Andrew Wood (see Mother Love Bone) was a genius. Malfunkshun was the band he fronted before Mother Love Bone. I've seen numerous reviews putting this record down, with 'fans' stating that such a record should only be snapped up by collector's or those into grunge, and that hurts me to read that. 'Return To Olympus' is a fantastic glam-rock album that shows the potential before the amazing MLB 'Apple' hit the stores. The album is dominated by L'Andrew as he called himself, adorned in feather boa and splattered in make-up, this record oozes sex, stardust and sleaze long before bands such as Guns 'n' Roses were faking it in Hollywood. 'Return...' is not a grunge album, it's a rock 'n' roll record that has more in common with Led Zeppelin, Marc Bolan, Queen, New York Dolls and the Rolling Stones than fuckin' Pearl Jam or any of that scene.
Check out the truly tear-inducing 'Until The Ocean' and soaring 'Jezebel Woman', or the more sleazy groove 'Shotgun Daddy' and 'I Wanna Be Yo Daddy', as Wood slithers and contorts like a wiry serpent. These recordings are legendary, sad, and glittery, combining that almost lazy musicianship illuminated by Wood's harmonious tones, try the magical 'Luxury Bed...' and the swaggering 'My Only Fan', mesmerising, way ahead of its time, track it down, and revel in it, because it's magical. RIP Andrew.
9/10
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