The Mole Show Live in Holland
64 min · 20 tracks
A surreal blend of avant-garde soundscapes and theatrical narration, reflecting the bizarre essence of The Residents' artistic vision.
Top tracks — play these first
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Voices of the Air Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Migration — This lengthy track captures the essence of the album with its immersive soundscapes that evoke a sense of journey and transformation.
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God of Darkness — Here, the band juxtaposes eerie vocals with unsettling instrumentation, creating a haunting atmosphere that exemplifies their signature style.
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Final Confrontation — The climactic nature of this piece reflects the culmination of the thematic elements present throughout the show, delivering a powerful resolution.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The blend of narrative and music creates a unique performance art experience, though its cohesion suffers from frequent interruptions.
What we noticed
- The album features extensive narration interspersed with musical segments, creating a theatrical experience rather than a traditional concert.
- Several tracks are dedicated solely to narration, breaking the flow of music and emphasizing storytelling.
- The soundscapes vary significantly between tracks, with some employing dissonant tones while others use melodic elements, reflecting an avant-garde approach.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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
- dynamic journey with narrative interludes
- immersive live performance atmosphere
- wave-like pacing with contrasts
- theatrical storytelling through sound
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward song structures
- seek instant gratification in music
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked a significant moment in The Residents' career, showcasing their innovative approach.
- Themes
- theatrical surrealism· immersive soundscapes· underground performance art
- Career context
- Released in 1982, The Mole Show Live in Holland was a crucial moment for The Residents, following their experimental album Eskimo. This live performance encapsulated their unique blend of multimedia art and music, showcasing their shift towards more theatrical presentations and expanding their cult status in the underground scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Captain Beefheart· Frank Zappa· Devo
Tracklist
- 1 Voices of the Air Start here 3:05
- 2 The Secret Seed 1:59
- 3 Narration 1:39
- 4 The Ultimate Disaster 5:17
- 5 Narration 0:56
- 6 God of Darkness 2:33
- 7 Narration 1:12
- 8 Migration 7:49
- 9 Narration 0:45
- 10 Smack Your Lips 3:52
- 11 Narration 1:09
- 12 Another Land 4:24
- 13 Narration 0:56
- 14 The New Machine 6:54
- 15 Narration 1:07
- 16 Call of the Wild 3:20
- 17 Final Confrontation 7:37
- 18 Narration 2:00
- 19 Satisfaction 2:53
- 20 Happy Home 4:26
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Burnt Weeny Sandwich
Frank Zappa
Combines avant-garde compositions with theatrical elements and surreal humor.
Diamond Dogs
David Bowie
Explores dystopian themes through a theatrical lens with eclectic soundscapes.
Trout Mask Replica
Captain Beefheart
Offers a similar blend of surrealism and experimental music, emphasizing artistic performance.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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