Hissing Prigs in Static Couture
Untitled | |
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
CMJ | positive[2] |
Pitchfork Media | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Sputnikmusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Tiny Mix Tapes | favorable[5] |
Treble Zine | favorable[6] |
Wondering Sound | positive[7] |
Hissing Prigs in Static Couture is the third album from the band Brainiac, released on March 26, 1996. It's the group's second release through Touch & Go Records, following the Internationale extended play that released the year prior. The album incorporates more electronics than previous Brainiac releases, and hints towards the more synth-based electropunk style that the band would later focus on for their next extended play, and final release before Tim Taylor's death in 1997, Electro-Shock for President.
Background and recording
According to an interview with Seconds Magazine, Tim Taylor stated that the band was very interested in writing a "futuristic pop" album of sorts: "the idea was to make pop music that sounded futuristic so it wouldn’t sound dated."[8] The band also incorporated a "70's fashion band" aesthetic around the time the album was in production, wearing gaudy outfits for their live performances.[9]
The album was predominately recorded at Water Music, Hoboken New Jersey with production and engineering duties done by Eli Janney, who also helped the band with their previous album Bonsai Superstar. "Nothing Ever Changes" is an exception, that track was produced and recorded by Steve Albini in his basement. The entire album was mixed at Oz Recording, Baltimore, Maryland. A music video for the track "Vincent Come on Down" was produce to promote the album.
Reception
Hissing Prigs in Static Couture received much acclaim from critics and fans and is considered as one of the band's best recordings alongside with Bonsai Superstar. In Magnet Magazine's article of the album, it is referred to as a "lost classic".[10] Derek Gullet of The Dirty Socialites considers the album as one of his favorites of all time.[11]
Pitchfork Media ranked this album #73 in their feature "Top 100 albums of the 1990s".[12] It was also included in their list of the 25 greatest albums released through Touch & Go Records.[13] NME included the album in a list composed of 5 albums with production by Steve Albini that they considered to be "essential", stating that they were "one of the most brain-bustingly unique [bands] the rock underground has ever seen".[14]
Track listing
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Indian Poker (Part 3)" | 0:51 |
2. | "Pussyfootin'" | 2:36 |
3. | "Vincent Come on Down" | 2:34 |
4. | "This Little Piggy" | 3:51 |
5. | "Strung" | 2:10 |
6. | "Hot Seat Can't Sit Down" | 3:10 |
7. | "The Vulgar Trade" | 1:44 |
8. | "Beekeeper's Maxin" | 2:53 |
9. | "Kiss Me, U Jacked Up Jerk" | 3:13 |
10. | "70 Kg Man" | 3:32 |
11. | "Indian Poker (Part 2)" | 0:45 |
12. | "Nothing Ever Changes" | 2:42 |
13. | "I Am a Cracked Machine" | 4:34 |
Total length: | 34:35 |
Personnel
Brainiac
- Tim Taylor - vocals, incidental
- John Schmersal - guitar
- John Monasterio - bass
- Tyler Trent - drums
Production
- Eli Janney - production, recording, engineering
- Steve Albini - recording, production ("Nothing Ever Changes")
- Jeff Gattens - assistance
- Mike Rippe - assistance
References
- ^ Egan, Brian. Hissing Prigs in Static Couture at AllMusic
- ^ Eliscu, Jenny. "Review Section". books.google.com. CMJ. Retrieved 1996.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ Pitchfork Media review
- ^ n/a. "Hissing Prigs in Static Couture". sputnikmusic.com. Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 2016-03-17.
- ^ Mahoney, Brandon. "Brainiac - Hissing Prigs for Static Couture". tinymixtapes.com. Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved 2009-09-03.
- ^ Terich, Jeff. "Brainiac : Hissing Prigs In Static Couture". treblezine.com. Treble Zine. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
- ^ Strickler, Yancy. "Brainiac, Hissing Prigs in Static Couture". wounderingsound.com. Wondering Sound.
- ^ Thrasher, Don. "Looking Back On Brainiac's Final LP". daytondailynews.com. Dayton Daily News. Retrieved 2016-11-06.
- ^ Aaron, Charles. "Leaders of the New Cool". books.google.com. SPIN Magazine. Retrieved 1996-06-01.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ n/a. "Lost Classics: Brainiac's Hissing Prigs in Static Couture". magnetmagazine.com. Magnet Magazine. Retrieved 2009-03-07.
- ^ Anderl, Timothy. "Bands On Bands: Derek Gullet (The Dirty Socialites) On Brainiac and Pink Floyd". ghettoblastermagazine.com. Ghetto Blaster Magazine. Retrieved 2013-01-29.
- ^ Pitchfork Staff. "Top 100 Albums of the 1990s". pitchfork.com. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2003-11-09.
- ^ Crock, Jason. "Touch & Go 25". pitchfork.com. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2006-09-06.
- ^ n/a. "From The Mixing Desk Of Steve Albini – 5 Essential Albums". nme.com. NME. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
External links
- Brainiac discography at MusicBrainz
- Hissing Prigs in Static Couture at MusicBrainz (list of releases)