| The Bootlicker | |
| Type: | Studio |
| Artist: | Melvins |
| Cover: | Melvins-thebootlicker.jpg |
| Released: | August 24, 1999 |
| Recorded: | January 1999 |
| Length: | 39:59 |
| Label: | Ipecac[1] |
| Producer: | Melvins, Tim Green |
| Prev Title: | The Maggot |
| Prev Year: | 1999 |
| Next Title: | The Crybaby |
| Next Year: | 2000 |
The Bootlicker is the eleventh studio album by the Melvins, released in 1999 through Ipecac Recordings.[2] [3] The album is the second part of a trilogy preceded by The Maggot and followed by The Crybaby.[3] [4] The trilogy was later released on vinyl by Ipecac (The Trilogy Vinyl, IPC-011, February 7, 2000).
The Bootlicker was conceived as a more pop-oriented album; The Maggot was marked by a traditional Melvins metal sound, while The Crybaby featured many guest appearances.[5]
The Los Angeles Times wrote: "While The Maggot offers more familiar-sounding, metal-tinged sludge, The Bootlicker is a musically richer collection with rock, funk and jazz underpinnings."[3] The Riverfront Times called The Bootlicker "one of the best rock albums of the year: truly beautiful and intelligently (but not pretentiously) presented."[6] Tucson Weekly called it "subdued, dark and kind of pop-y sounding in spots."[7]