It's not hyperbole to say that without Mother Love Bone, there would have been no grunge "movement." Not only was it the launching pad for future Pearl Jam members Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament, but Mother Love Bone's only album was essential in making the transition from the hard rock style of Motley Crue and Guns N Roses and laying down the red carpet for Soundgarden and the rest. Certainly, the band favored arena-shaking guitar action and theatrical vocals more than some of their sludgier, punk-influenced followers, but downtempo tracks like "Bone China" and "Gentle Groove" practically lay a trail of bread crumbs for Alice In Chains to follow. But what really makes Apple pop is how effectively Mother Love Bone is able to cull just enough elements of their 70s rock influences (particularly Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith), and drag them through the ensuing eras of goth rock (The Cult), glam metal (L.A. Guns), and alt-rock (Hüsker Dü), to make this oddly satisfying and original sonic stew. Lead singer Andrew Wood is the undisputed star of the group, leading the way with his exaggerated vocal style and aim-for-the-ceiling sensibilities. Wood was far from the kind of mumbly shoe-gazer the grunge movement favored, and it's a shame he died before being able to really cement his group's hybrid sound. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7CPIXnaeeQ
