Released later in 1978, Dub Housing begins Pere Ubu’s descent into the “art” of rock. “Navvy” is the closest Ubu gets to traditional rock with another groovy riff by Tom Herman, but it quick to be upended by Thomas’s abject lyrics and a lovely Ubu inane chorus; the only other track that could be confused with traditional pop rock is “I Will Wait”. “On the Surface” and “Drinking Wind Spodyody” are two goofy takes on the anxious modern dance. “Dub Housing” is a brightened version of “Sentimental Journey” and the security in basic shelter. Thomas’s voice reverberates through the walls and wails of pain of a blank generation. “Caligari’s Mirror” mixes the famous silent horror film with the famous sea shanty “Drunken Sailor” in wonderful Ubu form of walking and a rave-up that is more infectious in Thomas’s ramblings than in the actual bacchanal. “Ubu Dance Party” adds another masterpiece dance to Ubu’s repertoire. “Thriller!”, “Blow Daddy-O”, and “Codex” point to the direction that Ubu would take in their next few albums. “Thriller!” and “Blow Daddy-O” are dark avant-garde explorations with the rock format, and “Codex” is the dark romanticism like “My Dark Ages”.
Comments