Duck Stab /
Buster and Glen (1978)
Almost all the tracks on this could sit quite happily on a
greatest hits album. This is sharp, bright, loud, funny,
scary, colourful. Crackling with electrical energy, this
sees The Residents at the peak of this particular part of
their game plan. Short, sharp songs; the sense of
confidence is palpable.
Originally an EP called Duck Stab, a poor quality pressing,
even for Ralph Records. It became an album when coupled
with "Buster & Glen", another would-be EP of similar
length. Still one of the most accessible Residents albums
and definitely one of the best. The range of styles is
stunning. From the surreal insanity of Constantinople,
Lizard Lady and The Electrocutioner, the subdued underwater
sounds of Blue Rosebuds, Sinister Exaggerator and Weight
Lifting Lulu to the martian pop music of Semolina and The
Booker Tease, this is 34 minutes, 36 seconds of musical
genius.
The tunes are both weird and wonderful, and at the same
time conventional. You can't actually spot a normal
instrument at first glance because they are played in
unconventional ways. Take Sinister Exaggerator for example:
it really is just an ordinary electric guitar!