Customer Reviews

Wormwood

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

After a few years of writing CD-ROM, and educational television soundtracks the Residents returned to songwriting and being a stage act with this CD, and the tour that followed it.

Unlike the less polished "Roadworms" that followed this recording, this CD is packed with pop songs, experimental music, and the weird stuff we all want the residents to make noise about.

There's no doubt that the lyrics, and especially the liner notes of this recording will offend a number of people (like it did me a few times), and if you have extremely strong beliefs that are aligned with the Bible, this album is not for you. However, the music is the stongest the Residents have performed in years, and is not to be ignored by us hardened veterans of the One Eyed Whozits.

From the amazing (but too short) instrumental that opens the album, to the equally amazing, but more disturbing instrumental that ends this CD, this album is packed with pop songs such as "Burn Baby Burn" to the strong pathos of "Firefall".

The Residents have returned from the hades of soundtracks, and are in front of us with all their glory.

The Residents have brought us many treats over the years, which we've greedily devoured, but this piece is both musically satisfying and socially significant. It's a look at the darker parts of the holy Bible (like Lot's escape from Sodom and what happened after and the numerous naughties of King David). Though critical, the album's purpose (according to the liner notes) is "to neither vilify nor sanctify the book, but to allow it to be humanized." Excusing the split infinitive in that quote, the album is thoroughly poetic and thought-provoking. Wormwood is also a good introduction for the uninitiated Residents fan. An overall great album!

El último opus de la banda más extraña del planeta es, curiosamente, su obra más accesible pese al conflictivo tópico que une a sus veinte canciones: las curiosas historias de la Biblia, esas donde el libro sagrado se contradice a sí mismo. Con respeto pero sin dejar su habitual mirada irónica, The Residents desgranan un conjunto de canciones que dejarán satisfechos tanto a los viejos oyentes de la banda como a todos aquellos que quieren experimentar algo diferente al adormecido panorama musical FM. Los mejores temas: "Burn, baby, burn", "How to get a head", "Judas saves", "I hate heaven" y "Kill Him!". Escúchenlo, vale la pena.

The Residents' musical output has suffered in the last ten years, and this latest offering brings them halfway back to where they once were. Those who are fans of their great 70's and 80's recordings might want to come back with this CD, though it sure ain't no "Duck Stab".

The textual content isn't for everyone (note the easily-offended one-star reviewer below), with lots of blatant references to human anatomy, but if you can get past that, you'll be OK.

Despite the dark content, this is probably the most musically accessible Residents album, with songs like "God's Magic Finger", "How To Get a Head" and "Burn Baby Burn" having a genuinely catchy pop flavor to them, if you can believe it from these guys.

With out a doubt the best musical work ever made. Both the lyrics and the music are masterpieces. And not to mention the whole concept of the album, it really got to me. Never before has a little shiny disc made me feel like this. But then again the Residents aren`t anything like any other musicians, they`re so much more.

This album, which looks at many of the daker stories from the bible, is some of the best music the Residents have recorded in the 90's. Despite the fact that their last few releases have been groundbreaking in the world of interactive media (see also the Freak Show and Bad Day on the Midway CD-ROMS) the music took a back seat to the larger project.With Wormwood, The Residents have returned to using music as their medium of choice. While many of the vocals are less treated and more accessible than in their earlier works, the music on this album is quite refreshing and undoubtedly Residential. With song titles like 'God's Magic Finger' and 'He Spills the Seed' you can't go wrong. A live tour based on this album is planned for Spring '99 and is eagerly anticipated.

Nearly blinded by the mix of genius and insanity in this work, I simply can't offer it enough praise.

These chaps are original, intelligent, irreverent and wise. Not for the faint of heart or weak of mind. Richly rewarding for those willing to go the distance.

If you're looking for songs to haunt you, consider yourself spooked, and rejoice.

No doubt, when The Residents take on any topic in their music and art, the end product will always be dark and disturbing! That is what we expect them to do! They carved Elvis "a new one" in 'The King And Eye,' and they deconstructed The Beatles and the 60's Top Fourty in 'The Third Reich and Roll.' But what could they do with "godswordthebible?" This album is the result!

Far darker than the book "Welcome to Jesusland," The Residents basicly do the same thing: Present us with "scripture" that the organs of the popular Theology rarely do... present us with darker and more disturbing aspects of "the word of god."

And boy, do they pick doozies to present here! Some may be offended by their topics, revelations and attitudes on so called "Holy Scripture," yet in every song they provide reference to the particular scripture and verse that they mock and ridicule!

Before you judge this album as "the stupidest thing you ever heard," look up the Scriptural references to their art. Then judge for yourself, if you dare! Their commentary on "Holy Scripture" stupid? Indeed! The Residents merely provide commentary and reference to what Frank Zappa said all along!

Interesting idea for an album, i.e to show that the Bible isn't all love and sweetness, but that there is a huge amount of cruelty and evil and darkness in it too. The songs aren't particularly memorable though, and the silly voice thing doesn't really work with such 'serious' subject matter. The music sounds like it was written for a computer game. There are some nice instrumental tunes but they don't redeem the album. Check out their early stuff for some real wacky music, especially commercial album. Thank you

This album, most likely, will disappoint you. The music doesn't strike me as weird by The Residents' standards. It's almost kind of lame. It's a concept album with probably the most clear concept but the purpose is unclear. Does this album stink? NO WAY! It's a triumph! With developed songs, a great insert, and 61 minutes of music, this might be the best Residents album out there. I know it doesn't compare to older Residents albums but definately deserves as much credit as Freak Show - which is one of Their finest. VERY ESSENTIAL!