Sometime pre Covid, I began a brief online correspondence w/an anonymous Jim Shpard fan. Long story short, down the line he intimated that he'd purchased the contents of a storage locker, amongst the inventory; a healthy chunk of Onion Records stock. Not only that but he was sure this unmarked cdr was a Jim Shepard project. He sent a copy to confirm & almost immediately on playing I'd concur 1000%. From the handwritten titles on a back sticker (reproduced here) to the maniacal opening track, there can be only one. He must have been planning some sort of release after 'Motorcycle Movie' perhaps?. But like I said, this was years ago & I had forgotten all about the interaction. So imagine my surprise when a vinyl copy shows up on the stoop door. And w/an offer to distribute. Guess what I did?Titled 'Panties & Perfume' it's 19 tracks of scalding wit, collaged fuckery spackled across some higher key/lo-fi throb. While in the vein of 'Picking Through The Wreckage With A Stick', this set goes even beyond.The narrative is even more fearless in it's stream of consciousness & sequencing, like unfurling the Bayeaux Tapestry to behold depictions of skirmishes with The Familiar Ugly, Le Forte Four, Fuckoff Records, basement Van Der Graaf, even Lenny Bruce. Or imagine Frippertronics spit-roasted over burning tires. Either way it flames on with a droll, noxious glee that never really lets you totally in, but yet you're still hip to the overall message. Not recommended for those consumers bearing delicate humors. It's so good it got me thinking maybe this was all part of THE PLAN. With Jim you never know. Find of the decade for sure. Pressing of 200,.
2025