HOWLING BULL AMERICA
P.O. Box 40129
San Francisco, CA 94140-0129
Website: HOWLING BULL AMERICA WEBSITE
Vulgar Pigeons
“Genetic Predisposition” (17 tracks. 28:32).This music is insane and funny. One look at the album cover should be enough of a warning. Add to that song titles like “Pukeweed”, “UTI” (Urinary Track Infection), “E.T. in the Gutter” and so on, and you know you are in for something . . . uh . . . different. This CD is actually the combination of two 7” E.P.’s, an unreleased bonus track, and some live tracks from a radio show. All told, these 16 songs last for less than half-an-hour. Mercifully!
Actually, while I am not usually drawn to music of this sort, I find Vulgar Pigeons to be entertaining. Their brand of song lasts between 5 seconds and about 3 minutes. One is immediately reminded of Mortician and Vomitorial Corpulance—just to name two! Anyway, Vulgar Pigeons have some great riffs and it just seems a shame that the songs are so short. Without the comical image and song titles, this band could be a serious Black/Death Metal band because their music is chunky and the vocals are tortured. This is reinforced by the fact that since the recording of this material the Vulgar Pigeons have been signed to Necropolis Records’ sub label, Death Vomit Records. Were they to change their name to something evil and lengthen their songs, they might be competition for Usurper.
Spaceboy
“The Force that Holds Together a Heart Torn to Pieces” (4 tracks. 25:38).Contained herein are four tracks of truly bizarre, somewhat experimental—or just plain MENTAL—Metal. The artwork and lyrics are equally bizarre. The truth is, Spaceboy is a band which defies tight categorization. Are they a progressive metal band, or are they a noise metal band? Are they even a metal band? It seems to me that Spaceboy defies the use of the word “metal” in much the same way that fellow Bay Area band Neurosis do. They are definitely heavy. My first listen to this band was somewhat unsatisfying. A second listen helped me to get a grasp of what they are doing. Subsequent listenings have helped me to discern the structure and “intent” of the songs. In other words, Spaceboy is one of those groups that have to grow on you, kind of like Maudlin of the Well. While this group is certainly not for the masses, it seems clear to me that those interested in pushing the boundaries of conventional music may find the jazz influenced style of Spaceboy to be “up their alley”.