RSSDavid Thomas and Two Pale Boys [extended]
- The Sound of the Sand and Other Songs of the Pedestrian [Rough Trade, 1981] B
- Variations on a Theme [Sixth International, 1983] B
- More Places Forever [Twin/Tone, 1985] B+
- Monster Walks the Winter Lake [Twin/Tone, 1986] B
- Blame the Messenger [Twin/Tone, 1987] C+
- Mirror Man [Thirsty Ear, 1999]
- Surf's Up! [Thirsty Ear, 2001]
See Also:
Consumer Guide Reviews:
David Thomas and the Pedestrians: The Sound of the Sand and Other Songs of the Pedestrian [Rough Trade, 1981]
It's not as if the last two Ubu albums didn't hint at such a consummation, but it's still a shock to hear Thomas dive like a fat swan into the art-rock he's accused of by prole ideologues. Smarter and funnier--more talented--than all but a few of the (mostly English) eccentrics who write oddly textured pancultural songs with drums but no beat about birds, shoes, hairpins, and other "simple things," he ain't winging it. But he is more eccentric than one might hope. Interesting Note (to "The New Atom Mine"): "This song does not toast The Physicist as an individual or a class. Rather, it's an expression of appreciation for the publishing of exciting information." B
David Thomas and the Pedestrians: Variations on a Theme [Sixth International, 1983]
David Thomas leader-member was willing to have his ideas fucked with; David Thomas solo isn't. Maybe that's because the ideas have gotten narrower; they've certainly gotten slighter. His whimsies can be charming, his jokes are often worth a chuckle, and he couldn't ask for more sensitive accompanists than Richard Thompson and Anton Fier. Maybe someday he'll write a Peter and the Wolf for our time. B
David Thomas and the Pedestrians: More Places Forever [Twin/Tone, 1985]
How about that--it's Peter and the Wolf. Thomas is a cabaret artist now, more at home for better or worse with arty Euroswingers like Chris Cutler and Lindsay Cooper than he ever was with roots-rockers deep down like Richard Thompson and Anton Fier. For a while there, his whimsy seemed arid and forced. Here, once again, he's palpably "Enthusiastic." B+
David Thomas and the Wooden Birds: Monster Walks the Winter Lake [Twin/Tone, 1986]
David's in fine talk-show form on side one, peddling metaphysics and quoting dictionaries and wending his way through the associative title tale. The music follows along just right, and his monster postscripts are also fun. But side two is associative enough to make one wonder just how interesting one fellow's fantasy life can be. B
David Thomas and the Wooden Birds: Blame the Messenger [Twin/Tone, 1987]
The nadir of Thomas's art-song mode, which reduces music to a setting for words and voice, both exceedingly eccentric for better and mostly worse, and also--ironically, as they say--encourages the autonomy of musicians who like most musicians are wise to follow orders. Even the humorous Velikovsky debunk goes nowhere, which is too bad--might teach David's fans something. C+
David Thomas: Mirror Man [Thirsty Ear, 1999]
Surf's Up! [Thirsty Ear, 2001]