Stendhal Syndrome (page 2 of 2) JM: They helped me get through the honk-and-clatter sideshow the band is clanking out in the next ring. The gritty imagery caught me off guard and kept me listening. JS: Like the audio equivalent of a double-take. This record had that effect on me several times. I'm not typically into songs that revolve around mass murder and mutilation, but Haute Tropic is one of my favorite tunes of the year so far. JM: It took a few spins before I caught the fucking Brady Bunch reference in there, which is uncomfortable in such a great way. That track is a keeper.
JS: Once the chorus hit, I was completely on board with the homicidal protagonist. JM: It's like, “Wow, he sure is killing an awful lot of people and doing horrible shit with their remains. Oh, well, I guess that's a good reason. Carry on!” JS: Exactly. There are a handful of other moments on Life Fantastic that made me grin and even laugh before I realized that I am a bad person for doing so.
JM: That's the real appeal here. This record digs into your dark side and turns it into an amusement park. And you don't even realize that it's actually this huge, dilapidated trailer park full of crying children and dead hookers until you walk out with a smile on your face. JS: Absolutely. I recently read an interview with the main spaz, Honus Honus, in which he compared their music to a piñata full of broken glass. JM: That's pretty good, but my description was better. JS: Way to keep that ego in check. Final assessment? JM: Let's call it an even 427 out of 666 Chocolate Coated Creeper 'Staches. JS: I love this album. 635 out of 666 Chocolate Coated Creeper 'Staches. JM: Any other knee-slapping zingers to share before we sign off? JS: No.