Apocalypse Now

by Pere Ubu

Overview

Pere Ubu's third live album is only the second to feature decent sound (the first, 390° of Simulated Stereo, was a compilation of dodgy fan bootlegs and almost equally dodgy board tapes), and it has the added virtue of offering a pretty thorough overview of the band's history, from its first album to its most recent work, including bandleader David Thomas' forays into solo work. In fact, it's Thomas' whimsical "My Theory of Spontaneous Simultude" ("Tony, complete this phrase: 'I am like...'") that opens the program. From the old band book they pull out an inferior version of "Heaven" and the epochal "Non-Alignment Pact" (and append to it an abridged version of the Stooges' "I Wanna Be Your Dog"). "Caligari's Mirror" goes almost as far back, but there are also fine versions of the poppier and more recent "We Have the Technology" and "Oh Catherine." Guitarist Jim Jones is playing acoustic on this set, but he's got a Rat pedal that he can stomp when he wants to rock out, which gives the album a nice variety of moods and textures -- though the band's segue from the bludgeoning proto-punk of "I Wanna Be Your Dog" to the 6/8 lilt of "Caligari's Mirror" is enough to give you whiplash. David Thomas is in rare form throughout, warbling and hooting in that strangled-penguin voice of his, just sounding like he's having a great old time. You will, too, though neophytes might want to start with the studio albums first. ~ Rick Anderson

Product Details

Release Date:	03/04/2008
Label:	Cooking Vinyl / Thirsty Ear
UPC:	0711297158526
Rank:	203457

Tracks

1. My Theory Of Spontaneous Simultude
2. Life Of Riley
3. Wine Dark Sparks
4. Heaven
5. Worlds In Collision
6. Cry Cry Cry
7. Medley #1: Non-Alignment Pact/I Wanna Be Your Dog
8. Caligari's Mirror
9. Invisible Man
10. We Have The Technology
11. Humor Me
12. Busman's Honeymoon
13. Oh Catherine
14. Medley #2: Misery Goats/Master Of The Universe

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Pere Ubu   Primary Artist
Tony Maimone   Guitar (Acoustic),Bass (Electric)
Eric Drew Feldman   Piano
David Thomas   Radio,Vocals
Scott Krauss   Drums,Percussion
Jim Jones   Guitar (Acoustic),Pedals

Technical Credits

Allen Ravenstine   Composer
Keith Thomas   Composer
John Thompson   Design,Photography
David Thomas   Mastering
Scott Krauss   Composer
Tom Herman   Composer
Paul Hamann   Mastering
Pere Ubu   Composer
Tony Maimone   Composer
Todd Peterson   Engineer
Jim Jones   Mastering