Mother Skinny
Circus Devils · 2010
37 min · 20 tracks · alternative rock
A chaotic blend of lo-fi punk energy and surreal storytelling, painting a vivid landscape of oddball characters and scenarios.
Top tracks — play these first
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Sub Rat — The opening track sets the tone with frenetic rhythms and bizarre lyrics, establishing the album's surreal atmosphere. Its brevity encapsulates the raw energy that defines much of Circus Devils' work.
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A Living Necklace of Warts — This track exemplifies the band's knack for combining dark humor with catchy hooks, creating a memorable yet unsettling listening experience. The juxtaposition of playful melodies with grotesque imagery highlights their distinctive style.
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Mother Skinny — As the title track, it serves as a central piece that weaves together themes presented throughout the album, showcasing Pollard's lyrical prowess and the band's ability to create evocative soundscapes.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- fragmented bursts of energy
- short tracks for quick sessions
- playful irreverence with surrealism
- headphone detail hunting throughout
- late-night exploration of chaos
Maybe skip if you
- preferences for lengthy pieces
- seeking polished, structured sound
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time Circus Devils released Mother Skinny in 2010, they were well into their artistic journey, marking it as their fifth studio album. The band, comprised of Robert Pollard and Todd Tobias, continued to explore unconventional sounds and narratives following their previous release, Ataxia. This album further solidified their commitment to experimental rock amidst Pollard's extensive catalog.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Residents· Captain Beefheart· Frank Zappa
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Get on It
The verse presents an unexpected shift in perspective that challenges conventional narrative forms within the song.
This structural choice invites listeners to engage more deeply with the lyrics, as it contrasts sharply with earlier verses and adds complexity to the narrative.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Sub Rat 1:45
- 2 Lurking 1:23
- 3 Wolf Man Chords 1:49
- 4 Hard Art (Hard All Day) 2:01
- 5 Get on It 1:58
- 6 His Troops Are Loyal 1:49
- 7 Kingdom of Korea 2:07
- 8 Bam Bam Bam 2:03
- 9 Germ Circus 1:49
- 10 8 Legs to Love You 1:48
- 11 17 Days on the Pole 2:04
- 12 Freezer Burn 1:19
- 13 We Don’t Need to Know Who You Are 0:55
- 14 A Living Necklace of Warts 2:16
- 15 The New Nostalgia 1:06
- 16 The Cave of Disappearing Men 0:40
- 17 Mother Skinny 2:57
- 18 All the Good Ones Are Gone 3:17
- 19 Pledge 2:53
- 20 Shut Up 1:09
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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