Betty (album)

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Betty
Betty cover
Studio album by Helmet
Released June 21, 1994
Recorded 1994
Genre Alternative metal, Experimental rock, Noise rock
Length 41:43
Label Interscope Records
Producer T-Ray and Helmet
Professional reviews
Helmet chronology
Meantime
(1992)		 Betty
(1994)		 Aftertaste
(1997)

Betty is the third album by Helmet, released in 1994 on Interscope. The album was highly anticipated after the band's successful previous effort, Meantime. Usually regarded as Helmet's "experimental" album, it features a more musically-broad approach with forays into jazz and blues. However, Helmet's sonic trademarks of crunchy riffs and pounding drums still defined the album. The album's biggest hit, "Milquetoast", also appeared in alternate form on The Crow soundtrack as "Milktoast". Its video was in regular rotation on MTV, and videos for "Wilma's Rainbow" and "Biscuits For Smut" were also released.

This album coincided with Helmet's first personnel change, with Rob Echeverria replacing the departed Peter Mengede on guitar. Betty received almost unanimously-favorable reviews from critics.

[edit] Track listing

  • (All tracks by Hamilton, except † by Bogdan/Hamilton; ‡ by Gillespie)
  1. "Wilma's Rainbow" – 3:53
  2. "I Know" – 3:41
  3. "Biscuits for Smut" – 2:53
  4. "Milquetoast" – 3:53
  5. "Tic" – 3:40
  6. "Rollo"† – 2:38
  7. "Street Crab" – 3:31
  8. "Clean" – 2:26
  9. "Vaccination" – 3:04
  10. "Beautiful Love"‡ – 2:03
  11. "Speechless" – 2:58
  12. "The Silver Hawaiian"† – 2:08
  13. "Overrated" – 2:40
  14. "Sam Hell" – 2:09

The album appeared on vinyl (on Amphetamine Reptile Records) in double 10" format; this version included additional tracks "Flushings," "Thick," and "Pariah," while omitting "Sam Hell." The Japanese CD also adds "Pariah."

A limited edition CD was also released with a blue jewel case and five extra live tracks recorded July 30, 1994 in Los Angeles. The live tracks are: "Sinatra," "FBLA II," "Tic," "Just Another Victim," and "In the Meantime." (These tracks were also released overseas on the Wilma's Rainbow CD EP.)

[edit] Chart positions

Album

Year Chart Position
1994 The Billboard 200 45

Singles

Year Single Chart Position
1994 "Milquetoast" Mainstream Rock Tracks 39

[edit] Personnel

v • d • e
Helmet
Page Hamilton • Dan Beeman • Kyle Stevenson • Jon Fuller
Peter Mengede • Rob Echeverria • Chris Traynor • Henry Bogdan • John Stanier • Frank Bello • John Tempesta • Mike Jost • Jeremy Chatelain • Jimmy Thompson
Studio albums
Strap It On (1990) • Meantime (1992) • Betty (1994) • Aftertaste (1997) • Size Matters (2004) • Monochrome (2006)
Other releases
Singles
"Born Annoying" • "Bad Mood" • "Blacktop" • "Unsung" • "Give It" • "In The Meantime" • "Primitive/Born Annoying 1993" • "Just Another Victim" (collaboration with House of Pain) • "Milquetoast" • "Biscuits For Smut" • "Wilma's Rainbow" • "Exactly What You Wanted" • "Like I Care" • "See You Dead" • "Unwound" - 2004 • "Smart" • "Gone" • "Monochrome" • "Money Shot"
Labels
Related bands
Languages