The Jazz Butcher

The Jazz Butcher's Creation label debut came after band regulars Max Eider and David J. of Bauhaus and Love and Rockets fame had departed for other projects. With Pat Fish (aka the Jazz Butcher) having already proven himself to be the driving force of the band songwriting-wise, this 1988 album fits right in with the top-notch records the band had already cut during the decade. It certainly features Fish's patented mix of cinematic pop melancholy and minimal pub rock. And while not as stellar as earlier efforts, the disc does deliver two of Fish's most realized bits of forlorn whimsy in "Susie" and "Keeping the Curtains Closed." Guitarist Kizzy O'Callaghan makes some fine contributions as well, while Butcher's guest alumni -- like saxophonist Alex Green, bassist Greenwood Goulding, and drummer Dave Morgan -- provide some loose and tasty backing. And for Spacemen 3 fans, there's Sonic Boom working his feedback alchemy on "Susie." Fishcoteque might not be the best of starting points for newcomers, but it still is a record that Jazz Butcher fans will eventually want to pick up. ~ Stephen Cook, All Music Guide