Mudhoney, The Lucky Ones (side A)

In some ways, it feels crazy that Mudhoney have continued to make records, much less relevant ones.  While they did not neatly fit into the Seattle buzz explosion that surrounded them, it also feels difficult to separate their music from its environs.  2008's The Lucky Ones manages to capture the band's classic sound and also to bring just enough modernity to avoid nostalgia or parody.  While early recordings like "Touch Me I'm Sick" magically capture Mudhoney's raw energy, their incredibly primitive technical qualities also tie them to a specific era.  The Lucky Ones does a nice job using a contemporary and very professional recording to emphasize the group's impact and roughness.  The drums sound bigger and the guitars sound rougher, but at the same time, the mixes and mastering sit perfectly.  The performances feel a bit more technically competent, without ever falling into an overly-sterile area that would detract from their energy.  The hardest aspect of Mudhoney to update might be the lyrics.  While Mark Arm has some success at tastefully balancing his mature life experiences with the group's primitive emotional posture, the challenge at times seems too daunting, and the lyrics might be the most fragile element of The Lucky Ones.  While the cover painting and design are nondescript, they're at least appropriate and tasteful.