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
ReleasedMarch 1, 1989 (1989-03-01)
StudioReciprocal (Seattle)
Genre
Length37:34
LabelSub Pop
ProducerJack Endino
Tad chronology
God's Balls
(1989)
Salt Lick
(1990)

Production

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

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
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

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No.TitleLength
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

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Tad

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

Production

Charts

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

References

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  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.