Customer Reviews

Raygun Suitcase

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

 

 

After tinkering with a more (supposedly) commercially-oriented pop sound in the late 80's and early 90's, Pere Ubu reformed and came roaring back with this gem which, in my humble opinion, ranks right up there with their best. In some ways, this outing even tops the much-heralded masterpieces of their heyday (e.g. Modern Dance, Dub Housing, etc.) in that it is really, really TIGHT. Whereas many of their other efforts tend to meander a bit (not that that's necessarily a bad thing, mind you), this thing is focused like a laser (from the "ray gun" in the title, perhaps???). I find it fascinating that what we see here is an occurrence of what I like to call "recycled influences". This is where an influential band or artist that's been around a while ends up being influenced by other bands/artists that THEY influenced in the first place. Even though this phenomenon certainly couldn't be called common, it's not as rare as you might think, either. Recall how David Bowie was re-influenced by Nine Inch Nails a while back. Listening to this, I can make out distinct shades of Sonic Youth, REM, Pixies, and even They Might Be Giants. These are groups that would have existed as completely different entities if it weren't for the guiding light of Pere Ubu, if they would have even existed at all. I really do thoroughly enjoy every song on this album, and there is absolutely NO filler. Especially, I find "Folly of Youth", "Electricity", "Vacuum in My Head", "Three Things", "Horse", and "Red Sky" to be utterly crazed, psychotic masterpieces. "Red Sky" in particular really kills me - it vies with "Small was Fast" (off of "New Picnic Time") as my all-time favorite Ubu song. No matter what else you might want to say, at the end of the day, Pere Ubu chose to get back to their roots and be re-influenced by THEMSELVES! And that's a very good thing, indeed.

After tinkering with a more (supposedly) commercially-oriented pop sound in the late 80's and early 90's, Pere Ubu reformed and came roaring back with this gem which, in my humble opinion, ranks right up there with their best. In some ways, this outing even tops the much-heralded masterpieces of their heyday (e.g. Modern Dance, Dub Housing, etc.) in that it is really, really TIGHT. Whereas many of their other efforts tend to meander a bit (not that that's necessarily a bad thing, mind you), this thing is focused like a laser (from the "ray gun" in the title, perhaps???). I find it fascinating that what we see here is an occurrence of what I like to call "recycled influences". This is where an influential band or artist that's been around a while ends up being influenced by other bands/artists that THEY influenced in the first place. Even though this phenomenon certainly couldn't be called common, it's not as rare as you might think, either. Recall how David Bowie was re-influenced by Nine Inch Nails a while back. Listening to this, I can make out distinct shades of Sonic Youth, REM, Pixies, and even They Might Be Giants. These are groups that would have existed as completely different entities if it weren't for the guiding light of Pere Ubu, if they would have even existed at all. I really do thoroughly enjoy every song on this album, and there is absolutely NO filler. Especially, I find "Folly of Youth", "Electricity", "Vacuum in My Head", "Three Things", "Horse", and "Red Sky" to be utterly crazed, psychotic masterpieces. "Red Sky" in particular really kills me - it vies with "Small was Fast" (off of "New Picnic Time") as my all-time favorite Ubu song. No matter what else you might want to say, at the end of the day, Pere Ubu chose to get back to their roots and be re-influenced by THEMSELVES! And that's a very good thing, indeed.

I adore this album. It has to be listened to myself, alone, when I'm feeling really blue, cuz it pumps me up.

Certainly, most reviewers "in the know" about this group probably dont consider this one of their best, and who can blame them? Progress is too fast for the faint of heart, and pop is too lame for those who cannot find words for their own feelings. For those, please listen to "My Friend is a Stooge to the Media Priest".

For all the rest, listen to this clash of pop and alternative rock blast out your ears and hammer you to your couch.

The lyrics to this album are very esoteric, and very funny at times, but Beach Boys and Montana are pleasing to the ear and make me go to that special place in my mind when I'm estatic about a song.

Try something different, raise up your troubles and cares and woes, and lay them on this alter of pop.

