The first album from Seattle's
Critters Buggin' was probably the least-pretentious of the bunch, mildly swaying between background electronic effects and the gazed-out art funk rock that would predominately reappear in later years. Hindered by awkward sub-torrential jazz in tracks like "Kickstand Hog," the album's best bits were often difficult to find on initial listens, but they were there. "T-Ski" goes a bit thrashy like
Marilyn Manson alternately picking up and battering in a sax and "Shag" and "Los Lobos" use the crackly sample effect to create a psychologically loose chatter of suggestive basslines and cymbal-heavy percussion. ~ Dean Carlson