Band: Twitch CD: "Long Ride on a Short Bus" Label: - Static Records Produced by: Twitch Recorded by: Roscoe at Roscoe's Recording, Detroit. Mastered by: Tim Pak at Woodshed Studios. Since their slogan caused me a convulsive guffaw ( "Remember, weirdos are your best entertainment value!" ), the latest, and unfortunately last "Twitch" release had to be the first thing I listened to from my Static Records "Care Package" (Thanks Sue). The trio of Rob Bullock, Tim Taebel and Scott Lemanski formed in 1990 and twelve years later offer "Long Ride on a Short Bus" as their brilliant swan-song (how come I never find out about these great, quirky bands until they break up? Same thing happened with Fez...). To stir your aural imagination and get you as close as I can to their sound in words, I offer this: If I were to describe Twitch as a gourmet meal, they'd be an entre' of Frank Zappa served on a bed of fresh Primus with a dash of They Might Be Giants. Devo and Soul Coughing on the side, thank you very much. This record is a testament to the boundaries of sonic mayhem and sardonic wit. It's what happens, I imagine, when seasoned pros reach a point where their technique, their neuroses and their smart sense of humor simultaneously evolve beyond what is approachable or comprehensible to corporate radio consumers - which is a delightful, exquisite and acquired taste for indie-snobs like me. Musically, "Long Ride On A Short Bus" takes more turns than a two-wheeled tricycle. It's weird, unpredictable and well off the trodden path of standard pop or standard anything for that matter (some have called it avante-garde but I think the phrase lacks humor). The performances are air-tight, aggressive, progressive and venture into small, forgotten spaces where heretofore you might have only found a stray pubic-hair perched in a menacing position (ed note- what the hell does that mean?). "Long Ride On A Short Bus" is a "Must Have" for the discriminating listener bored with the standard fare. It's intelligent, self-deprecating and silly but technically and musically rich and satisfying. Too many great moments to mention, but here's a couple that stuck to the noodle: - from Track 7 - "Sage" captures the folly and hypocrisy of the indie music scene with a nod and a wink. 'Would you just look at those losers they think they're cool / I was cool before cool was cool / I feel good when I say "loser" / of course, I mean it in the nicest way. ' Twitch ©2001 - from Track 6 - "Pasture Eyes" is an ode to the idiom "when the cows come home" or perhaps to the delusion of waiting for your inevitable success. Comes complete with jangling cowbells, of course. 'Nice day for kite flying / stiff breeze just right / I aint got time for that now / no, there's simply no time ' 'Cause they're coming home soon / oh yeah, baby this I swear / any minute now / the cows will be here.' . . . Twitch ©2001 I've been walking around all day with the cow chorus ringing in my head. This one's staying in my personal collection (but you can Buy your own copy here). Can't say enough about this bizarre and delightful CD. - Mitch |
-- Mitch