Scratch or Stitch by Melt Banana

Scratch or Stitch, Melt-Banana's third album, was the Japanese noise-punk outfit's first proper release in the US and the record that finally cracked the door open for them. Steve Albini recorded it in July and August 1995 and Jim O'Rourke mixed it, and neither tried to tame the thing: Yasuko Onuki yelps and chirps like a cartoon alarm clock, Agata wrenches squeals and sputters out of guitar and effects, and Rika mm' keeps the bass stampeding underneath.

The songs flash by at hummingbird speed, and plenty became live favorites: "Plot in a Pot", the title track, "Sick Zip Everywhere" (which got a promo video), "It's in the Pillcase", "His Name is Mickey" and "Iguana in Trouble". A US tour with Mr. Bungle followed, in front of crowds that mostly had no clue who they were. The vinyl came in rubber packaging, limited to 2,600 copies with a poster and a temporary tattoo, and Skin Graft reissued it in 2024.

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