The Residents: C/D;S&D

yeah RYM's residents page has become unreadable since they documented all the Talking Light albums, now the 2006-2011 portion of the discography is longer than everything else combined

a similar thing is happening with Tangerine Dream, the last 5 years have been a flurry of odd releases, between remixes of old stuff, bootlegs, special projects, albums full of spillover, then like genuinely new stuff, but nobody really seems to be paying attention anymore

from what i can tell, these are their "proper albums" post Y2K:

demons dance alone (2002)
animal lover (2005*)
tweedles! (2006*)
the river of crime (2006 - "radio show" style storytelling)
the voice of midnight (2007*)
the bunny boy (2008)
the ughs! (2009 - debatable, as it seems to consist of repurposed demos)
coochie brake (2011)

looking at the package design for these albums, along with the non-performative visual component of their work over the past 25 years or so (packaging, videos, etc.), it's hard not to see the residents as a band done in by consistently hideous design as much as by the grating sounds and jokes that haters usually single out. for artists whose rep is so heavily dependent on the eye candy appeal of their theatrical live shows, their overall design aesthetic is fucking horrible. if the shit looked better, i bet they'd get a bit more respect.

* on mute, which i find surprising for some reason

like frogs, i'd appreciate a knowledgeable but critically-distanced rundown of the recent stuff

Didn't keep up with the recent stuff either.

FYI: they've just released ERA B4-74 by the way (as a download), which contains original (= non-remixed) songs from the Warner Bros Album and even material from Ballad of the Stuffed Trigger. Stuff the band claimed would never officially be released. Would their financial situation be that dire nowadays?

The Bunny Boy album is supposed to be in the vain of Duck Stab by the way, in that it contains 'poppy' songs. It is indeed very upbeat and to-the-point; compared to all those storytellers albums that came before it (Tweedles/River/Voice).

>ERA B4-74

thank you for letting me know about this. looks like it has bits from Baby Sex as well as the long '69 Jamboree session (which perhaps is also known as Stuffed Trigger, dunno as I've never heard that or Rusty Coathangers).

Baby Sex really is good enough to be released intact -- I actually think it's stronger / weirder than Meet The Residents. Warner Brothers Album is interesting but I haven't spent as much time with it.

Yeah, ERA b4-74 contains the Hallowed by thy Ween section from Baby Sex.

Are you familiar with the Oh Mummy Oh Daddy Can't You See? show? They've released that as a download too, last year. Snakefinger is on fire on that take-no-prisoners early recording.

see, why they gotta put out these things download-only when they're pressing copies of five to ten new albums every year

thank you for sounding the alarm, that sounds great

I believe that the band is seriously dying. They've been touring like crazy over the last years and release, like, at least one new download release every month. They don't sell enough hard copy anymore to release everything on CD. I personally would love to see a CD-box that contains all the pre-1974 material; but that moment seemed to have passed.

I also sense a certain disappointment in their work. They had this Bunny Boy Internet series, that slowly bled to death visitors-wise. Mute Records put a halt to their deluxe treatment of the classic Residents material. And their new music doesn't sell well enough anymore to put on actual CD. Point is: in the old days the band would use this to their advantage, would create a story around it, giving the idea that it was intended to be like this, because they are avantgarde and always go against the grain. But now it just feels like defeat and giving in.

That being said, I personally adore all their pre-1982 stuff (and there are some gems after that too) and will always be interested in anything that resurfaces from that period.

This is what I know about the recent output:

demons dance alone (2002)

The bands' response to the 2001 terrorist attacks. Dark electronic music with some pop sensibility and surprisingly personal and emotional lyrics.

animal lover (2005*)

Another 'pop' album and a return to form regarding to many fans and critics. People that were into the band in the past and want to see if they can re-enter start here.

tweedles! (2006*)
the river of crime (2006 - "radio show" style storytelling)
the voice of midnight (2007*)

Storyteller albums in the vain of God in 3 Persons, except that the music doesn't contain hooks or songs, it just sets the mood for the dark themed stories (that contain many characters).

the bunny boy (2008)

Upbeat 'pop' album with many short songs that could appeal to lovers of Duck Stab and Commercial Album, though it isn't just a carbon copy of that.

In addition to this the band released on CD and or download an abundance of left-over tracks, instrumental mixes and live recordings, including the ughs! (2009) - which is ugly and weird like The Big Bubble.

My personal problem with post-1982 Residents is that the music is not really band material anymore but mainly keyboard based; which not only dates quickly but also sounds very ugly. The Residents like a particular harsh electronic sound which I personally can't take, no matter how good the performed music may be.

this thread just reminded me that i found the diskomo 12" in one of the 20 boxes in my closet!

i've have these on CD already for some time -

Meet the Residents
Not Available
The Third Reich 'n' Roll
Eskimo
Our Tired, Our Poor, Our Huddled Masses [1997 double disc comp.]

just picked up these -

The Commercial Album
The Tunes of Two Cities
Mark of the Mole

(1) are the ones i just bought any good?? tried to stick to early '80s stuff, based on what i've heard about post-82/83

(2) what else is worth getting & essential that i'm missing?

