Camper Van Chadbourne is one of Eugene Chadbourne's best albums, and
perhaps the best introduction to his weird world. He offers up his usual
assortment of cover songs, medleys, and socially conscious originals,
but what makes this album different is the participation of Camper Van
Beethoven. Rarely does Chadbourne work with such capable accompanists,
and the difference is pronounced. While Chadbourne still flies off on
meandering guitar tangents and noise excursions, the instrumental talents
of CVB provide a better anchor so that the individual tracks don't degenerate
into chaos. Many of the original lyrics concern current events and consequently
have become dated, but that's par for the course with protest music.
(by Greg Adams, All
Music Guide)
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