Demons Dance Alone (2002)
The bulk of these songs were written and recorded after
Sept. 11 2001. The Plutarch quote - "A fool cannot hold his
tongue" - which they use on the cover acts on several
levels. To write a straightforward song about that day
would be foolish to say the least (though several egomaniac
popular singers are doubtlessly doing so right now). The
Residents have not done this. Neither are the songs on DDA
discipherable metaphors for loss of life on that day.
Despite artistic acclaim from those who understand and
appreciate their art The Residents have held their tongues
throughout their career. They also use a quote from Robert
Graves, the First World War veteran and poet. Many artists
who witnessed the horror of that conflict found themselves
unable to talk about it using the usual methods. Indeed our
very language (or tongue?) was deemed inadequate to
describe such mechanised slaughter. I'm going to hold my
own tongue now..
What does clearly come across is a sad weariness with the
follies of human nature. This melancholy has always been
present in their work but never before this tangible.
Instead of being lost to anger though they have created
some of the most bittersweet and melodic music of their
career. The songs they have placed under the heading of
'Loss' are their finest yet. There seems to be a French
influence (must have been that Polnareff tribute album)
evident on songs like 'The Car Thief' and 'My Brother
Paul'. There's a real musical economy at work, tasteful and
well judged, like the way the stately chords of 'Honey
Bear' are underpinned by skittering, almost drum and bass
percussion. My current favourite track is 'Caring', a
perfectly formed pop song with fantastic psychedelic/gothic
guitar and sax breaks. Great story too if you listen to the
words. DDA is a lot more varied than I am making it sound
though. The ghost of Snakefinger (or a guitarist doing a
damn good impression) is drafted in for 'Mickey Macaroni'.
Two songs are carried by what appears to be a child (of a
Resident?). 'Wolverines' is half Wormwood, half 80s funk
nightmare while 'Betty's Body' and the title track seem to
playfully drop 60s pop guitar riffs into the mixture (is
that 'Needles and Pins' on 'Demons Dance Alone'?). There is
anger, but it's a resigned anger. WHY do we fuck it up
every time? Who makes us commit these atrocities large and
small? If there are demons we have invited them, because
it's all US.
The various members of the Residents stand out more as
individuals. Much of the Residents' output since the late
eighties has seemed very characteristic (?) and
attributable to a core creative unit, but this album (more
than any for a long time) sounds like the joint effort of a
"band". Of course this much has been admitted, but since
when has anyone believed anything they tell us?