Search - Residents :: Duck Stab

They try a pop album... and succeed!!!

The Bass Ninja | ghjg | 06/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Residents are known for their arty experimentalism on avant-garde discs like Eskimo, Third Reich N' Roll, and Not Availible. However, Duck Stab/Buster And Glen revealed a new side to the ol' op-tops. Released in 1978, it was a combo of two EPs that showcased short, concise songs with understandible lyrics-then put through the Resdiential wringer. The result is what can be described as Top 40 for space aliens. Opener "Constantinople" is one of the three undisputed classics on this album, graced with constantly appearing on setlists and covers by Primus. The track is an eerie ditty bringing to mind creepy electronica. The second classic, "Sinister Exaggerator", is a slow and surreal nightmare with lyrics about god-knows-what. The other classic, "Hello Skinny", is a cool tune consisting of bass, clarinet, and echoed vocals.
However, many of the "non-classics" are just as good, some even better. "Blue Rosebuds" is a fantastic love song that shifts gears from surreal to psychotic; "The Booker Tease" is a dirty instrumental with cop-show guitar courtesy of Snakefinger; "The Laughing Song" is a eerie se shanty sung by a redneck; "Bach Is Dead" has a melody that sounds like someone scratching on a balloon and has a famous bridge of three quarter-notes; "Elvis And Is His Boss" is a hilarious splice of the Batman theme and heavy techno, and it even has a I-IV-V progression (!); "Lizard Lady" is an angry little piece of synth goodness; "Semolina" is a harmony-driven ballad; "Birthday Boy" is a demented child's song; "Weight-Lifting Lulu" sounds like a surf tune on tranquilizers; "Krafty Cheese" sounds like nothing lees than an invasion by robot gardeners (you'll see); and "The Electrocutioner" is a 2-parter: a manic blast of squeals, and a slow drift, both sung by some creepy lady.
All in all, Duck Stab/Buster And Glen may not be The Residents' best album, most it's their most accessible while being a fan favorite at the same time. Groovy!"

Beautifully derranged

Shadowgraphs | 12/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Have you ever been in that zone when you're so depressed that you actually feel knid of happy ot so full of joy that you feel like crying for an hour? The Residents live in this zone and thrive on chaos. Sounding like a combination of Mr. Bungle and Radiohead years a decade before either band was formed, the one-eyed wonders know your deepest hopes, your deepest fears, and will ruthlessly exploit them, making this a very important album to anyone who dares purchase or download it. 1,000 words cannot describe the wonder that is Duck Stab/Buster and Glenn. Just buy it today and you'll be happy. Trust me, I know these things."