Hot cup of jolt.Chupacabras * Phideaux * Bloodfish Music Warning signs abound: the haunted-house organs; the 21-minute, seven-part title track referencing "my succulent succulent (sŭk`yələnt), any fleshy plant that belongs to one of many diverse families, among them species of cactus, aloe, stonecrop, houseleek, agave, and yucca. lair." But collaborators Phideaux Xavier and Rich Hutchins whip up a charming '70s progrock pastiche pastiche (păstēsh`, pä–), work of art that combines themes and styles from various sources in such a way as to appear obviously derivative. Pastiches are frequently passed off as works by the artists from whom the motifs and figures were taken., including cellos, dobros, choral singing, and a sly wink. Composed of outtakes and revivals from past recordings, Chupacabras is a crazy quilt of ideas forming a surprisingly cohesive whole. After the dreamy, mysterious, and sometimes Celtic title track, the disc nods to the Pet Shop Boys on "Party," then moves to the post-punk three-song "Ruffian" cycle before closing out with the stately "Titan." And in a world overrun with droning dance clones, it's refreshing to hear abrupt time-signature changes. |
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