Review Summary: While breaking no new ground, and not even making half-way good music, Dr. Acula manage to entertain with this re-release of their first two records, "Chillogy" and "Silver Lipped Operator Of Bullshit."
Dr. Acula is often reviled around here on Sputnik. And i know i'm going to be flamed for this score, but screw it, I LIKE THEM. They're unoriginal, stupid, bad musicians, and the vocals are ghastly. They play the simple rehashed grind formula we've seen a million times before and whenever Barney Greenway listens to this, i'm pretty sure he contemplates suicide. Plus, they use a lot of pig squeals. PLUS, they use synths to add a gimmicky "dance" vibe. Whats to like?
A lot. Everything they do that is unoriginal and uninspired they do in a campy and enjoyable way.
This LP is a re-release of their first two releases, Chillogy and Silver Lipped Operator Of Bull***. It features old vocalist Bert and is remastered for your listening pleasure, or pain depending on your view.
The first part of the CD is Silver Lipped Operator Of Bull*** (here-forth called SLOB) and is probably DA's most enjoyable compilation available. It might not display the best talent music-wise, but listen to the opener "Party" after a few drinks and tell me its not fun. "The Cuckoo Clock of Doom" follows and is the embodiment of why everyone loves/hates DA. It features simplistic driving guitar, pig-squeals galore, and Dane Cook. What more can you need? The next song is "Night Of The Living Dummy," and is driven by a generic synth intro. Nothing to write home about.
The track "Monster Blood" is a personal favorite of mine, and it the most technical you'll ever see DA get, and features samples from the movie "Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy. Not only does this track pay homage to an amazing movie, but the samples are so perfectly implemented that you cant help but smirk the first time you hear it. The pigs squeals rule this song, so if they bother you, sorry.
The last handful of tracks don't really have too much to be said about them other than that they're what you'd expect from the first half of the record. The only other real standout track is "Shocker On Shock Street," with its insightful lyrics "*** YOU *** YOU!" and crunching guitar.
The last 6 tracks are where DA began, the Chillogy demos. They are all songs featured on SLOB, with the exception of the Intro track, "Vampire Breath," which is opened up by the legendary Mitch Hedburg, and "Horror At Camp Jellyjam." The songs are produced terribly and the vocals will frustrate anyone who hates high pitched screaming and pig squeals. Its inclusion is basically fan service, as it shows what DA evolved out of.
So for all the hate I'm going to get, bring it on. I like this album, and anyone who enjoys spazzy, stupid grind music with dumbed-down instrumentation and so-bad-they're-good vocals should too.
And... this is infinitely better than that ***-storm Below Me.
Listening Tip- To enjoy as much as it can be enjoyed, listen to while heavily inebriated.
