Mother Love Bone singer Andrew Wood received his greatest acclaim and attention after his untimely death in 1990 -- due to the success of a tribute album (Temple of the Dog) and the re-release of MLB's recordings for Polygram (1992's self-titled release), but many discovered Wood via the success of a new band that two of his former bandmates launched after his passing,
Pearl Jam. In 1995,
Pearl Jam guitarist
Stone Gossard compiled rarely heard recordings by Wood's early band,
Malfunkshun, issued on his label Loosegroove. While the music does have a resemblance to
Mother Love Bone at times (arena-ready riffs and anthemic choruses), there are also references to '80s metal in the six-string shredding skills of Andrew's brother, guitarist Kevin Wood. Andrew (or as he was called at the time, Landrew the Love Child) already had his sights set on rock stardom with such bombastic rockers as "Mr. Liberty (With Morals)," "Shot Gun Wedding," and a cover of
Ted Nugent's "Wand Dang Sweet Poontang." It may be more one-dimensional than his more accomplished work with
Mother Love Bone, but
Malfunkshun's
Return to Olympus is a special treat for fans of Andrew Wood. ~ Greg Prato