Little Fyodor: underground
phenomenon. On Peaceis Boring, Mr.
Lichtenberg provides thirteen distinctly bizarre goof-rock
excursions (and a vocals-only Joni Mitchell cover) which run
the gamut from the purely inspired to the more or less flat. On the
better end of the spectrum sits the Beefheart-esque art-rock
of the title-track, with its quirky, spasmodic structure, as well as
the reggae-tinged “The Natural Progression of Life” (minus
a bland chorus). On the other hand,
“Everybody's Sick” and post-punk influenced “All My Clothes Are
Uncomfortable” are solely novelty – fun, funny, and
fairly surreal,
but hardly the type of tunage you allot heavy rotation to. The main
problem with the record's weaker tracks has to do with a recurrent
formula: Little Fyodor conjures up a brief, abrupt melodic phrase,
then repeats it ad nauseam. Goofy goodness, for sure, but not enough
to keep one coming back. Meanwhile, Lichtenberg's wacky vocals
are a curious double-edged sword: his
unique delivery is what gives Peace is Boring a lot of its
character, but they are also a fiercely acquired taste (his cover of
Mitchell's “Death Sides Now” makes this point adamantly clear.)
Hence, due to Fyodor's startling idiosyncrasy,
I have trouble passing any anchored
judgement on this little number...
(Note: Features a atonally-sung,
banjo-tinged cover of “These Boots Are Made for Walkin'”)