Search - Butthole Surfers :: Humpty Dumpty LSD

Odds and sods

Chet Fakir | DC | 12/14/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This is a very uneven compilation of unreleased and rare home recordings, practice-space jams, comp tracks, and outtakes from 1982-1994. Unfortunately after listening to this you'll know why most of this wasn't released before. Its more of a collection of (mostly instrumental) sketches and half baked ideas than an actual album. Of course their are some good songs such as "I Love You Peggy", or the 13th Floor Elevators cover "Earthquake", or "Endhoven Chicken Masque" but Humpty Dumpty LSD also contains a lot of absolute garbage such as "Night of the Day", a number played on acoustic guitar accompanied by unintelligible low pitched and unintelligible high pitched voices. It's as boring a song as you can imagine. Or the worst number "Perry Intro" which may or may not be the beginning to the song Perry that has been slowed way way down to a sludge like crawl. I mean come on, this is the kinda crap that every kid with a tape player or digital delay has done since tape machines (or delays) were invented. Big time yawn for that one.



Most of this album just isn't that interesting or groundbreaking, the quality of the "songs" isn't high. In fact it's pretty low because this stuff wasn't intended for release. Its like a Buttholes sketch book, not a finished work. If that sounds interesting to you or if you are a die hard fan you may want to pick this up, otherwise avoid it or rip it from a friend."

A Hairway of Locusts

Gunther Haagendazs | Up High in the Trees | 11/09/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Many people have called this collection of Butthole Surfers Rarities "an album that sounds like it was between Locust Abortion Technician and Hairway to Steven". That a perfect definition of Humpty Dumpty LSD because it sounds exactly like that. Released in 2002, for a moment it seems like they started using drugs excessively again, Theresa rejoined the band and they started jumping around stage again. I hope this won't be the last rarities release as they certainly have more then enough material to make a Humpty Dumpty LSD volume 2, 3 or 4. I've read in an interview that was made shortly after Independent Worm Saloon that they had over 300 songs that were recorded but weren't released on any records. The Surfers had always found time to record while they weren't touring and this guarantees that there is even more material these guys have hidden away. Although half of the material here is Instrumentals, it makes perfect sense considering mush of it isn't actually complete.



This is definitely not the best place to start with the music of the Butthole Surfers. I would say that it would be best to have at least two albums from their 80's era before deciding upon this. Something that is interesting though, on the Vinyl versions, there are 2 bonus tracks, Sinister Crayon 9which later made it to the Butthole Surfers/Live PCPPEP re-release) and Sherman, which I haven't had the pleasure of hearing yet. Here is a breakdown of the album so you will know what to expect.



1. Night of the Day 8/10: A lot of people don't like this and consider it a throw away track, but if you listen closely and pay attention to what is being said, it is hilarious and perfect, also the music is relaxing.

2. 100 Million People Dead 9/10: the original version appeared on several compilations and can be downloaded from their website. This is a much cleaner version and is 7 minutes long. The only bad part is that this is 7 minutes long, it could have been just as good had it been in 4 minutes and not so repetitive.

3. I love you Peggy 7/10: Another one of their Stalker songs, pretty funny.

4. Space I 7/10: relaxing instrumental that features whistles of various types along with multiple kinds of sound effects.

5. Perry Intro 7/10: Another Instrumental, this one leans toward disturbing sludge that could be found under the bathroom sink next to your skull bong. Originally an Intro to the song Perry, and in their combined form is called Perry Mason.

6. Day of the Dying Alive 10/10: Enter a Demo of the first half of Jimi. I actually think this sounds more disturbing than the original especially with Paul's soloing.

7. Eindhoven Chicken Masque 10/10: An awesome instrumental that features trumpets, the two drummers and a variety of sweet guitar riffs, probably could have been a little longer.

8. Just a Boy 8/10: Along the same lines as I love you Peggy, very young Surfers, rather Punk.

9. Hetero Skeleton 9/10: Enter the most Disturbing thing to be found on the record, almost an instrumental I think there are a few things said at the end that may be the Gibbytronix, but this features an insane piano, creepy drums and a Guitar that just sounds loaded with acid. The only bad thing about it is that it drags on for a bit and should have been shorter but it's a terrifically frightening experience.

10. Earthquake 6/10: Kind of fruity, it's a cover of the 13 Elevators Song, it just doesn't seem to fit.

11. Ghandi 9/10: A B-Side for Independent Worm Saloon, it can be found on the Japanese Import. Very relaxing and psychedelic.

12. I Hate My Job 10/10: YES! An anthem for working teenagers everywhere! It's hilarious and obviously very punk.

13. Space II 5/10: A Disturbing Instrumental in comparison to Space I, weird effects found throughout, no whistles this time.

14. Concubine Solo 5/10: It's just a piece to a song, a 4 track.

15. All Day 3/10: The beginning is nice, but this song gets repetitive really, really fast and you just want it to end, kind of like working all day and practically an instrumental.

16. Dadgad 8/10: A Six minute cheery jam instrumental and positive way to end the album.

17. [Untitled] ?/10: This is the real end to the album, and that's all it is. Its six seconds long and its something that kind of tells the listener that the album is over.



Here's a list of possible songs to put on any Humpty Dumpty LSD type sequels. Whatever (I Had a Dream), Pottery, Hybrid, All the Pepper Remixes (I believe there are 4), The Legless Eye, Good King Wencenslaus, Who was in My Room Last night? (Trent Reznor Remix), Neee Neee, Clean it Up, Matchstick (Demo), Flame Grape, Other 1982-83 demos, Sherman (From the Vinyl version), Tiny Rubberband, Summer in the City, Underdog, Interviews, any songs from the rare fan club 7"s, I have 4 of them - they feature live songs, the 12 songs from After the Astronaut, Hurdy Gurdy Man Remixes, The Lord is a Monkey (Demo/Remix), maybe a backwards version of the song Hay (its actually just a bunch of drums jamming), and if you've ever heard Jimi at 45rpm, you'll notice that Gibby is actually sounds normal and very interesting, and how about a studio version of No Rule? That song has been played in concert forever and it's never been on a record.



I know that the Butthole Surfers are kind of on a hiatus right now, but let's hope that they get back in the studio and release some new stuff or at least release more stuff like this. Most of it isn't great classic songs, but they are still enjoyable, even the bad ones I can find myself listening to. Get this if you are a Big Butthole fan. Hoped this helped.

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