MEET THE RESIDENTS

This album, the debut for The Residents (actually, "Santa Dog" was the real debut for the band - a double-set of 7" 45's - but it's included on most editions of the CD), is quite a subversive record. From the altered "Meet The Beatles" album cover, to the deconstructed and distorted rock songs on the inside, there were few artists at the time creating this sort of mayhem.

Technically primitive compared to most of the albums that followed from this band, it still provides a world of wonder. The sounds are mostly obvious instruments, but played like the guys were trying to get a different sound out of each.

The best songs are Smelly Tongues (how can you resist that title?), and the totally bizarre N-er-gee (Crisis Blues). And we must love the "Santa Dog" tracks added on as a bonus.

Not their best, but a load of fun.