Blasphemy (2025)

 Blasphemy 

(2025, Splendid Research Records)

After releasing the 8 song, 17 minute The Grand Rapids EP in 2024, it seemed as if Bob and company may have released another one and done project. Only time could tell. Comparisons to the loose cacophony of Howling Wolf Orchestra or Nightwalker were more on par in comparison than ESP Ohio or Mars Classroom. 

Then, by miracle, along came Rip Van Winkle with their first full-length LP! If The Grand Rapids EP was their Meat Puppets In A Car EP, then this might have jumped all the way to being their Meat Puppets II. 

Once again, Pollard and the members of Joseph Airport (which includes such as liner notes legends as Joe Patterson), return with a self-described "performance" record. One could argue, it's a concept. Others could say it makes no sense. 

In place of a lyrics sheet, this baby comes with a band proclaimed script! Songs are held together with theatrical interludes or what feel like the delivery of non-sequitur dialogue. And unlike its 8 song predecessor, this record is a more fully realized band record, calling back to some early GBV highlights with the feel of 4 people hammering out the songs and hitting record. It's refreshing, and a welcomed addition to the catalog. 

SIDE A:

On Behalf Of The Morning Announcement Staff- 1 Kicking off this listenable screenplay, we get some ambient radio waves! Dig it. Not a song so extremely excited to hear...

Shit-heel Man- 4  ... that Rip Van Winkle has been practicing! I don't want to say anyone's soul was sold at the crossroads, but I'm also not counting it out. Immediately, compared to the debut, you can hear the difference in delivery and intent. In fact, this could have had a place at the GBV table somewhere along the way had it been worked earlier. The mid production really works in the songs favor, adding to its basement sheen. 

Pool Hall Tactics-3  "Kaiser Prose" plays in the background of what sounds like a social gathering set up. When it kicks in, the band delivers something that sounds like it stepped off the grooves of The Harold Pig Memorial  to say fuck you. Tip of the cap the the bold drum solo in the middle of this distorted plod that totally works. 

St. George- 1 Sounds like "Down the Island" off GBV's Warp and Woof before going off on its own path. At under a minute, not much to speak of in this brief idea that is now preserved. 

Six Black Horses- 3 Is it the horse imagery, but this feels like it could be cut from some Neil Young cloth. Then it dives into grungier Crazy Horse territory... Or Circus Devils? Rad dissonant ending that could have been held out longer for added Sonic Youthian moments. 

Union- 3 Bob Pollard sings a sing-along, folky tune with an alien or Gizmo from the holiday classic Gremlins. Not a bad song, not a great song. Conceptually more interesting than the song itself? 

A Mirror Off- 4 Absolutely love the repetitive bassline on this, anchoring down the slinking guitar warble. Indulgent mix of garage rock and scrappy psychedelia inviting you to fall into. Possibly the strongest track on the record! 

SIDE B:

By the Water- 4 Yeah, 2025 was my "By the Water" summer. Sorry to the rest of society for not getting down with this obscure, yet essential jam. 60% within 60 miles? Educational too! The duel guitar call and response approach is incredible over a song so stupidly infectious it hurts. 

Quiver and Quill- 4 Opens with what sounds like a fractured table read before kicking into a jangled, tasty indie tune. Pollard does some questionable scatting in the middle that I don't mind, but the song really rules!

Snake With Human Heads- 3 After the sound of more marching, Pollard greats us with an acoustic opening before its tonal guitar-chiming second half kicks in. Did not get this until the redeeming percussive last minute hits, an the ideas start to gel in some amalgamation over Pollard's cryptic imagery. 

Discussion Amongst Toads-2  For a brief moment, in between the song's confounding bookends, this may be some of the heaviest music Pollard has been a part of! Unfortunately, I wish this came together better as a whole. 

This Is My Thriller- 4  Incredible title in what sounds like Pollard taking another stab at making his "Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite." A haunted organ driven waltz that wobbles as it goes along. Suddenly, the song stops and a we're subjected to a minute plus of piano noodling, and background conversation. With a little over a minute to go, the piano stops and we're escorted back into this haunted circus atmosphere. The piano juxtaposition is such an unnecessary and jarring move, I absolutely love the decision. 

Gangbusters- 3 A nervy acoustic driven track that sounds like eastern inspired psychedelia leading us out into a return to... 

On Behalf Of The Evening Announcement Staff- 1  More radio waves lead us out, practically identical to the first track. I may not understand this script, but sure as hell hope to see this acted out one day, whatever it is!