Uterus and Fire

Description

This debut is primordial rock: swampy, primitive, and totally organic. Arrington de Dionyso howls with the fervor of a preacher's son gone astray, like someone all guttural and ancient (Captain Beefheart, say, or Jad Fair). Aaron Hartman (also of Olympia, Washington's analog drum & bass act ICU) slaps his bass in a righteous frenzy, while sticksman Phil Elvrum pounds as if Satan is at his heels. Want songs? They got songs! "Giant Boat" is like Beat Happening gone wild. "Khomuz" throws in a jew's-harp which sounds uncannily like a didgeridoo. The strained vocalizing on "Office Building," meanwhile, would put even Nick Cave to shame. And "Telephone Call" revives fond memories of Pere Ubu's early Rough Trade singles. Jeez, Louise! These men are deranged. --Everett True