Anybody up for some ‘circus-metal-prog-folk-rock’? Well, I’m not sure we were and the other writers have gone out of their way to avoid this one like thee plague, but that is what we have got and it comes down to the editor to go a bit crazi(er) and attempt to sum it up. This is part of the Bird’s Robe Record 10th anniversary reissue series where the Australian label have given past albums a second life and to be honest it is a lot more palatable than the instrumental post-rock acts they seem to love and are nothing more than muzak to my ears. This couldn’t be more different as it includes a cavalcade of babbling voices, telephone calls, xylophone solos, cartoon musical runs sounding like a loony tunes all-nighter for the ADHD inclined and of course whacky titles. Examples of these include ‘I ordered a taxi driver not a taxidermy,’ ‘Crispr Me Baby One More Time,’ and the Troma like ‘Poultrytician.’
The lazy review would mention Zappa, Mr Bungle and as another writer mentioned (before vanishing in case I sent it to him), “Primus covering The Mothers Of Invention.’ There’s a lot more going on here though which makes this an utterly schizophrenic but shock horror, enjoyable listening experience. Vocals are completely out there and embrace all manner of styles this side of Spongebob Squarepants and I would imagine Jariss Shead and Peter Stefanovich who provide them are impressionists in their day job. The guitars and drumming are vigorous, adding the metal and as for the carnival we get all the fun of the fair on numbers such as ‘BMX Terminator’ (I’m sure I have that film somewhere) where it goes seriously into Insane Clown Posse territory, whether that is a good or bad thing is up to you to decide? There’s also some insanely catchy melodies on display that get right in your noggin, indeed the aforementioned song has a chorus that would drive fans of bands such as The Bloodhound Gang and There Might Be Giants crazy; it certainly has me.
Prepare for things to go off in all directions, follow the booklet lyrics and tie yourself in absolute knots over the operatic crooning that would have art-rockers like The Residents eyeballs and earlobes popping. Gonzoid and insane in every respect tracks like the funky, disco, power-pop of ‘It’s Morphine Time’ provide just the medication and whatever mood you are in simply can’t help put a smile on your face. I’m not describing all of this as the amount going on within it is pure lunacy and if I have tempted you this deserves the justice of a listen just for the downright bizarre experience of it.
At least the next time I feel inspired to grab this off the CD shelving and give it a blast (as I actually will do) it will be easy to find with its pink sleeve amidst a sea of black. Speaking of which as an odd side note the booklet mentions that additional vocals and vocal engineering are courtesy of Tim Yatras and yes this is surely our Aussie friend behind Germ, Austere, Autumn’s Dawn and a cornucopia of other projects! Who’d have thunk it?
Right, I’m going for a lie down, all of a sudden, I’m feeling rather dizzy. Grieg would be similarly afflicted!
(7.5/10, yes really, Pete Woods)
Leave a Reply