LICK MY DECALS OFF, BABY

Lick my Decalls off is as confronting as it's title! Captain Beefheart had already shown incredible ugly experiences within music in the Trout Mask Replica and this is it's logically follow-up. The most elements in the music are the same, but the band is playing more tight and the percussion is more interesting. There are also some very nice xylophone parts.

The Captain ain't no easy listening experience; this is hardcore prog. This record is together with the Trout Mask Replica the hardest music to get into at the time and I don't know if this inaccessibility level is ever beaten! The reason that it is so hard, is because the Captain and it's crew - the Magic Band - are champions in the polyrhythms and is quiet intens. The vocals are dark and ugly sometimes and the music itself is seldom symphonic, but most of the time it is dark and frustrating.

The reason that I do like this music so much is because of all the difficulties in it. The bass, the drum, the percussion and all instruments play out-of-the-box creating a weird atmosphere. This music is full of surprises. I also do like the avant-garde saxophones and strange rhythms. It took me some time to appreciate it, but after this hard work a masterpiece approaches!

In comparison with the Trout Mask this music is somewhat more proto-punk. If all the strange elements are dismissed you will find a punk basis sometimes. Also the xylophonist is doing a great job on this record. This album is somewhat better because of the somewhat higher quality level of the individual songs.

I do recommend this record for everyone who likes the Trout Mask and everyone who wants to hear the boarder between music and garbage! Not for the faint-off hearted. An avant-garde masterpiece it is.