Released 30 years ago
Have a Bad Day
The Residents · 1996
48 min · 12 tracks
A surreal blend of avant-garde pop and experimental soundscapes evokes a darkly humorous exploration of everyday absurdities.
Top tracks — play these first
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Bad Day on the Midway Start here — The opening track sets the tone with its quick tempo and ironic lyrics, immediately immersing listeners into the album's theme of chaos and misfortune.
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Tears of the Taxman — This track stands out for its haunting melody and reflective lyrics that critique societal burdens, embodying the album's underlying commentary on modern life.
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Ugly Liberation — With its darker undertones and unsettling rhythms, this track captures the album's exploration of personal and societal failures while challenging listeners’ perceptions.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- surreal narratives with dark humor
- steady pacing with eclectic peaks
- quirky tales for curious minds
- absurdist themes with playful irony
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward storytelling
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Features a surreal sound blending avant-garde pop with thematic absurdity.
- Themes
- everyday absurdities· societal critique· chaotic misfortune
- Career context
- By the time 'Have a Bad Day' was released in 1996, The Residents were already established as avant-garde pioneers with a cult following. This album followed their ambitious project 'The Mole Show,' showcasing their continued evolution in sound and conceptual storytelling.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Captain Beefheart· Frank Zappa· Devo
Tracklist
- 1 Bad Day on the Midway Start here 1:56
- 2 Dagmar, the Dog Woman 3:31
- 3 I Ain’t Seen No Rats 3:30
- 4 Tears of the Taxman 2:50
- 5 God’s Teardrops 5:14
- 6 The Seven Tattoos 3:17
- 7 The Marvels of Mayhem 3:38
- 8 Lottie the Human Log 4:38
- 9 Ugly Liberation 6:15
- 10 Daddy’s Poems 6:16
- 11 The Red Head of Death 3:48
- 12 Timmy 3:07
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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