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THE REVIEW
In the history of rock, the Residents from San Francisco have perhaps been the most "independent" group ever. Certainly, they have been the most obscure, to the extent of constructing with this term a real "theory." No one has ever known the faces of these gentlemen, masked as they were by gigantic eyeballs, and no one has ever managed to completely understand the meaning of their creations.
Indeed, because the music of the Residents is truly undefinable. Perhaps because they were not very interested in being identified in a specific movement, as they "utilized" music to deeply explore the human condition. That's why their "sound" is a collage of practically infinite references, made of effects, treated voices, all to reach their true goal. The lyrics are cryptic (and it could not have been otherwise) but essential, because their "work" must be followed without a moment's respite in its lacerating incommunicability, in its remote and fascinating mystery.
The album in question was recorded in 1974 but for unknown reasons was not released and was therefore "not available." It was put on the market only in '78. It is very difficult to find, but it is worth it, considering it represents the artistic pinnacle of their career (and in my humble opinion one of the top three records in rock history, including the cover art).
Describing the record in detail throughout its development would require space at least four times more than what I have available, and it still would not do justice to its greatness.
The atmosphere felt in its thirty-five minutes is that of a cosmic tragedy, it's like being led to see a world no longer populated by men but only by their souls. These souls converse with each other in a confused, obscure manner, accompanied by very deep sound representations, in a Dantean hell-like atmosphere. The various characters that populate this underground of existence are grotesque in their voice, (achieved through effects, a recurring technique in the Residents) they seem almost brutalized by the experience of cosmic pain, which we humans cannot, do not know, and do not want to live because we are cloaked in our being human. These souls wander in search of a peace that does not exist, forced to dialogue with their conscience because they are still authentic, forced to reckon with their nature.
Of this universal procession, the Residents give us a masterful interpretation, providing us with Not Available as well as a record, also a book of philosophy.
You, be "available" to welcome it into your mind.
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Summary by Bot
The Residents' 'Not Available' is a 1978 release of a previously unreleased 1974 album that represents a peak in the band's enigmatic career. Known for their anonymity and avant-garde style, the album creates a cosmic and tragic atmosphere reflecting on the human soul. It combines cryptic lyrics with deep sound effects to explore existential themes. A challenging but rewarding masterpiece regarded as one of rock's top records.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
05 Epilogue (02:30)
All the stories on this recording are expressed in the past tense,This is because the Eskimo, particularly the Polar Eskimo on which this album is based, was "rescued" from its "miserable" life style by welfare in the late sixties. The Polar Eskimo has been relocated entirely into government housing, and now spends most of the day watching reruns on TV.
ESKIMO IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED TO N. SENADA WHO STARTED THE WHOLE THING
The Residents
The Residents are an American avant-garde/experimental music group known for anonymity (often associated with eyeball masks), a self-mythologized “Theory of Obscurity,” and deconstructive parodies of popular music and American culture through sound collage and treated voices.16 Reviews
Other reviews
By Rooftrampler92
The greatest fear is of the unknown.
The album is a kind of life cycle in which a human grows, lives, gets emotional, sometimes rejoices, sometimes despairs, then ages and finally dies.
By Battlegods
The Residents present themselves as apocalyptic prophets of the present and the future.
Not Available... has been defined as a true phonetic experiment.
