David Thomas & Two Pale Boys
Surf's Up! (Thirsty Ear)
Reviewed by Holly Day

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Fronted by Pere Ubu's David Thomas, with Keith Moliné on guitar and Andy Diagram on trumpet, is a collection of free jazz folk music, or dance electronica spoken word, or something, with a sound that could have come from both the early '70s or all the way into next year. Harsh guitar drubbing is coupled with accordions and/or banjos, while Thomas lectures on, like a self-help guru on a subliminal sleep tape, about driving along lonely country roads, his soothing voice punctuated by train whistles and changing time signatures, or crooning quietly out-of-key like a drunk English nanny. Definitely one of the more accessible side projects Thomas' has been involved in lately, and definitely one of the best.

© 2001 - Holly Day