Duck Stab/Buster & Glenn is a must!

Intermission is really good in my opinion. It's mostly instrumental which makes it easier to take for non-devotees

Snakefinger - Greener Postures

it's the best residents album imo

"James Brown stole the eyeball!"

yeah, Duck Stab/Buster & Glen is a must have, also the Satisfaction and Beatles singles.

commercial album is great though

Everything they did up till the start of the Mole Trilogy is worth having imo, they really were amazingly consistent

"Commercial Album" is very "how to make a really personal album while dressed up as nutters so no-one notices"

That being said, I personally adore all their pre-1982 stuff (and there are some gems after that too) and will always be interested in anything that resurfaces from that period.

― Sebastian (Royal Mermaid Mover),

$100,000 and you're all set.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/dec/07/residents-new-box-set-3m

God, I wish I was a millionaire.

Would've bought the Merzcar, too.

The box contains first printings, but it doesn't look it contains any exclusive music, let alone anything before Santa Dog. How cool with it be if they throw in a original cassette copy of baby Sex?

The Residents want some retirement money, it seems.

I was kind of assuming that they didn't really expect anybody to buy this. Maybe I'm naïve?

It think the Residents see themselves more as artists than musicians. So these are art objects and sold as such. In that way, a hundred grand is reasonable, I guess. But I have no clue if they will sell any of these.

The fact that they are willing to sell stuff from their personal archives (first pressings, genuine eyeballs, etc.) means they most be strapped for cash?

Well, yeah, I figured it was more of an art project... I just guessed that it was a satirical art project, rather than "here is our art, please buy it".

"here is our art, please buy it"

Like their albums of the last 20 years, emphasis on the "please"

i'm with emily.

i too thought this was all some kind of satirical dig at the recent flood of ultra limited ott deluxe editions

I think that if you have the money to spare you can definitely get one for real.
We'll see what happens on Christmas day, then.

I would not be surprised if it was all satire.
I would not be surprised if they sell zero.
i would not be surprised if they sell all ten.

Did it strike anyone as being weird that the CD's looked like Japanese editions with the obi strips, and the call from Edgar J from Tokyo n'all

Anyone ordering the £62,000 edition will get beaten up, personally, by Edgar J for being a 'lightweight'..

These might be the contents:

http://www.crypticorp.com/indexarchive/archives/

Note that it does mention Bay Sex.
That would be something; especially if this means the original cassette with cover art (!) is included.

I'm assuming you mean Baby Sex and not some previously unknown concept album about erotic goings on in the Bay Area

Yep!

Also see this Spin article: http://www.spin.com/articles/the-residents-100000-ultimate-box-set-video
It says "563 songs...40 vinyl LPs, 50 CDs, and dozens of singles, EPs, DVDs, and CD-ROMs plus other releases."
The video says "over 100" items.

According to Popsike.com, people have paid over $3000 for *Santa Dog* alone:
http://www.popsike.com/php/quicksearch.php?pagenum=1&searchtext=residents&incldescr=&sortord=dprice&thumbs=&currsel=

Sebastian, thanks for sharing that link. However, I think that is the inventory of the *entire* Cryptic Corp archive, and *not* the contents of the $100K Ultimate boxed set. Notice the note at the top that says "Homer removed some items for the Fridge project 8-13-12. Subtracted from total." I have my doubts that the *B.S.* cassette would be included in the Ultimate boxed set.

So what's in the $5 mil box? If I were to guess, I might say that the buyer gets the ownership of all things Residents and the Cryptic Corporation.

Also, the Spin article says: Last year the group (now a trio) "revealed" their identities as singer "Randy," keyboardist "Chuck" and guitarist "Bob."

Of course those are fake names, too. Chuck is "Charles 'Chuck' Bobuck"...like the Name Game. Chuck Chuck Bo Buck. But it seems like they're hinting towards a big reveal.

This happened last year: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/the-scene/events/Residents-co-founder-Homer-Flynn-Art-Show-Up-in-Oakland-121331089.html

They're doing a 40th anniversary tour early next year. After that, I would not be surprised if they reveal their identities, thus ending the existence of the Residents.

Not these guys then?

http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1307/4663379322_1bc4e23d12_z.jpg

I have my doubts that the *B.S.* cassette would be included in the Ultimate boxed set.

I doubt that too, if only for the risk of them getting arrested. (Come to think they even pressed T-shirts with the cover art, back in the day!) Note that both Baby Sex and the Warner Brother albums seem to carry the number 43. Would that be the amount of copies they still got in possession? What format is the WB Album on then? Also, no trace to be found of Coathangers and Stuffed Trigger. Maybe they really never existed (except for the occasional song).

