I usually cram all my three-quarters-baked observations about the tracks highlighted in this weekly feature. In the case of the different version of the Breeders’ alternative rock hit “Divine Hammer” that was released this week just ahead of its inclusions on the thirtieth anniversary rerelease of the masterful album Last Splash, I prefer deferring to Kim and Kelley Deal. This is the story as recounted by them in article by Sam Richards in the October 2023 issue of Uncut:

“At the time, J Mascis was a guitar god,” adds Kelley. “We sent him the tape to put the guitar on, so when it came back and he’s got rid of our voices and just put his vocal on, we were like, ‘Wha?!’ But it’s really cute. There’s a freshness to it, and it’s just so weird. I like his voice and the idiosyncratic way he sings and delivers lines. So I thought it was really neat.”

Mascis himself claims to have “no memory at all” of recording what is now called “Divine Mascis”. But if it was a pisstake, Kim has waited 30 years to get her revenge. “We’re gonna put out a video that he did for it. He’s so fucking uncomfortable! He was so nice to do it, but towards the end I’m like, ‘Oh my God, stop killing him!’ So that’s what he gets for singing – now he’s gotta sit there looking at the camera and do all the words.”

The thirtieth anniversary edition of Last Splash is released today.