THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF DER SHRIMPKIN

This strange combo is a quintet with a rare lead trombone as well as xylophone (and associated percussion instruments) as second lead. Musically this zany group is obviously influenced by Zappa, Beefheart, The Residents and other almost-burlesque avant-prog like Miriodor, X-legged Sally and even Alamaailman Vasarat.

24 tracks never giving you a moment of rest, but the album goes all over the place like a Zappa or Resident album, giving you a wide range of moods and variety, but loosing a bit a sense and direction. I for one failed (for once) to fall under the charm of such a record, and if the lead trombone is rather a fresh idea, but I must say that by now (I discovered this album a decade after its release), albums like this one come out in a very demonic rate, and it is likely to get lost in the sheer mass of release. But Shrimpkin really hold a bit of an edge on the competition, as it is often very catchy and fun, rather than the obtuse nature of most of the other avant-prog albums. A very eclectic hectic album, which will either drive you insane or cure you from your insanity, the middle ground not being an option in this case.

Clearly if you are a Zappa fan this is the kind of album you'll love this album (and most likely other Eskimo releases), and although hardly essential it does stand out as one of the better albums in the genre. Hence the fourth star.