Volume 5: Poetry for the Masses (SeaShedShitheadByTheSheSore) is the fifth extended play (EP) by American desert rock collective The Desert Sessions. Recorded in March 1999 at Rancho De La Luna, it was released by Man's Ruin Records on July 21, 1999. The album features eleven credited musicians, including Josh Homme, Dave Catching and Gene Trautmann. It was later re-released with Volume 6: Black Anvil Ego as Volumes 5 & 6.

Recording and release

The fifth Desert Sessions EP was recorded in sessions between March 11 and 14, 1999 at Rancho De La Luna in Joshua Tree, California, a studio founded by Fred Drake and Dave Catching. The tracks on Volume 5 were engineered by Steve Feldman, with Tony Mason assisting, and features a total of eleven credited musicians: Josh Homme (bass, guitar and keyboards), Catching (guitars and piano), Blag Dahlia, Mario Lalli, Nick Oliveri (all vocals), Gene Trautmann, Brant Bjork, Drake, Adam Maples, Mathias Schneeberger (all drums), Mason (guitar and bass) and Teddy Quinn. Homme mixed the album, and it was mastered by Dave Schultz at DigiPrep in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Volume 5 was initially released alone on vinyl by Man's Ruin Records on July 21, 1999. It later received a re-release with its follow-up, Volume 6: Black Anvil Ego, on CD on September 14, 1999 as Volumes 5 & 6.

Critical reception

Music website AllMusic awarded Volume 5: Poetry for the Masses (SeaShedShitheadByTheSheSore) three out of five stars.

Track listing

Personnel

Personnel credits adapted from album liner notes.