The Funeral Pudding originally came out as a CD-only release on the Dutch label Brinkman to promote Thinking Fellers Union Local 282s 1994 European tour. For the domestic release, the band chose Chicagos Ajax Recordswhich had already released two TFUL282 singles in 1990to press a 12 mini-LP. Comprising a selection of songs recorded right after the sessions that yielded 1993s Admonishing The Bishops EP, The Funeral Pudding could be thought of as a sister release to that EP; indeed, the band originally considered combining tracks from both sessions into a single album. [Here, I think you need to say something like Had it been released, that record wouldve followed the pattern of previous album in which the bands pop and avant-garde leanings are yoked together cheek by jowl.

Instead, Admonishing showcases the band at its most accessible while The Funeral Pudding flaunts their more expansive, abrasive and absurdist side without forfeiting the earlier EPs miraculously high standards for songwriting and sonic clarity.) What makes The Funeral Pudding a unique feather in the Fellers cap is that most of the tracks are sung by bassist Anne Eickelberg and guitarist Hugh Swarts a notable departure from the Davies/Hageman vocal dominance on most of the other albums. With Eickelbergs soaring falsetto leading the proceedings, tracks like Waited Too Long and Heavy Head are some of the most beloved in the bands discography. And 23 Kings Crossing is a whiplash-inducing psych/prog stunner that adds another metric ton to the burden of proof demonstrating that TFUL282 was creating some of the most thrilling, enduring and sonically autonomous music of its era.

A1. Waited Too Long
A2. Flames Up
A3. Firing Squad
A4. Traffic Mule
A5. 23 Kings Crossing
B1. Heavy Head
B2. Give Me Back My Golden Arm
B3. Sidewinder
B4. The Invitation