ESKIMO

The word "unique" gets a new meaning listening to The Residents "Eskimo", no one ever will create an album like this again. You could consider this as a radio theatre play rather than a musical recording due to the lack of melody, which is replaced by random Eskimo chants and (often wind) sound effects. Occasionally there are instrument parts here, though mostly percussions, played by Henry Cow drummer Chris Cutler, or noodling acoustic guitar parts. The album has an horrific dark mood to it, and it's remarkable unpredictable and downright bizarre in a way never explored before; this is so original that it's scary. The stream sample featured here should give you an idea on how this one sounds. There are six songs here, each with a different theme to it that basically are explained in the song titles themselves, like "Birth", which features a bit freaky birth sounds, and "Walrus Hunt", which features lot's of walrus sounds (ulk ulk auh auh!! :P). This is not an easy listening album, in fact, it's rather opposite!

Either you love it or hate it. I'm more on the "love it" side actually. After repeated listenings and active listening and studying of the album it growed on me progressively, and even though this isn't a directly musical recording, this work still stand out as appealing for some, and it's a very rewarding album actually, though it heavily depends on how open-minded and alternative you are. It's definitely NOT for everyone, considering that this one might be one of the strangest and disturbing musical experiences you might stumble over, but it's worth a listen, just be careful!

Note: I suggest listening to this one at least 3-5 times before making an opinion on it, because even though you hate it at first, it might "click" on you suddenly!

4.5/5 (rounded up to 5* for being so original and unique)