Miscellaneous - Commercial Album
by Anthony Strutt
published: 5 / 1 / 2005
intro
When the Residents 'Commercial Album' came out in 1980, it featured 40 one minute tracks. Anthony Strutt finds the DVD, which has been released to coincide with the album's reissue, to be a fine visual assistant to the album
The Residents 'Commercial Album' DVD is a fine visual assistant to the album of the same name. Whereas the album, which came out in 1980 and which has recently been reissued has 40 one minute tracks, the DVD has 56 one minute videos. These mini films are pretty much what I expected really, and are largely wacky in a surreal Monty Python sort of fashion. Some are sc-fi ish in a 50's way, while others are real life filmed actionettes. There is also the occasional film of the four-piece the Residents, who always unnamed and unknown, dress in evening suits and eyeball heads. The films, which are all of TV advert length, work better than the tracks as one minute of music isn't really enough time to develop ideas to full blossom. The majority, mainly shot pre MTV to accompany the album, are, however, very much ahead of their time. With an extra 10 movies of new shorts by the band, this makes an enjoyable 56 minutes. .
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeySimon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
Flaming Stars - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPPrisoners - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Allan Clarke - Interview
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
Jimmy Nail - Interview
Jonny Fluffypunk - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Bluebells - Interview with Ken McCluskey
Sam Brown - Interview 2008
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Inutili - A Love Supreme
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart