the release of Monochrome in 2006.

<i>Dead to the World</i> (album) 2016 studio album by Helmet

Dead to the World is the eighth studio album by the American alternative metal band Helmet, released on October 28, 2016. It is the band's first studio album since Seeing Eye Dog (2010), as well as their first release on earMUSIC and their first one with bassist Dave Case.

References

  1. ↑ Russell, Deborah (June 27, 1992). "Helmet covers bases via major/indie push". Billboard. No. v. 104, n. 26. p. 44. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  2. ↑ Terich, Jeff (September 18, 2011). "The 90 Minute Guide: Metal, Part Two". Treblezine.com. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Classic Album Review : Helmet - Meantime (1992)". Dead End Follies. July 15, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  4. ↑ Earles, Andrew (March 31, 2015). "The Revival of Cherubs". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  5. ↑ Eslund, Kristina (June 1, 1992). "Kristina's Airhead Airwaves" (PDF). HITS . 6 (294): 61.
  6. 1 2 3 "MusicMight :: Artists :: HELMET". Musicmight.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Franck, John. "Meantime – Helmet". AllMusic . Retrieved September 20, 2008.
  8. ↑ Terich, Jeff (June 18, 2012). "In the Meantime: Helmet's landmark album at 20". Treble. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  9. ↑ SPIN - Google Books. August 1992. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
  10. ↑ Spin. September 1992. p. 79.
  11. ↑ "Other pop". the Guardian. December 12, 2004.
  12. 1 2 "New pop order". November 5, 1992.
  13. ↑ "Band : Listed Below is all of the known Tour Dates, Album, E.P. & Singles release dates that I have info on from this New York hardcore/metal band". Metallipromo.com. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Monochrome - Helmet | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic .
  15. ↑ "Helmet Interview - Henry Bogdan and Peter Mengede.mpg" – via YouTube.
  16. ↑ Mengede, Peter. BoostingShapes podcast, 2019.
  17. ↑ "HELMET To Release First Official Live Album, 'Live And Rare'". Blabbermouth.net. September 8, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Helmet - Chicago 26/01/1992 #1". YouTube .
  19. ↑ Russell, Deborah (June 27, 1992). "Helmet Covers Bases Via Major/Indie Push". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  20. ↑ Kot, Greg (July 9, 1992). "Helmet: Meantime (Interscope)". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  21. ↑ Christgau, Robert (2000). "Helmet: Meantime". Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s . Macmillan Publishers. ISBN   0-312-24560-2 . Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  22. 1 2 Browne, David (August 21, 1992). "Meantime". Entertainment Weekly . p. 62. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  23. 1 2 Chirazi, Steffan (June 20, 1992). "Helmet: Meantime". Kerrang! . London (397).
  24. ↑ Moon, Tom (July 5, 1992). "Helmet: Meantime (Interscope)". The Philadelphia Inquirer .
  25. ↑ Azerrad, Michael (September 17, 1992). "Helmet: Meantime". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on November 27, 2007. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  26. ↑ Kot, Greg (2004). "Helmet". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. p.  374. ISBN   0-7432-0169-8.
  27. ↑ Perry, Andrew (August 1992). "Helmet: Meantime". Select (26): 93.
  28. ↑ Walsh, Jim (1995). "Helmet". In Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig (eds.). Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. pp. 181–182. ISBN   0-679-75574-8.
  29. 1 2 "AllMusic" (PDF). Worldradiohistory.com. June 5, 1992. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  30. ↑ "HELMET Rediscovery". X-Press Online. March 28, 2007. Archived from the original on August 31, 2007. Retrieved March 31, 2007. Albums such [as] Meantime (1992), Betty (1994) and even Aftertaste (1997) eschewed the traditional concept of heavy music, trademarked the drop-d power-groove in 5/4, and pioneered a whole new trend in music. Even now, these albums stand on their own as definitive texts in post-metal.
  31. ↑ Writer), written by Conor Bezane and Corey Moss (Daily Staff. "The 90 Essential Songs of the 90's". Iowa State Daily.
  32. ↑ "50 Most Influential Albums Of All Time". Kerrang! . May 2003. Retrieved January 8, 2008.
  33. ↑ "Rolling Stone Share Their Choices For 'The 100 Greatest Metal Albums Of All Time'". Theprp.com. June 21, 2017. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  34. ↑ The Rough Guide to Rock. London: Rough Guides. 2003. p. 487.
  35. ↑ "Memoria: The Most Consequential Release Date in Alt-Rock Was 30 Years Ago TodayMemoria, Memoria: The Most Consequential Release Date in Alt-Rock Was 30 Years Ago Today". September 24, 2021.
  36. ↑ Greg Prato (April 28, 2022). "The 30 greatest rock guitar albums of 1992". guitarworld.
  37. 1 2 "20 Great Albums From 1992". Revolver. June 6, 2022.
  38. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "Unsung: The Best of Helmet Review". AllMusic . Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  39. ↑ "Helmet best-of to be released in January". www.punknews.org. December 27, 2003.
  40. ↑ "Various Artists – Meantime Redux". Ghost Cult Mag. October 4, 2016. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  41. ↑ "Meantime [Redux] I Deluxe Edition". Bandcamp . Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  42. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 127.
  43. ↑ "Helmet;– Billboard Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  44. ↑ "Helmet album charts [albums]". Billboard . Retrieved December 20, 2007.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.