MINDLESS SELF INDULGENCE

A sticker on the cover of Mindless Self Indulgence’s debut album baits would-be purchasers to “be the first on your block to throw this new album out,” and quite a few horrified listeners might take the band up on this offer. Although obviously tongue-in-cheek, songs such as “Bitches” and “Dicks Are For My Friends” aren’t for everyone, and the group’s Orgy-meets-Atari Teenage Riot industrial overload could melt the earwax of all but the most hardened clubheads. Those who weather the assault (and at 30 songs, this album is hard for even fans to absorb in one sitting) will uncover some strong melodies, particularly on “Backmask” and “Faggot,” and the booming programmed percussion of tracks such as “Keepin’ Up With the Kids” will trigger the dance reflex on all but the pulse-impaired. Lyrically, singer Little Jimmy Urine moves from shock-value vulgarity (I love my mommy ‘cuz she fucked my dad) to stream-of-consciousness flows capped off by bizarre unrelated choruses (as on “Harry Truman” and “I Hate Jimmy Page”). Urine raps during several songs, which works surprisingly well, but he also proves capable of pulling off a spooky Marilyn Manson-style falsetto. Throw this disc on at a party and it’s guaranteed that some of your guests will walk away from the room or leave the premises altogether. However, the heartier souls who stick around will almost certainly be impressed by the multilayered beats on this daring debut.