Archers of Loaf

A collection of alternate takes, B-sides and other ephemera ("Power Walker," for instance, features this chorus: "You look so stupid when you walk that way"). Its pleasures are most likely to be appreciated by those already accustomed to Eric Bachman's vocal shrapnel, but fans are sure to be delighted by the six-and-a-half minute, stop/start opus, "Bacteria."

The usual outtake flotsam--singles, B sides, flexis, compilation cuts, alternate versions, John Peel instrumentals, long-intro thing that would have fit onto Vee Vee, seven-minute opus that thank God wouldn't have. All punky, all dissonant, all yet to be melded into one of them seamless wholes. But I say the bits and pieces of the most musical band in Alternia beat the fully realized works of art of mortal road heroes. In fact, I say they are fully realized works of art. (Grade - A-)