Baby Ray: 4 songs
Noise Magazine, January, 1997
Audiodoodahday: Butch and Brenda
Five stars (excellent)
The first thing you notice on this tape is the superb production by Pete Weiss at Zippah (I'll take my payoff in cash, Pete). The opening track, "Ice Cream Man," is probably the best, what with its imaginative use of effects and intriguing melodic twists and turns, reminiscent of Elvis Costello circa King of America. "Open Season," though weaker, is studded with all sorts of irresistible touches, like avant organ-squiggles not heard hereabouts since The Girls' Reunion LP, as well as a vocal melody underscored by what sounds like a bass drone spillover. The astonishing "Big Sun's a-Comin'," with its skillfully applied multitracked repetitiveness, is a brave experiment, also tried by Yes on "We Have Heaven" and more recently by Husker Du on Zen Arcade's "The Princess and the Tooth Fairy." This is a demo that's smart enough to wow 'em in the jaded UK. The best local debut since Galaxie 500. If you like XTC you'll love this, My pick for tape of the month for January.