The Residents had passed their own punk stage in 1976 with the release of "Satisfaction" and were feeling that 1979 disco, while using the studio in new ways, did not actually offer much in the way of depth. So they decided it was a good time to make the jump into world music, since by their own calculations it was not to become popular for several more years. They scanned the map for a proper culture to exploit. Immediately they realized the North Pole had been overlooked because it is made of ice and therefore not on a world map.
S**H
Eskimo in Multichannel (amended)
It isn't advertised, but the pREServed series appears to be mixed in Dolby Stereo. If you have a multichannel speaker system, set your DSP to Dolby Surround x Movie and you'll be amazed. I don't know if it is deliberate or not, but it works.EDIT: I found out that Eskimo was released on DVD in a true discrete 5.1 mix. I wondered if it was similar to the Dolby Stereo version on the CD, so I found a used copy and ordered it. It is a totally different mix. The CD breaks the vocals off to the center channel and just puts a light bed of ambience in the rears. The DVD throws the sound all around with a lot of the vocals in the rear.One other interesting thing I noticed is that the DVD seems to not only have a different mix, but it appears to be edited differently too. The "songs" (such as they are) are basically the same, but the transitions between them are quite different. The overall feeling of the mix is different too. The DVD is more immersive and ambient, like an auditory movie. The CD feels more like a musical performance with more focus on the vocals, and the pop culture references embedded in them. The pREServed CD includes an a cappella version that takes this to an even higher level. And of course there is the completely different Diskomo version.I own this album now in several formats... in addition to the pREServed CD and the DVD, I have the original LP release, white vinyl LP and CD. I remember when the white vinyl version came out, I wondered why it sounded different than the other LP I had of it. Now I'm suspecting that there is no one single version of Eskimo. Each release may be a little different.At some point, I'm going to pull out my older copies and compare, but for now, I throw it out to the Residential scholars out there to figure out. In the meantime, I would recommend that anyone who really likes this album should get the Eskimo DVD too. It is totally different and it has great visuals to go with it that illustrate the story. It's a bit pricey, but if you have a surround sound setup, you really need the 5.1 version as well as the pREServed CD.The Residents rabbit hole goes very deep!
C**
Adding This OddBall To The Collection
As far as eye can tell there is no download for this release, Bloody good release though.
A**L
beautiful rendering of a triumphant avant garde work
Review of the MVD Audio/Cherry Red Records 2 CD pREServed edition of ESKIMO by the RESIDENTS.This is a stunning CD, and breathes new life into the album for me, since my original vinyl copy of it was a bit worse for wear. The packaging is beautiful and the booklet is fun to look at and read.WARNING: This is not a pop album, this is a singular work of art.If you want pop music from the Residents you should look into The Residents Commercial Album, which has 40 lovely and yet still odd songs on it, Or Duck Stab/Buster and Glen, which includes the standout track Sinister Exaggerator. Sinister Exaggerator was covered by Primus on their EP, Miscellaneous Debris, which was no surprise really, since the whole sound of that band was deeply informed by the Residents.
J**T
The Residents are GODS!!!
The sheer winds of winter chill you to the bone as you listen to this, always AMAZING piece of work. Great to hear all of the "bonus" material (as always with the pREServed releases!!!!!)
J**M
nothing like a good seal hunt
but you got to look out for the banshees. awesome album if the Residents is your taste.
P**F
A one-of-a-kind avant-garde trip
It's a major album, don't get me wrong--I just happen to prefer NOT AVAILABLE,which I ordered previously. But it was delivered promptly and I can't complainabout the quickness or quality of service. One of the Residents' greatest releases,although, as mentioned, NOT AVAILABLE is still my favorite.
P**R
Didn't Get It
When I first heard Eskimo 30 years ago I just plain didn't get it. I wanted more Duck Stab, something straightforward albeit weird.For some reason I decided just recently to give it another shot—and now I see why some consider Eskimo the Residents' most accomplished work. Its concept is quite sophisticated and its execution perfect.
S**S
Not like the original but still love the Residence.
Great recording, but not like the original, which was on white vinyl. Quality of pressing is good.
A**R
Good fast service
Brilliant
E**A
Nice
Fast delivery, very good quality, it was a well appreciated present
R**L
Essential, definitive.
This is the best version/release of this classic scholastic surreal album. The sound quality remastering by Scott Colburn is rich, noiseless and rich in hi res glory. The second disc features songs ranging from the gamut of outtakes , live versions (spanning many eras of the band) and unreleased curios. Definitive for the completist collector.
L**A
Obra Prima
Obra Prima
P**S
Five Stars
Excellent item as described. Prompt dispatch, safe and sound. Top marks.