Early pressing Rez stuff sells for huge chunks, indeed, so it really is not impossible that some of these fridges will be moving. In addition, from all their subscription releases, none carry a number below 50. But these fridges will carry those numbers. Big deal for collectors, me thinks. Also: a genuine eyeball head.

As far as I can gather, the guys have been touring their asses of over these last few years (because album sales alone will not pay the bills anymore). They seem to be enjoying themselves, but as they really are getting on in years, how much longer can they keep such grueling schedules up? I do think this is a serious attempt at getting some retirement money in. Including a gamble: is there a nut out there who is willing to pay them 5 million bucks?

I don't think there is a need to reveal their identities in the end. Then again, as made up the names of Chuck and Randy are, the stories they tell with these characters may be based on a lot of truth. Randy of his blog, with all those (I think genuine) old pictures. And Chuck with the long story behind his solo album.

Would that be the amount of copies they still got in possession?

Instead of being the # of copies they have, in that case I think 43 is the box number, for the warehouse system they have. The key at the top says "title data media box total". Also the note at the top says "Most recent update - August 13, 2012 current box is 55 some 56".

how much longer can they keep such grueling schedules up?

I hear ya. Earlier in this thread, you also wrote: I believe that the band is seriously dying.

And Milton Parker wrote: something like 12 full length albums in the last three years! good grief. they're just going for it.

Totally. A last burst before they retire. The Residents Wikipedia page says that they moved to California in 1966. Let's say that the *youngest* they would have been then is 18. So in 2013, that would make them 65 years old at least. Retirement age.

Philosophically, I think they would be ok with revealing their identities at the end, as long as they did not make any new material as The Residents. I can't help but think of *Not Available* which was created under the intention of not releasing it, as adhering to the "Theory of Obscurity" (Wikipedia sez: Senada's "Theory of Obscurity" states that an artist can only produce pure art when the expectations and influences of the outside world are not taken into consideration.) But as we know, it was eventually released (when the band forgot it existed).

I actually kind of like the finality of the idea of an unmasking. Like, the moment Charles Gocher died, the Sun City Girls ceased to exist as a band. No reunions.

I'm thinking of seeing these guys when they hit town in February. I've never seen them live and the chances look to be dwindling.

Damn, these dudes were waaaay ahead of the curve on the whole "shitty 90s computer graffix" seapunk thing

'Randy's' tumblr and 'Chuck's' blog are sometimes really affecting. I do get the sense they're wrapping it up. I hope they publish a real memoir - these stories are as entertaining as Fagen and Becker's.

how much longer can they keep such grueling schedules up?

I thought part of the whole "Who are the Residents?" mystery was that they could possibly be sending out players to be the Residents on tours.

This box set is hilarious, and yeah $100,000 is a ridiculous amount of money, but with as much cred and as big a career as they have I bet they set out of 'em.

I thought part of the whole "Who are the Residents?" mystery was that they could possibly be sending out players to be the Residents on tours.

As the concept, the 'group' could exist as long as mankind will hold out. It would have been awesome if there was a group that operated truly anonymous. That didn't feature any accented voices (or that featured many from different regions of the world) or that didn't draw their music from one particular culture or country, so that their origins and whereabouts were anybody's guess. In that regard, the sound and concept of the Residents has always been too much rooted in American culture and in the taste, abilities and views of a particular group of musicians. We may not know there names, but we can certainly identity them by the characteristics of their work. because of this, I too think that the group will, and actually already is in the process of, wrapping up.

The only Residents' album I know is the "Commercial Album" but that seemed quite focussed on personal grief, maybe I'm misunderstanding it..

Just got this from a Barbican mailout.

Sat 18 May, Hall
Underground cult band The Residents showcase their 40 year career. Sex, shrugs and anti-rock 'n roll, it's all in their Wonder of Weird.

Holding up the underground since 1972, The Residents celebrate four decades of unbridled creativity with The Wonder of Weird, their 40th anniversary tour.

Having recently come out as Randy, Chuck and Bob after years of anonymity, the group now presents itself in concert as the ultimate offbeat power trio, pared down to guitar, keyboards and vocals. Shrugging its collective shoulders, the band re-interprets and devours its classic material like a hungry horse inhaling hay, while still stumbling along at full speed.

In addition to showcasing their vast music catalog, the performance also reveals the raw soul of The Residents' lead singer, Randy Rose. After disclosing that his current life partner is a cat, Rose proceeds to confess the failure of eleven marriages while boldly baring the residue of a life-long sexual addiction. Sex, shrugs and anti-rock 'n roll - it's all there in The Residents' Wonder of Weird.

Include me in

I saw them in London before, I think they were promoting the "Icky FLix" DVD, when was that?

I saw that, somewhere on the South Bank iirc, 2003?

Oh shit, 2001!

http://freq.org.uk/reviews/the-residents-icky-flix-live-at-the-queen-elizabeth-hall-london-9th-june-2001-icky-flix-dvd/