Search - Residents :: Tunes of Two Cities

Worth the Work....

Nitram | Australia | 05/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While I agree with other reviewers that the Residents are an acquired taste, once the acquisition is made 'The Tunes of Two Cities' is right up there with the very best of their work.

The concept itself is brilliant and makes for a follow up to 'Mark of the Mole' that actually surpasses its predecessor in my opinion. Where maybe they had taken themselves a bit too seriously with MOTM, here they are back to their irreverent best and through that irreverence they reach some profound musical moments.

Depicting the music of two different cultures as different as the two groups described in HG Wells' 'The Time Machine', they roam between the twisted and ridiculous big-band kitsch of the leisure class and the guttural, percussive moans and whines of the subterranean workers. Through this they somehow create a haunting atmosphere and manage to continue the class dialogue of 'Mark of the Mole' but in a more subtle and satisfying way. It needs a few listens but then most good things do."

The most disturbing "Easy Listening" album you'll ever hear

M. Davignon | Oakland, CA USA | 09/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is by far my favorite Residents cd. Entirely instrumental, it alternates between 2 different musical cultures ("Chubs" and "Moles"). The Chubs' music is bright and cheerful at first glance, like easy listening, but there are just enough 'wrong' notes thrown in to make it not so subtly disturbing. The music of the Moles is the opposite. Their songs are made from outwardly frightening sounds - heavy breathing, subterranean mechanical sounds and insect-like scuttles, but on repeated listens you'll find them darkly fun and festive. As the cd progresses, you start to hear the influences that the 2 cultures have on each other."