Mountain was always content to just blast away and let the chips fall where they may, and this semi-reunion album shows that nothing has changed. Brutality, disrespect, mutilation — all forms of violence are incorporated into Twin Peaks, from the obliterating 33-minute "Nantucket Sleigh Ride" to Leslie West's outrageous "Guitar Solo," during which an overloaded Marshall amp actually explodes before your very ears. In "Blood of the Sun," Mountain pokes fun at Yes, mimicking their dopey lyrics in a way that poses the prospect of an interesting contest should these two ever be matched in a battle of the bands. Twin Peaks is the best album of its kind since Lord Sutch and Heavy Friends. (RS 160)

GORDON FLETCHER