Meet The Residents

Formed in the early 1970s, The Residents have been charting a unique path through the musical landscape for over 45 years. From far-out, experimental recordings to highly conceptual, innovative multi-platform projects, the band has refused to stand still, and continues to move in several different directions at once. Produced with the involvement of The Cryptic Corporation, and with full access to the band’s extensive tape archive, this package explores and expands the classic debut album and related 1972-1973 material. Including both mono and stereo mixes of “Meet The Residents”, the ‘Santa Dog’ EP, alternate versions of classic album tracks and other long-lost unreleased material, this is The Residents as we’ve always wanted to hear them. Remastered, expanded, and pREServed for future generations – this is the first in a series of archival Residents reissues that will continue throughout 2018 and beyond.

This transitional album for the group may not be one of their best, but makes up for it in historical importance. The self-created myth has that the album was intended to be the first three-sided release, what probably transpired was that the group had more songs than could be fit on a vinyl LP, so a few years later the remaining tracks were released as the Babyfingers EP. Both EP and LP tracks are on the CD reissue, however. Fingerprince is one side of songs, a melding of their earlier, primitive side (their old piano, heard so well on Meet the Residents, is still in service here) with their sinister pop side that would be perfected on Duck Stab and The Commercial Album (including their treated, cheap-sounding drum machines). Side two is a ballet cycle, entitled "Six Things to a Cycle," an attempt at faux-ethno-primitivism (heavily rhythmic, repetitious) that would prefigure their work in Eskimo and Mark of the Mole…

This transitional album for the group may not be one of their best, but makes up for it in historical importance. The self-created myth has that the album was intended to be the first three-sided release, what probably transpired was that the group had more songs than could be fit on a vinyl LP, so a few years later the remaining tracks were released as the Babyfingers EP. Both EP and LP tracks are on the CD reissue, however. Fingerprince is one side of songs, a melding of their earlier, primitive side (their old piano, heard so well on Meet the Residents, is still in service here) with their sinister pop side that would be perfected on Duck Stab and The Commercial Album (including their treated, cheap-sounding drum machines). Side two is a ballet cycle, entitled "Six Things to a Cycle," an attempt at faux-ethno-primitivism (heavily rhythmic, repetitious) that would prefigure their work in Eskimo and Mark of the Mole…

The Residents, long known as the world’s most mysterious and reclusive band, announce a new chapter in their lengthy and legendary career – not just a new album but a completely new concept: I AM A RESIDENT!