// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Scratch or Stitch say? It's a tear-ible name.
 | This article needs more citations. (May 2021) |
| Scratch or Stitch | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 1995 | |||
| Recorded | July – August 1995 | |||
| Genres | ||||
| Length | 31:13 | |||
| Labels |
| |||
| Producer | Steve Albini | |||
| Melt-Banana chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Pitchfork | 8.2/10[2] |
Scratch or Stitch is the third album by Melt-Banana. This album was the first breakthrough for the band, as well as their first actual U.S. release.
Release
[edit]LP versions of this album were limited to 2,600 copies, housed in rubber packaging with a poster lyric sheet and a special Melt-Banana temporary tattoo.
Recording
[edit]The album was recorded in July–August 1995 by Steve Albini and mixed by Jim O'Rourke.[3]
US tour
[edit]The release of the album coincided with a US tour with Mr. Bungle.[4] This helped establish Melt-Banana as one of the leading new Japanese punk rock bands. Melt-Banana have said in interviews how the audience would scream "We want to see Mr. Bungle", "Freebird" and "Go back to Japan", showing how unknown they were at that time.
Songs
[edit]The track list is filled with Melt-Banana live favorites such as "Plot in a Pot", "Scratch or Stitch", "Sick Zip Everywhere", "It's in the Pillcase", "His Name is Mickey" and "Iguana in Trouble". A promotional video was made for "Sick Zip Everywhere".
Rerelease
[edit]The album was rereleased in 2024 under the Skin Graft label.[3]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Plot in a Pot" | 1:19 |
| 2. | "Scratch or Stitch" | 1:02 |
| 3. | "Sick Zip Everywhere" | 1:51 |
| 4. | "Disposable Weathercock" | 1:43 |
| 5. | "Ten Dollars a Pile" | 0:59 |
| 6. | "Ketchup-Mess" | 1:27 |
| 7. | "Buzzer #P" | 1:46 |
| 8. | "Rough Dogs Have Bumps" | 1:49 |
| 9. | "Iguana in Trouble" | 2:21 |
| 10. | "It's in the Pillcase" | 1:30 |
| 11. | "Test: Ground 1" | 0:30 |
| 12. | "Zoo, No Vacancy" | 0:15 |
| 13. | "A Finger to Hackle" | 0:22 |
| 14. | "Type B for Me" | 0:09 |
| 15. | "His Name Is Mickey (At Last She Got Him...)" | 0:21 |
| 16. | "Back to the Womb" | 2:46 |
| 17. | "I Hate It" | 0:58 |
| 18. | "What Do You Slaughter Next?" | 1:42 |
| 19. | "Eye-Q Trader" | 1:48 |
| 20. | "Dig Out!" | 2:23 |
| 21. | "Contortion Out of Confusion" | 1:39 |
| 22. | "Pigeon on My Eyes (Go to Bed!!!)" | 2:33 |
References
[edit]- ↑ https://www.allmusic.com/album/r270728
- ↑ "Melt-Banana: Scratch or Stitch". Pitchfork.
- 1 2 Lett, Dan. "Melt-Banana: Scratch or Stitch". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
- ↑ Richardson, Zach (2025-02-03). "30 alternative rock albums turning 30 in 2025". Yardbarker. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
