ANTiSEEN--Thee From Parts Unknown EP
Scarey Records 2004
Released shortly before their most recent album Badwill Ambassadors, Thee From Parts Unknown EP provided sods everywhere an advance opportunity to guage how the new ANTiSEEN full-length had turned out. Needless to say, one spin of this four song gem was enough to assuage any fears the Brutalsville boys might be having difficulties shaking off studio rust after a long recorded layoff. More than just an album teaser, this platter offers tracks you won't find anywhere else that you'd regret not getting to lay ears on.
Side-A serves up all the exclusive-to-this-release material. Kicking things off is "Dumps & Dives," a fitting intro as it sees ANTiSEEN with fangs exposed and claws drawn, pissed off like folks who've had the exhaust of a meth lab creep into their water supply. "Mad, Bad & Dangerous To Know" bookends this first side, proving the highlight of the entire disc. One of the most dynamic songs the band have ever produced, the spare and practically guitar-free verses evoke a vibe not unlike the more sinster end of rockabilly or country & western.
The B side is where you get your taste of what Badwill Ambassadors is all about, via an alternate mix of "From Parts Unknown." This blazer is ANTiSEEN's ode to masked grapplers and it has a very cool twist mixed in--near midsong, the music drops out briefly while Kelly Canipe, wife of bassist Doug, starts reciting the chorus over finger snaps. This little trick feels like something being beamed from a 1930's tap dace revue act--not something you'd expect to find in the song, but like most of the out-of-left-field stuff ANTiSEEN pulled during their Here To Ruin Your Groove era, it inexplicably works. Closing this EP is a live rendition of "Watch The Bastard Fry" culled from the band's 20th anniversary show--it'll make you whip out your DVD of that gala in a heartbeat, or score it if you don't already own a copy.
Some EPs like this are really diehard-only type affairs but Thee From Parts Unknown EP is a must for anyone even remotely into ANTiSEEN. The exclusive material is too good to miss out on and the teaser clips are sure to lure in folks not already adoring those releases' charms. A beautiful gatefold sleeve caps off this very impressive package. Go get it.
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