Archers of Loaf: All the Nations Airports
1996
Elektra Records
Format I Own it On: Vinyl and Compact Disc
Track Listing: 1. Strangled by the Stereo Wire 2. All the Nations Airports 3.Scenic Pastures 4. Worst Defense 5. Attack of the Killer Bees 6. Rental Sting 7. Assassination on X-Mas Eve 8. Chumming the Ocean 9. Vocal Shrapnel 10. Bones of Her Hands 11. Bumpo 12. Form and File 13. Acromegaly 14. Distance Comes in Droves 15. Bombs Away
Now, this is how you do a major label debut! The ambition is off the chart and the cleaned up sound gives them a depth that you didn't even realize was previously lacking.
This plays like some sort of loose concept album, with its repeated themes of terrorism, airports, assassinations, police and detectives, but I'm not sure exactly what's going on. These guys aren't known for their legibility, still, it nails a distinct, addictive dark mood, while remaining memorable and melodic.
The songs are all strung together into a loose suite; The guitars crackle and buzz to life on "Strangled By the Stereo Wire" which spirals out of control into "All the Nations Airports" and so on... There's a few breaks and some awesome instrumentals, particularly the blinking charm of "Acromegaly."
If nothing else, at least check out the desolate piano ballad Chumming the Ocean," which features extremely vivid oceanic imagery, yet I can't quite pinpoint what it's getting at...On the surface it appears to be about a diver about to be eaten by a damn shark, yet it also seems to hint at something bigger and more universal than that...I don't know. Yet I feel every moment of it... I guess you might as well let it play through the next couple of songs too, since "Vocal Shrapnel" and "Bones of Her Hands" are two of the bands most careening, slamming and catchy rockers yet...
(Above, 2012 reissue Cover. Either cover works fine for me, honestly...)
So, yea...One of my personal favorite albums from the 90's. The replay value of this thing is off the charts...I probably played this album just about everyday from 1996 to 1999...It brings back fond memories of my late high school/early college days and the endless hours blown playing Sega and listening to this CD... Who knows, maybe I'll dig out the Sega tonight too...
Who's down for some Mr. Bones?
While we're playing Mr. Bones, let's listen to "Chumming the Ocean," by the Archers of Loaf...Enjoy...
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