Blarobbarg

Hey, their name sticks out and alienates today. Including to myself.

But so what if there is a standout song? Just because there's a standout song doesn't mean the rest of the album aint awesome.

Speaking of which, I'm listening now... and it sounds quite different than I thought it would. Very psychedelic. And the bullhorn singing is pretty different, a bit grating on the ears (not necessarily a bad thing). And something that I've noticed, though I may be wrong, is that the lyrics seem pretty repetitive, but his singing technique is so random and spur-of-the-moment that it's hard to tell. Thoughts?

starrynight

I don't think most of it is that random, most of it is quite simple as much as the simplest pop song. That's why I find it funny when 'rock' people get snobby about pop music. Those three tracks I mention are probably the stand outs but there's plenty of filler I think.

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non-cliquey member of every music forum I participate on

Nosferatu Man

Just going to download it now, sceptical about punk though!

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Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Blarobbarg

Hahaha. If you think punk is crazy I've got a feeling that this will be a bit much for you.

TockTockTock

Wait... and you're saying this while having Patti Smith's debut album cover as your avatar?

Paedantic Basterd

I thought I was going to really dislike this album, but I actually liked it more than I expected. As has been said before, the band's got a fairly alienating name (and the album title isn't doing them any favours either), but I was pleasantly surprised not to hate it like I expected. I'd always been under the impression that this was going to be a very angry punk affair without enough melody to keep me going, but it was far more listenable than I expected.

That said, I can't give the album more than a 2 on my personal scale (2 is a rank of "infrequently listened to/low purchase priority". It's just not a mood I hit on very frequently, and when I do, I tend to go to other albums to fulfill it. I'm still glad we covered it though, because I wouldn't have been likely to pick it up on my own, and the most important thing is that now I: 1) Have an informed opinion about it and 2) Am open to other Butthole Surfers releases.

Best songs I'd say were Negro Observer and Cowboy Bob; I really enjoyed the use of the saxophone in both of these tracks, and that was another aspect I hadn't expected from this album. I probably disliked the first track the most, which is hardly relevant, because it means the album only improved as it went on.

In summary, don't feel too strongly about this, but I'm glad we did it, and I learned something from it.

Paedantic Basterd

Don't forget that we're accepting THEME NOMINATIONS until Saturday July 30! We've only had one nomination so far, so please toss your suggestion in the hat!

bob.

a Butthole Surfer is someone who gets high by shoving drugs up their but

Spoons:
1) What are this albums' strengths?
in all honesty i feel the strength is the fact that they set out to attempt something different....this is NOT a punk rock album....although there are certain ellements of punk rock....and i'm sure at some point all the members were involved in punk rock....this really does transcends the typical punk rock sound....esp considering when it was released.....which is something i think you have to remember when listening to it....this crap came out in 1984 and was very fresh for the time.....to me this is obviously a group of social degenerates on drugs trying to create some great music.....and in my opinion it worked perfectly

2) What are its weaknessess?
first the obvious....this did not then and probably never will have commercial success due to the bands name...the albums name....and honestly the content through out the album....its not for a mass market.....years later in the mid 90s Butthole Surfers released their first true radio friendly "pop" song...Pepper.....the worst song they ever recorded was still the best thing being played on mainstream radio for that year....

whats great is i went and saw them on that tour....and honestly expected a watered down version of the band i love....what i witnessed was wonderful....the audience was sin many ways split between fans of the band and fans of that song.....Gibby walked out on stage and vomited on three people in the front row....talk about a great opening to a show....they played a set that was primarily from their first four albums and their encore was a gut retching uber long drunk version of "Pepper"...which even started to get on my nerves

3) How does it compare to the artist's other work?
as i think i said in my nomination....for me this album is a perfect example of this band....and is their opus....not to say that their other albums are not good.....if you want insane psychedelic music performed by truly insane people.....pick up any of their albums

4) Favourite songs?
Cherub, Lady Sniff, Mexican Caravan, Dum Dum, Gary Floyd...**** it i really do love every song on this album

5) What feelings did this album evoke?
nostalgia of better times

6) How does this album fit into your regular rotation?
for the most part my rotation goes like this....i have an iPod which i keep my favorite albums on.....that way i can listen to the album in full or put on random and never be upset with what plays....this has never left said iPod....and gets played at least weekly in full....

7) What stood out to you about this album's themes, musically/lyrically?
i feel to the untrained ear one my think that these people have know idea what they are doing and simply re-using old shitty chords....and they may be right....but damn its well done.....this is like music for hippies who decided that humanity was not worth saving....but still wanted things to be groovy


8) If you've had any noteworthy experiences with this album, what have they been?
this album fueled many a night of debaucherous sin....laced with booze and pills with some of the greatest people i have ever had the pleasure of knowing

9) What do you know about this album's creation? Any interesting facts or anecdotes?
i suggest reading the book "Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground, 1981-1991" by Michael Azerrad.....the section on Butthole Surfers will have your crying tears of laughter.....everything from attempting to attack Nick Cave and getting kicked in the head by Blixa Bargeld to rubbing their unmentionables all over Jimmy Carter's daughters luggage and watching the ex-president put his hands all over them....these boys (and girl) truely lived by the creed "Do What Thou Wilt"

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A kiss is the beginning of cannibalism.

Reach out, pierce the fine fabric of the sheltering sky, take repose.

Paedantic Basterd

Hmm, I can't say I view being vomited on as anything other than assault...

BastardofYoung

I think they assaulted epileptics more with their strobe heavy stage shows. BHS used a lot of strobes in their shows. Plus the sound... some bands just have the speakers set up on the stage and around it.... not the Surfers... they placed the speakers in every corner of the room, in 360, so no matter where you were you were being assaulted by sound... imagine them live in 360 surround sound...

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last.fm

‎"I hope that someday we will be able to put away our fears and prejudices and just laugh at people." - Jack Handey.