Is Intermission: Extraneous Music from the Residents' Mole Show a good place to start with The Residents?

Yes, Intermission: Extraneous Music from the Residents' Mole Show is recommended as a starting point for new The Residents listeners. Experimental soundscapes merge with theatrical narratives, creating an immersive sonic interlude that defies conventional musical structures. Released in 1982, this album serves as a companion piece to The Residents' theatrical production, 'Mole Show', showcasing their avant-garde approach during their peak creative phase. At this point, they had already established themselves as pioneers of art rock with earlier works like 'Eskimo' and 'The Commercial Album'.

How many songs are on Intermission: Extraneous Music from the Residents' Mole Show?

Intermission: Extraneous Music from the Residents' Mole Show has 5 tracks, running approximately 25 minutes.

Intermission: Extraneous Music from the Residents' Mole Show

The Residents · 1982

25 min · 5 tracks

Experimental soundscapes merge with theatrical narratives, creating an immersive sonic interlude that defies conventional musical structures.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Shorty’s Lament (Intermission) — This track stands out for its blend of spoken word and haunting melodies, encapsulating the show's themes of existential reflection and absurdity.
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Lights Out (Prelude) Start here — Opening with atmospheric tones, it sets a darkly whimsical tone for the album, effectively drawing listeners into The Residents' surreal world.
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Would We Be Alive (Intermission) — This song features introspective lyrics paired with a driving rhythm, exploring themes of mortality and existence within the context of the show.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

The album's experimental nature and unique format create an immersive experience that stands out in the avant-garde scene.

What we noticed

The first track is a spoken word piece that sets a dark, atmospheric tone, followed by tracks that blend narrative with abstract soundscapes.
Each track features unconventional structures, often eschewing traditional verse-chorus formats in favor of freeform exploration.
The EP's running time is just over 20 minutes, creating a concise yet immersive experience that encourages focused listening.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

theatrical narratives with surreal twists
gradual build to unexpected resolutions
immersive journey through eclectic soundscapes
for focused listening sessions

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer straightforward song structures

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — Departs from conventional structures, showcasing avant-garde elements in their catalog.
Themes: theatrical absurdity· surreal soundscapes
Career context: Released in 1982, this album serves as a companion piece to The Residents' theatrical production, 'Mole Show', showcasing their avant-garde approach during their peak creative phase. At this point, they had already established themselves as pioneers of art rock with earlier works like 'Eskimo' and 'The Commercial Album'.
Stylistic neighbors: Captain Beefheart· Frank Zappa· Devo