Skinny Puppy - Rabies - 1989

Whenever I feel dark and moody and angry...  I always drift back to the Puppies (and Ministry) so I can marinate in my misery.  This music makes my skin crawl and gives me the creeps.  I don't know how the guys can make music like this, without having some sort of mental instability.  I know it's intentionally created to be dark like this, but sometimes, you just have to wonder.

As I've posted previously, I discovered SP when they released Vivisect VI and I heard it in the record store.  I was instantly drawn to it.  When they released this one, I didn't even bother to buy it on cassette, first.  I went straight for CD.  I knew it was worth it.  Plus, the CD had two extra bonus tracks, nice.  And the cover was (and still is) a masterpiece.

When you listen to this album, please PLEASE don't make any judgement calls on it before you finish it.  I say this because, if you are like me, you won't make it beyond the first two tracks.  They suck (IMO).  But, once you hit Two Time Grime, it creeps up on you and kicks you right in the ass.  Fascist Jock Itch pounds and pounds and pounds away.  Literally.  And. it. is. awesome!  The singles Warlock and Tin Omen are stellar, but all of the rest of the tracks are equally spectacular. The actual closing of the original album is Choralone, and it's like a living nightmare.

oh what fun

Nivek Ogre (Kevin Ogilvie) has often said that his favorite SP song is Warlock.  I will agree that it is the best one on the album, and probably in my top 10 SP songs...  I don't know about it being the best.  But, it really has a lot of heart in it and it's very cathartic.  Surprising, considering it's a SP song.  I also prefer the alternate version of Tin Omen to the original.  But, you be the judge.

I think what makes this album so especially good is that with Al Jourgenson as a guest artist/writer/producer/mixer/engineer, we had something of a blending of the Ministry flavors into the Puppy mix.  Double Darkness, as it would be.

Unfortunately, this is the last SP with a Steven R Gilmore cover.  I still think he was essential Puppy, but, things move on.

As for my version, I pulled Spahn Dirge off the original album and added the only actual b-side that wasn't on the original disc, Brak Talk.  Then, I threw the three remixes on the end.

I then took all of the additional Puppy material (mostly Ogre/Ogilvie) and added it on as a bonus disc, along with the track I "amputated" ;) from the original disc, Spahn Dirge.  This bonus disc is very experimental, and can be difficult to listen to if you are not in the right mood.  It takes a special kind of person, usually one covered in slime from under a rock or rotted log, to listen to and enjoy the material on this disc.  That happens to be me.

Skinny Puppy - Rabies - 1989

Skinny Puppy - Bonus Material - 1989-90

Skinny Puppy - VIVIsect VI - 1988

Skinny Puppy's VIVIsect VI was the very first Industrial album I ever purchased.  I remember walking into Twister's Records in  East Park Mall next to the food court, and the blond-headed punk running the counter was playing it.  I was fascinated by it.  I had never heard music like it before, and it was GREAT.  It reflected the mood I had then, having moved from Chicago to a state buried in the middle of the US.  It was angry, dark, and a little scary.

It's surprising to listen to, when the two opening tracks actually sound like they have pop hooks in them,  they were actually catchy sounding.  They opened the album strong, and followed it with Harsh Stone White, an incredible ballad.  They sample Evil Dead II in Who's Laughing Now? and the second single, Testure follows it with another somewhat radio friendly sound.  I even heard it on the college station in town, so it couldn't be that bad.  State Aid and Fritter are my two favorite tracks on "Side 2", though.  State Aid is a constant slamming barrage of rhythm and screaming, while Fritter is a horror movie soundtrack.  Tasty.

I have all the b-sides here, they're pretty abstract, but still interesting.  I added the mix of Dogshit, entitled Censor, but I was unable to fit any of the Testure mixes, which makes me a little disappointed.  I may add a disc later of SP mixes from several albums, because they're all in that shape.

The cover's the same, cuz it's beautiful.  Another Gilmore classic!  I do like the cover of Testure, too, so maybe if I make that remix disc, I'll use that one.  Anyway....

Skinny Puppy - VIVIsect VI - 1988

Skinny Puppy - Remission - 1984

Caberet Voltaire, Throbbing Gristle, Wire, SPK, Chris & Cosey, Severed Heads...  None of these Industrial acts can hold a candle to Skinny Puppy, in my honest opinion.  Yes, I may be biased, as my first exposure to Industrial music was through Skinny Puppy.  But if you look back in time at their progress and impact on the music industry, there was definite power and influence in the work they did.  Nivek Ogre's stage performances always pleased, as well as shocked and stunned.  Their style of music impacted directly the Alternative Industrial scene in the United States all  through the nineties.

I didn't do anything special with this album.  The cover is a barebones direct translation, nothing interesting other than a change of color.  The tracks are the same 11 tracks as the original CD issue, which is different than the vinyl release, but who cares.

The album is strong.  Smothered Hope, Ice Breaker and Sleeping Beast stand out and grab you.  And when it's all done, you'll be able to feel your soul pull the covers tighter, and roll over to sleep...

Skinny Puppy - Remission - 1984