I noticed a couple of parallels between 77 and Frizzle Fry. The first one is quite simple; both of these bands have basically figured out their sound on their debuts and don't fudge with the formula too much as they move forward. The second is that both bands are kind of weird. I know I just dismissed weirdness for the sake of weirdness (That doesn't even make sense.), but there is a purity to the Talking Heads and Primus weirdness.
I’ve talked about how a Greatest Hits release will stop people from bothering with a band's albums and the Talking Heads early work is kind of a victim of that problem because of their wonderful 1984 live album Stop Making Sense. I spent so much time listening to that I never bothered with their albums.
(EDITOR'S NOTE - I’m going to set up a month down the road, where I listen to tons of “Live” albums.)
I never heard 77 all the way through before this and
“Psycho Killer” is the only track I really know well. I do
have a vague memory of “Pulled Up” though, which was the biggest
standout for me from this listen.
Other standouts include “Uh-Oh Love Comes To Town,” and “The
Book I Read.”
Getting back to what I was saying earlier about them
fleshing out their style, “Tentative Decisions” basically has every element of
the band’s sound all wrapped up into one song. It seems, to me, like this track became their blueprint.
77 is another album that I’m sad passed me by, but I am looking
forward to getting cozy with the Talking Heads catalog as this year progresses. That's me and David Byrne just chilling down in Austin, Texas. We're buds.
Frizzle Fry was released the day after my 19th birthday. I had just started working at my college radio station and I remember
playing “Too Many Puppies” on the air, without every hearing it. When it was
over, I went on the air and said something to the effect of, “those puppies
pooped all over that one.” I then ignored Primus until the following year when
I went to the Concert Hall in Toronto
to see Fishbone and Primus was opening. Sailing The Seas Of Cheese had just
come out. They blew Fishbone off the fucking stage!
Quick story. There was six of us in the car to the Fishbone/Primus show in Toronto. It's about 90 minutes from Buffalo up the QEW. We brought a couple joints with us and when we went over the border, Crybaby Tim's date, I totally forgot her name, stashed them in her panties. When we were in the clear we stopped, probably at a Tim Horton's, and she claims she lost the joints. I was so pissed! I remember saying "did you check your asshole?" To this day, I know that bitch and Crybaby Tim hogged those joints! Fucking Jerks! Tune in to tomorrow's post, and read all about how Crybaby Tim gets whats coming to him!
Although I came to love Primus, I never really went back
to try and appreciate Frizzle Fry.
The albums opener “To Defy The Laws Of Tradition,” couldn’t
be more aptly titled and much like Talking Heads’ “Tentative Decisions,” has
the band’s entire sound completely on display right outta the gate. Also on this album, you can see Les Claypool's jam band future pretty much written on the wall.
I thoroughly enjoyed this album and I’m really pissed I
didn’t give it the time of day because my initial reaction to “Too Many
Puppies,” was so unfavorable. I guess at that time in my life I couldn't defy
the laws of tradition.
“Mr. Knowitall” (Not to be confused with Kelly Clarkson’s
“Mr. Know It All.”), “Pudding Time,” and “The Toys Go Winding Down” are all
heavy and dense and dumb and all over the place and I love them!
I honestly thought there was no way in hell I was going to
like this album or this band. I don’t know if Beach House's Bloom caught me in the right
mood or what, but I LOVE IT!
One of those albums that creates a atmosphere all around
you. Plus the broad singing is French! Did you ever smell a French girl?
Regardless, Victoria LeGrand and Alex Scally will have me scurrying backwards
to listen to their previous three albums. Hey Sleigh Bells! YOU SUCK! (Sorry, I don't know where that came from.)
Not that I have an area of expertise,
but this band’s sound is way outside of it, so I’m not even going to try and
describe it. Dream Pop is how Wikipedia describes their sound, and Wikipedia is usually right on just about everything. Reminds me of something from the 90’s, but I can’t remember what. Saint Etienne? Lush? I dunno, maybe?
Is it ironic that I dismissed The xx two days ago and loved
Beach House today? I guess its the duality of man, sir. (Full Metal Jacket reference there. I'm explaining it for all the dummies.)
Lick that cone, Frenchy! Lick it! Dude, comb your hair and stop trying to look like a creep.
Lick that cone, Frenchy! Lick it! Dude, comb your hair and stop trying to look like a creep.
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