Wormwood: Curious Stories from the Bible cover

Wormwood: Curious Stories from the Bible

The Residents · 1998

64 min · 20 tracks

A surreal blend of avant-garde rock and theatrical storytelling, exploring biblical narratives with dark humor and unsettling soundscapes.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    In the Beginning Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
  • →
    How to Get a Head — This track stands out for its satirical take on ambition and identity, encapsulating the album's exploration of moral dilemmas through quirky instrumentation.
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    Cain and Abel — The song creatively interprets the well-known biblical story with dark humor, using contrasting musical elements to highlight themes of jealousy and violence.
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    I Hate Heaven — This track offers a poignant critique of religious dogma, featuring haunting melodies that underscore its rebellious stance against traditional beliefs.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

63 /100
Treeline
Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album's unique storytelling and avant-garde sound make it a standout work in The Residents' discography.

What we noticed

  • The album features a narrative structure, with each track representing a different biblical story or theme.
  • Many tracks incorporate unconventional instrumentation and sound effects, creating an unsettling atmosphere that complements the lyrical content.
  • Several songs utilize spoken word elements alongside singing, blurring the lines between narration and performance.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
9/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

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

  • surreal narratives with unsettling twists
  • wave-like pacing encourages reflection
  • short tracks for quick engagement
  • themes of dark curiosity abound
  • varied peaks for dynamic interest

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer straightforward, linear storytelling
  • seek immediate gratification in music

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Critical Peak — Ambitious concept album that received critical acclaim and showcased their artistic evolution.
Themes
biblical satire· dark humor· religious critique
Career context
Released in 1998, Wormwood: Curious Stories from the Bible marked a pivotal moment in The Residents' career as it was their first full-length album after a five-year hiatus. This concept album demonstrated their continued evolution as experimental artists, diving into religious themes while maintaining their signature enigmatic style.
Stylistic neighbors
Captain Beefheart· Frank Zappa· Devo
New to The Residents? Find your way in →

Tracklist

  • 1 In the Beginning Start here 2:56
  • 2 Fire Fall 3:37
  • 3 They Are the Meat 2:44
  • 4 Melancholy Clumps 1:46
  • 5 How to Get a Head 4:10
  • 6 Cain and Abel 3:40
  • 7 Mr. Misery 2:23
  • 8 Tent Peg in the Temple 2:58
  • 9 God’s Magic Finger 2:52
  • 10 Spilling the Seed 2:49
  • 11 Dinah and the Unclean Skin 3:17
  • 12 Bathsheba Bathes 2:55
  • 13 Bridegroom of Blood 5:02
  • 14 Hanging by His Hair 2:39
  • 15 The Seven Ugly Cows 2:39
  • 16 Burn Baby Burn 3:04
  • 17 KILL HIM! 2:43
  • 18 I Hate Heaven 2:54
  • 19 Judas Saves 4:00
  • 20 Revelation 5:37

What to play next

Refused
Listen next

Refused

1999

Continues the dark themes and experimental sound with new narratives.
Residue Deux
Go back to

Residue Deux

1998

Precedes 'Wormwood' with similar avant-garde elements and storytelling.
Full The Residents discography Where to start with The Residents Artists like The Residents

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

The Life of the World to Come

The Life of the World to Come

The Mountain Goats

Explores biblical themes with narrative depth and dark humor in an intimate, lo-fi style.

Outside

Outside

David Bowie

Shares a theatrical storytelling approach and unsettling soundscapes with a surreal twist.

The Seer

The Seer

Swans

Combines dark, immersive atmospheres with complex themes, creating a haunting listening experience.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata