JACK

Sub-genre: RIO/Avant-Prog (Solid fit)
For Fans of: Captain Beefheart, Estradasphere, Fringe "Indie" releases
Vocal Style: Borderline Tom Waits or Captain Beefheart style psychosis with occasional wailing. Second vocalist has a cleaner melancholy, mid-tone. Guest fem-vox.
Guitar Style: Clean electric, usually thin treble tones.
Keyboard Style: None
Percussion Style: Classic rock set, often busy symbols and funky shuffles. Marimba and vibes included in percussive repertoire
Bass Style: Picked with frequent funky slaps and jazzy walks
Other Instruments: Trombone, Strings and Reeds

Summary: Eskimo is one of those bands that is quite surprising to find that anybody outside of myself and those in close geographic proximity have ever heard of. Very obvious RIO sounds emanate from this small venue ensemble that reminds the listener of a more conventional version of Captain Beefheart. There is a complete absence of any hammering low bass or distorted guitar sounds. The playing is tight with a cartoonish melancholy dissonance. Themes range from Canine Etiquette, covering strange women in peanut butter, and the unpleasant descent into insanity with No Place. The highlight in this reviewer's opinion is the instrumental, loungy Mothra in Pupa Stage. A close second is What's His Name with its spoken word verses with such profoundly ambiguous proclamations as, "What's his name went to Spain and never came back". The recording quality, despite the relatively modern (1990) technology, is acceptable but very indicative of the bands budget. The band, none the less, has their heart in the performance.

Final Score: A worthy effort for a band with quite a limited budget. Most RIO fans will love this. The recording is thin. Good, but not essential. 3 stars.