Lydia Lunch's career since deep-sixing Teenage Jesus and
the Jerks has been an unpredictable path governed by boredom, sarcasm, romance,
perversity and whatever musicians or collaborators are convenient at the time. Memorable
mainly for its cover, Stinkfist (Lunch's first documented date with Clint Ruin)
is the primally percussive end result of a convoluted and protracted recording /
performance process. But even these two can't make this much noise without a
little help; guests include ex- Red-Hot Chili Pepper Cliff Martinez and ex-X
D.J. Bonebrake pounding on things. Although her world view hasn't changed,
Stinkfist could be the first joint effort Lunch doesn't dominate; most of the
EP's tracks are primarily instrumental, as Clint Ruin speeds things along with
a thunder-drum/noise guitar assault akin to his solo Foetus work. What actually
made it onto vinyl is the clattering all-but-instrumental title track (plus a
bonus-beats version, "Son of Stink") and the three-part
"Meltdown Oratorio," a Lunch recitation and sexy moaning session over
rhythmic Ruin-ous noise adventures. A party on the precipice of perdition. Lots
of noise and energy but nothing new, especially for the already Foetusized. The
Crumb EP is credited to Lunch, Thurston Moore and the Honeymoon in Red
Orchestra, which consists of Lunch, Moore, Thirlwell and Howard. It's not on
your local soft-rock station's playlist, nor is it perfect for the office.
Moore shares vocals, and the sound is a fairly predictable, semi-defined sonic
crunch.
