By far the strangest dude I've reviewed,(and that really IS saying something!) Snakefinger is a Residents waller and as dotty as they come. I haven't a clue what this bloody fool's going on about, but it's completely enrapturing and compelling.
You'd want to be mad to begin your album with a muffled, Hawaiian-guitar version of Kraftwerk's 'the Model', yet that's just what old Snaky does on 'Chewing Hides the Sound',(! enigmatic is ol' Snake if nothing else) and it's more interesting than the tepid original. Other bits include the lilting 'Kill the Great Raven' (why Snaky..?) the controversial (ha ha, any-one interested..?) 'Jesus Was a Leprechaun' and the redolent strum-thrum of the inspired 'Picnic in the Jungle'. All 'songs' swivel convention on one finger. You can't imagine 'CHTS' as a live set; no-one would believe it.
The audience would think they'd had their drinks spiked.
More insanity follows with 'Greener Postures' (See? Snaky's having a laugh at our expense-God love him. He's having FUN!!) Totally insane title's like 'Thrashing All the Loves in History' and 'the Picture Makers vs. Children of the Sea' leave you glowing with appreciation before you even listen to the actual song's and when you do - no disappointment at all. Yay!
A summary isn't necessary, and trying to write one seems as loony as sitting down with the questionable intent of listening to these two delirious albums at one sitting. A couple 'tracks' would probably be enough for a 'rock' fan, but watching his greasy mullet speeding over the horizon would be a treat for Snaky, ever hard-core.
Where else can you hear genius statements like;
'Jesus was a leprechaun, dying on the cross,
Remembering his Celtic roots.
He tried to have a little fun.
Jesus: But my hands and feet are so numb'
It's like Pound's magnificent 'Ballad of the Goodly Fere' set to affectionate but psychotic music.
You can't help listening;
'Jesus was a leprechaun, his name was Tidy Tom,
A twinkle in his aye.
Jesus: They made a martyr of me,
But I never expected to die.'
If you want your life to be better, get this double cd.
