For Foetus fans who won't attempt to categorize his sound, this double-CD
EP release proves the validity of their refusal. The nearly radio-friendly
sludgery of "Verklemmt" and the spooky escapism of "Into The Light" represent
both ends of J.G. Thirlwell's musical spectrum. Herein are such masterpieces
as "Be Thankful," "Verklemmt" (Queef Mix), a remix of "Verklemmt" (the
Protecto Mix,which exudes the secret Techno/Trance influences that Thirlwell
has been harboring for so long), and "Butter," a raucous Rock & Roll
romp through Thirlwell's reduction of his own persona on to magnetic tape.
"Incesticide" harkens back to J.G.'s Wiseblood days with with massive drum
and bass pokes. Perhaps the skin-crawlingist of all Foetus tracks
is "See Dick Run", backed by twisted Romper Room nap-time tinklings
and talking-doll dialogue. Thirlwell describes his version of the
Dick And Jane children's book series, replete with Jane's brains
splattered on the kitchen wall. A left-over from the Gash
LP sessions, "Flux" features the Heresey Horns, Tod Ashley (Cop shoot Cop,
Firewater), Marc Ribot (Lounge Lizards, Tom Waits), and Vinnie Signorelli
(Unsane, Swans), and it looms large - detective music gorged with a brass
section. On the Blues-y "Friend Or Foe" (Unhugged Mix), Thirlwell
surprises everyone with help from Marcellus Hall (Railroad Jerk) on aching
harp. Also included in the set is "Iris Evergreen," a nine-and-a-half
minute dancefloor throb that only serves to further solidify Foetus as
being the obvious Electro-Industrial influence of choice.