Released

It’s impossible to imagine the Jesus Lizard’s music without Steve Albini’s engineering; he was the band’s de facto fifth member, and on this, their second album, he takes their already powerful songs and turns them into paradigmatic Midwestern noise-rock. Duane Denison’s twangy, bent guitar riffs are supported by David Wm. Sims’ loud, rumbling bass and Mac McNeilly’s subtle but whomping drums, and honestly, that would be plenty satisfying enough, but add David Yow’s howling, fever-dream vocals to the mix and you’ve really got something. Albini’s contribution is to mix all four elements more or less equally; Yow is never shoved into the spotlight, indeed he’s often drowned out by Denison, making him sound even more like a crazy guy ranting from the corner.

Phil Freeman

Suggestions
The  Wants cover

The Wants

The Phantom Band
VOID cover

VOID

KEN mode
Ultrapop cover

Ultrapop

The Armed
16 Lovers Lane cover

16 Lovers Lane

The Go-Betweens
Rev cover

Rev

Ultra Vivid Scene
Daughters cover

Daughters

Daughters
George Best cover

George Best

The Wedding Present