Invasive Exotics

I discovered them about 5 years ago and was amazed. They have a totally distinct, gritty sound. "Lost My Sight", "Going South" and "Dirty Hands" are especially the standouts. Gnarly but hypnotic.

Indian Jewelry, Invasive Exotics (Monitor Records, 2006)I've spent a lot of time over the past couple of months listening to Invasive Exotics, trying to figure out what I think of it. I have come to the conclusion that I don't like it as much as Indian Jewelry's debut album, Sangles Redux. But then, there are very few albums, by anyone, I like as much as I like Sangles Redux, so that's not saying much. Truth be told, though, that's part of my problem; mixed in with the real gems on this disc ("Health and Wellbeing," "Partying with Jandek," the awe-inspiring "Lesser Snake") is a remix of "Lost My Sight" that I just can't get past. The version on Sangles is one of those tracks you could just listen to over and over again. (I do, at times.) The new version is... meh. Why mess with perfection?But, you know, it's Indian Jewelry. And it's one annoying track. And while an Indian Jewelry album can't capture the fascination, ferocity, and almost ritual atmosphere of their legendary live shows, their albums come closer than those of any other legendary live band I can think of to doing so, and are thus more worth picking up. (If you have not yet heard Sangles Redux, you need it. Listen to "Going South" and tell me that is not a song that just begs for live performance. If you have not yet had the chance to see these guys live, do whatever you must.) This is very, very good stuff, and well worth your time. *** ½

I picked this up pretty much out of idle curiosity, and boy howdy was I surprised. I hadn't heard of the band before, but I crap you negative, this is one of the best albums of '06, or really of any other year you'd care to name. I know, I know, 1636 was a banner year for sound recording, but this album would still find a place in my top ten.They're reminiscent somewhat of the also damn cool Gang Gang Dance, but Indian Jewelry mess things up even more with some truly mutant guitar f***ery. Maybe you can imagine "Cherub"-era Butthole Surfers voiding their bowels in some scuzzy underground opium den where the main soundtrack are some scratched-up electroclash records. Actually, that's pretty much what the 10 minute "Going South" sounds like. "Lost My Sight" suggests Suicide being dunked underwater with only some live electrical cables to keep them company. Throughout the album, synths and guitars are abused like so many altar boys, and Erika Thrasher has the coolest luded-out FU vocals to crawl up and die in my inner ear for as long as I can remember.In short, you have to get this, or else people might start thinking you're normal or something. And you wouldn't want that.

The album is insane and great. It's not like Sangles, or their previous Health and Well Being, or We are the Wild Beast, but that is its glory. It goes into new territory, and it goes into outer space.