WORMED BY LEONARD

I believe progarchives is the only place that calls Thinking Fellers RIO/Avant-prog, although I think it's probably the only category it fits here. Mostly this great band is called Indie Rock, but it's really far away from for example Nirvana or Soundgarden just because bands really experimental nature. Comparing it to Sonic Youth is not unfair, although Thinking Fellers has much more rhythmic complexity than SY. Anyway band has been quite unknown specially in the North-Europe, although it made tours in the Middle Europe in the mid nineties. When looking ratings here, this band also seems to be quite unknown also with proglisteners. I am really glad my US- friend recommended band to me some years ago.

It's really odd they released this first album in a cassette-only by themselves in a time, when there was still independent companies like SST. Also it's odd Matador didn't release this as an album later, when they become at least popular in US indie music listeners, instead the band released it again as 2LP and CD adding there bonus material. Anyway it's really great they did it, the band was really great already in the beginning! There are not studio information about this album, but I think sounds are quite great in this, also this album hasn't got as much lo-fi stuff as some their later albums.

When there are many tracks, I review album as the 2LP version on each sides. First side mostly includes Beefheart-style stuff with punk attitude. Beautiful exception of this is 'Hell Rules', although it's name it's made with two guitars and bass and some really interesting percussion and has just very beautiful melodic singing. Second side continuing quite the same style, but there are also three very great country-punk songs that reminds a lot Meat Puppets -stuff. Specially instrumental 'Out In the Kitchen' is just great, reminding some Link Wray old stuff. Third side is the most experimental side. Many tracks are instrumental, but there is also really great vocal track 'Get Off My House' that reminds little bit Zappa's Uncle Meat -time music. Last side is bonus side and the most confusing in this album. Songs are recorded between 1986-1989. When I first time heard their 'doom'-version from the Carpenters 'Superstar', I didn't know what to think. On my last listening it worked some very weird way.

Although the mess in last side could put this album into three stars, the original entity is just so great that I have to give this four. This is highly recommended all the Beefheart fans that has nothing against punk aesthetic. I hope this band (and also it's soul mate Trumans Water) will not go into oblivion. This album is quite good starter, if this review woke your interest, but of course it hasn't got yet the full greatness of their masterpiece 'Strangers From the Universe'.