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Tin Huey came from the same fertile Ohio scene that spawned the experimental new wave bands Pere Ubu, Devo, and Human Switchboard. The group's only album is an intriguing and curious arty entity that often shows the influence of Frank Zappa's jazzy numbers, particularly in selections such as "Pink Berets," "Squirm You Worm," and "Coronation." The songs here are often multisectional (at times fragmentedly so) and give ample jazz-oriented solo opportunities to reedman Ralph Carney. The lyrics run a wide gamut, ranging from the blue-collar, down-to-earth "Hump Day" to the wildly surreal "Puppet Wipes." "Slide" is a jaunty, strutting, blues-influenced number with cock-of-the-walk verses. "New York's Finest Dining Experience" counts funk among its grab bag of styles. There's also a power pop cover of the Neil Diamond-penned Monkees hit "I'm a Believer" that owes something to the Motors. The group's members scattered to other bands after this release, with Chris Butler's Waitresses being the most successful of these ventures. This challenging yet good-natured release will most likely appeal to listeners with somewhat more adventurous tastes. ~ David Cleary, Rovi