Try as you might, there’s no place to hide in the considered light of Edith Frost’s music. Even when she veers into slightly more psychedelic vistas, her work is breezy, thoughtful, and informed of countless threads of musical history. You can trace the influence of folk, rock, and country music all through her discography, and on her latest album, In Space, these tangled rhythmic roots and branches come together to form a mighty ancestral tree. Each song is story to be experienced, a world to behold, connecting us all in ways we might never have imagined.
In Space may well be the most reflective record she’s ever released, and looking back at the emotional complexity of her earlier efforts, that’s saying a lot. These songs exist in various liminal spaces, transitory passages that signal an understanding of both the substantial impact and fleeting impression our existence can have on those around us. We roam, and we connect – now, the terms of those relationships are up to us, whether we pull away from others or whether we allow a select few to engage with any emotional truthfulness. This new record allows Frost to create a sonic landscape that encourages physical and intangible connections of all shapes and sizes, giving us an opportunity to discover something of ourselves and much of the world in which we live.
In our latest On Deck feature, Frost upends the usual flood of positive influences and inspirations to create a list of albums that have done the exact opposite, to some degree or another. In her words, these are five “of the weirdest or worst records in my collection”. And maybe she throws in something extra as well.
JUD JUD
The Demos
[No Idea Records; 1997]
An acapella metal band. If you say the band name over and over you’ll start to get it. They were absolutely a real band and played shows this way!
…and the Native Hipsters
There Goes Concorde Again
[Mechanically Reclaimed Music; 2001]
Compilation of an arty, avante-garde band that made some very charming quirky music. It’s just weird enough that it made me go “WHAT IS THIS?!” the first time I heard “Mr. Magic”, in the Espers tour van of all places! My favorite song is the title track, tho it might come across as a bit… hmmmm… in 2025. For possible fatphobia, it’s hard to say.
Various Artists
Bent, Batty & ‘Bnoxious
[Torture; 1988]
An 80’s “world’s worst records” type compilation. But nothing that you ever heard on the Dr. Demento show. Almost all the songs are 50s and 60s novelty numbers, possibly in the “so bad they’re great” category, depending on your taste. Never made it to CD, sadly.
Harvey Sid Fisher
Astrology Songs
[Amarillo Records; 1993]
This is actually better on video than LP. I hate to put it on the list because it’s not bad at all, it’s GREAT!! The idea might be silly, and the execution might be a bit cheezy, but wow the songwriting is on point. If you don’t have all these choruses memorized by next week, I feel sorry for you. Harvey is a songwriter’s songwriter, kinda like Daniel Johnston was.
Doug Momary
The New Zoo Revue
[Disneyland; 1972]
I’m not sure how many people would remember this AWFUL kid’s show from the 70s. It might even have been local to Texas, not sure. But this has to be the very worst record in my collection. Adults singing off-pitch and “animals” screech-singing along. I’ve tried to sell it several times, but no one wants it, I’m stuck with it now! Most of the songs are truly horrible & focus on keeping kids in school. But it was aimed at really young kids who probably hadn’t even considered dropping out yet.
Bonus Single:
Wee Willie Shantz
“Coo Coo Bird” b/w Hush Puppy, Hush”
[Mark Twain; unknown]
If you like Hasil Adkins and wish he would’ve slowed down and made a record for small children… ;-)
In Space is out now on Drag City. You can purchase it here.
