Haters - 2nd (CD)

All Music Guide

Hater, the side project of former Soundgarden bassist Ben Shepherd and drummer Matt Cameron now of Pearl Jam first debuted in 1993. Twelve years later, The 2nd surfaces. Structured from demos recorded in 1995, the set rarely strays from the classic and hard rock models that propelled Shepherd and Cameron's primary band into the stratosphere in the 1990s. The spastic thump of "Downpour at Mt. Angel sung by Devilhead's Brian Wood is one of several highlights. The unplugged vibe of the Shepherdsung "All Good" and the blistering, axefed "Zombie Hand" are two more, although the vibe of the disc like much of the grunge movement of the time feels dated today. While the Mudhoney/Tadlike guitar rocker "Between Two Fires" comes off sounding a little too anonymous, the Jimi Hendrixinspired "Uncontrolled" is easily the most redeeming moment on The 2nd.

- John D. Luerssen, All Music Guide