Customer Reviews

Mule

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Alice Donut was one of the core bands of Alternative Tentacles back in the late '80s and early '90s. Musically, Donut's style has much in common with the psychedlic punk style of the... Surfers, but I regard Donut as being the more straight-up fun-to-listen-to of the two. The Surfers are great, but in a different way. Alice Donut's work is better informed by a sense of humor and a lively attitude than the Surfers, who usually come off as being much darker and more serious. However, this does not mean that Alice Donut does not pack some weight - in keeping with many Alternative Tentacles bands, Alice Donut follows in the footsteps of the Dead Kennedies with thier lyrics - heavy sarcasm, but always socially and politically relevant.

"Mule" was their third LP, and after this album they kicked bass player and second vocalist Ted Houghton out of the band. After this album, Donut took a turn into a much darker, more metal-oriented style. They almost became a different band after this point, so check out what was the last of their really good albums!

At the time, the big "single" from the album was "Roadkill." While fun, songs like "Mother of Christ" and "Bottom of the Chain" were superior. A decade later I am [still] mad that I never got to see "Bottom of the Chain" performed live because some rednecks shouted me down with cries for "Roadkill."

I've been a big Alice Donut fan ever since '88 when I heard "Lisa's Father", the first song they recorded. I agree that Mule and Bucketfulls of... are two of their best, but I prefer their first album, Donut Comes Alive to Untidy Suicides. Mule shows off a group of really twisted human beings both relaxed enough and focused enough to let us in on what really goes on in their heads. Just listen to a bunch of samples and see if it grows on you. It may be incurable, but the thought police probably won't notice.

I don't have much to say that others haven't said more of and better. I find I can still play this album end to end-it's simply entertaining. I disagree that it's their last good album-but that's neither here nor there. I think it's definitely a five-star album, though, essential to my music collection.

MOST people haven't heard of Alice Donut EVER. I happened onto them quite by accident, but what a great accident! They're gone now, off to that Great-Bands-That-Nobody-Ever-Heard-Of Record Store in the Sky...but hey, they left all this great music! Bucketfulls of Sickness, Mule and Untidy Suicides are the three essential albums, start from there. Enjoy!

Tomas and the gang really rocked out on this early release. Personal faves "Bottom Of The Chain", "Roadkill", "Mother of Christ", and "Roaches in the Sink" show just how dangerous rock-n-roll could be with the Donut at the helm. Plus, when Donut does a cover tune, they plant tongue firmly in cheek and make it their own. Comical case in point: "My Boyfriend's Back." Alice Donut was criminally unrecognized during their day but hopefully keeping their titles in print will keep some of the most sincere alternative rock alive. If you really do want an alternative to the mainstream, the Donut won't disappoint.