After tinkering with a more (supposedly) commercially-oriented pop sound in the late 80's and early 90's, Pere Ubu reformed and came roaring back with this gem which, in my humble opinion, ranks right up there with their best. In some ways, this outing even tops the much-heralded masterpieces of their heyday (e.g. Modern Dance, Dub Housing, etc.) in that it is really, really TIGHT. Whereas many of their other efforts tend to meander a bit (not that that's necessarily a bad thing, mind you), this thing is focused like a laser (from the "ray gun" in the title, perhaps???). I find it fascinating that what we see here is an occurrence of what I like to call "recycled influences". This is where an influential band or artist that's been around a while ends up being influenced by other bands/artists that THEY influenced in the first place. Even though this phenomenon certainly couldn't be called common, it's not as rare as you might think, either. Recall how David Bowie was re-influenced by Nine Inch Nails a while back. Listening to this, I can make out distinct shades of Sonic Youth, REM, Pixies, and even They Might Be Giants. These are groups that would have existed as completely different entities if it weren't for the guiding light of Pere Ubu, if they would have even existed at all. I really do thoroughly enjoy every song on this album, and there is absolutely NO filler. Especially, I find "Folly of Youth", "Electricity", "Vacuum in My Head", "Three Things", "Horse", and "Red Sky" to be utterly crazed, psychotic masterpieces. "Red Sky" in particular really kills me - it vies with "Small was Fast" (off of "New Picnic Time") as my all-time favorite Ubu song. No matter what else you might want to say, at the end of the day, Pere Ubu chose to get back to their roots and be re-influenced by THEMSELVES! And that's a very good thing, indeed.

After tinkering with a more (supposedly) commercially-oriented pop sound in the late 80's and early 90's, Pere Ubu reformed and came roaring back with this gem which, in my humble opinion, ranks right up there with their best. In some ways, this outing even tops the much-heralded masterpieces of their heyday (e.g. Modern Dance, Dub Housing, etc.) in that it is really, really TIGHT. Whereas many of their other efforts tend to meander a bit (not that that's necessarily a bad thing, mind you), this thing is focused like a laser (from the "ray gun" in the title, perhaps???). I find it fascinating that what we see here is an occurrence of what I like to call "recycled influences". This is where an influential band or artist that's been around a while ends up being influenced by other bands/artists that THEY influenced in the first place. Even though this phenomenon certainly couldn't be called common, it's not as rare as you might think, either. Recall how David Bowie was re-influenced by Nine Inch Nails a while back. Listening to this, I can make out distinct shades of Sonic Youth, REM, Pixies, and even They Might Be Giants. These are groups that would have existed as completely different entities if it weren't for the guiding light of Pere Ubu, if they would have even existed at all. I really do thoroughly enjoy every song on this album, and there is absolutely NO filler. Especially, I find "Folly of Youth", "Electricity", "Vacuum in My Head", "Three Things", "Horse", and "Red Sky" to be utterly crazed, psychotic masterpieces. "Red Sky" in particular really kills me - it vies with "Small was Fast" (off of "New Picnic Time") as my all-time favorite Ubu song. No matter what else you might want to say, at the end of the day, Pere Ubu chose to get back to their roots and be re-influenced by THEMSELVES! And that's a very good thing, indeed.

Imagine the Fine Young Cannibals breeding with Oingo Boingo and creating a super child. This stuff is quirky, eccentric, abstract ear candy that one can actually tap the feet to. Groovy stuff and very unique.

I found this really irritating for the first couple listens... but I kept wanting to hear it again. I want to hear it again right now, but I can't find it. Truly wierd, creative, intense. Better for headphones than driving, but if it's up loud you can drive with it too. Oh, and I think Pixies are to Pere Ubu as Tom Waits is to Captain Beefheart. Which means if you're a Pixies fan (and if you aren't I don't want to talk to you) you'll be interested in this...

which becomes more evident on repeated listenings (my habit is to listen to with headphones).I quite like "beach boy" (an unnessecarliy problematic title),find "Folly of Youth" wears thin fast, and for an admitted Brian Wilson, David Thomas' version of "Surfer Girl" robs this song of all its beauty and warmth. The rest of the album is quite enjoyable, much like listening to a sonic movie or short stories with a soundtrack.