the Residents: Band's latest release: Blank discs

NEW YORK (Billboard) – Cult band the Residents and the Cordless e-label have teamed up to create something that is either a unique multimedia experience that will link the physical, digital and mobile worlds – or is just plain wacky.

On June 13, Cordless issued the Residents' "River of Crime" – a 1940s-style radio serial with a band-composed musical score – in a cardboard double-CD package with artwork that reinforces the band's trademark eyeball, all for $14.99.

The catch? It contains two blank CDs so that the five episodes, which will be released sequentially during a 10-week period, can be burned after the last one becomes available. A unique code for each package allows users to unlock the subscription at riverofcrime.comexternal link.

from CNN.com

Yeah, I read that too. But I ain't gonna bite. The Residents stuff after about 1996 sucks ass. It has become more "High Concept" and less musically absurdist. Actually I think there's only one original Resident left in the band nowadays. And I can say all of this safely, as I'm a huge Residents fan…got most of their earlier catalog!

Fortunately, among the LPs that survived various purges are my copies of Whatever Happened to Vileness Fats and Duck Stab. I keep thinking I should try and sell them to some collector, because George from Vinyl Ink said years ago that they'd fetch hundreds from the right person.

relaxer, you won't get that much for duck stab. that's one of my favorites, and i got it on LP used in the '90s for $5. i see it around occasionally, usually going for $10-$20.

i thought wormwood (1999) was pretty good, with an excellent tour backing it. demons dance alone was alright; saw that tour at the state theatre in 2002. their best years may be behind them, but the residents are still good.

Originally posted by snailhook:
relaxer, you won't get that much for duck stab.

Damn, well, good to know I can't count on that. Fortunately I've got a couple other rarities I can cash in for a weekend in Vegas.

Originally posted by snailhook:
i thought wormwood (1999) was pretty good, with an excellent tour backing it. demons dance alone was alright; saw that tour at the state theatre in 2002.

They might have been good tours, but as albums they don't hold up too well compared to their primo stuff. I was rather disappointed in Wormwood, the album.

agreed…the wormwood tour was much better than the accompanying album. i enjoyed the demons dance alone live show enough, but the record was forgettable. they have enough brilliant records that i can forgive them!