Cul De Sac - Doldrums

(Nuf Sed, 1992)

Another Cul de Sac single rescued from the WERS dumpster (total airings listed on the enclosed log-sheet: zero), and again we’ve got ourselves a loopy amalgam of sounds and influences spread over two instrumentals. But while the guitars still play in that surf-derived style heard on “Sakhalin,” there’s a fine overriding dreaminess to “…His Teeth Got Lost in the Mattress…” thanks to the gauzy production and burbling electronics (which seem to be a nod to the 13th Floor Elevators’ electric jug). Flipping the script somewhat and making the disc a gotta-get, “Doldrums” is a roaring psych-out, Can’s hypnotizing rhythm section plus the Creation’s searing guitars – great great great! Comes packaged in a velour cardstock sleeve and is limited to 1,000, with 100 of those signed and numbered.

Cul De Sac - Sakhalin

(Shock, 1992)

An unusual pair o’ instrumentals from these technique-minded oddballs. “Sakhalin” has a surf/spy feel in the bass and guitars, but also features Kraut-y drums and dreamy waves of feedback – an interesting combo that the band pulls off quite nicely. The cleverness continues unabated on “Cant,” whose queasy circus-time synths and little drum-rolls make for a sinister number that oughta be piped into some Bradbury-esque nightmare funhouse. All in all, it’s an intriguing record, but one that clearly didn’t set the world on fire: I own the copy that once belonged to WERS in Boston, and even they, the band’s hometown college station, only gave the B-side a single play before dumping it. Ouch!

And say, isn’t the Savage Pencil drawing on the cover awfully reminiscent of the eyeball-licking that’s going down on the Flaming Lips’ Wastin’ Pigs EP?