Duck Stab! is a 7-inch EP by the Residents released in 1978 through the Ralph Records label. The songs were later remixed and re-released (albeit in a different order) as Side One of their Duck Stab/Buster & Glen album.
Background
Originally a side project for the Residents,[1] Duck Stab! is very different from the Residents' previous works, which features clear and understandable, if nonsensical lyrics, as well as crafted and complex instrumentals. Despite the primitive equipment available for them at the time, the Residents managed to create a diverse sounding record.
Duck Stab! was intended to have a follow up EP titled Buster & Glenn, which would be released later in that same year. Yet, that second EP was combined with Duck Stab! to make a single album, which was done to improve the general sound quality. The record was a critical success.[2] Whilst some noted that the Residents were approaching commercial elements with this EP, it was noted that they were purposefully avoiding others, such as a traditional chorus/verse structure.[3]
Track listing
All tracks are written by the Residents.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Laughing Song" | 2:14 |
| 2. | "Blue Rosebuds" | 3:10 |
| 3. | "Constantinople" | 2:26 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Booker Tease" | 1:06 |
| 2. | "Sinister Exaggerator" | 3:30 |
| 3. | "Bach Is Dead" | 1:13 |
| 4. | "Elvis and His Boss" | 2:31 |
| Total length: | 16:10 | |
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [4] |
In an unusual turn, the Residents quickly sold out of their original pressing.[2] Duck Stab! is considered to be a vast improvement on the previous year's Fingerprince and the best starting point for any fan.[5]
In a review for Allmusic, Kieran McCarthy concluded that, although the songs on Duck Stab! were sparse and strange, the release is an "essential" part of the Residents' discography.
References in Popular Culture
Duck Stab! was mentioned in the 1993 song "Whiteness Thy Name Is Meltonian" from the album This Leaden Pall by Half Man Half Biscuit.
References
- ^ "The Quietus | Features | Anniversary | Dub Stab In Duck Housing: The Residents 'Break Through' In 78". The Quietus. Retrieved 2019-06-08.
- ^ a b "Duck Stab / Buster & Glen - Historical - The Residents". residents.com. Retrieved 2019-06-07.
- ^ gio80. "The Seeds That Turn Into Tomorrow (Duck Stab!) | Grandpa Gio and The Residents". Retrieved 2019-06-07.
- ^ McCarthy, Kieran. "Duck Stab! - The Residents". Allmusic. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
- ^ "Review: Duck Stab". Kittysneezes. 2012-05-03. Retrieved 2019-06-08.