What the hell is this? Forget the Michael Jackson album of the same name; this Thriller — violently birthed by the discordant heavy-rock outfit Gorch Fock — stands as the antithesis of what spawned half of Jackson's greatest hits. And I'm sure that's exactly what these seven Texas maniacs had in mind. With two drummers, four vocalists, a trombone player and a "noise" specialist, Gorch Fock takes its name from a 19th century German naval training vessel and isn't afraid to experiment with quirky electronics, layered arrangements, modulated vocals, dense polyrhythms and explosive blasts of unadulterated clanging. This is refined chaos of the most demented nature. Yet, somehow, shards of pop-rock melodies poke their way through the sonic debris, most notably on the chugging, strangely titled "Patience for the Swede" and the uncharacteristically lengthy "The River." Thriller won't thrill everyone — heck, I'm not even completely convinced yet — but it's nevertheless an exercise in intensity that all adventurous music fans should be required to experience at least once.
Track Listing:
1) Executive 3000
2) Megumi Miyazato
3) Owl Perkins
4) One of 5 Sisters
5) Fitzcarroldo
6) Patience for the Swede
7) Youth At Risk
8) Sink Star
9) Mary Had A Little Drug Problem
10) Cary Micahel Jackson
11) Bourbon Country
12) Randall J. "Biscuit" Turner (Country Gentleman)
13) Running Out of Gas in Prairieview Parish
14) The River
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