Datapanik in the Year Zero
Cleveland's Pere Ubu, led by howling lead singer David Thomas, have been doing their unique brand of nonlinear experimental garage synth-pop since 1975. Sharing an ethos (and the occasional band member) with experimental acts like theRed CrayolaorCaptain Beefheart, Pere Ubu are tough to classify as just plain weird--sometimes their pop sensibilities, no matter how off-kilter, just get the best of them. Futuristic and retro at the same time, Pere Ubu never seem to know quite where they're going, and that's what makes them so engaging. This five-CD set documents the beginning to middle period of their career, including five early records, 17 live tracks, and an entire disc of songs from various side projects and Ubu-related acts.--Donovan Finn