Bunny Gets Paid (Deluxe Edition)

by Greg PratoAlthough Red Red Meat's Bunny Gets Paid certainly has its moments, it lacks the daring brilliance of its 1993 predecessor, Jimmywine Majestic. The band's depressed acoustic and electric approach returns, but this time they show their experimental side, too. The first half of the album is a letdown, never really catching fire. All of the ingredients that made past Red Red Meat recording expeditions so successful are present, but the actual songs aren't very strong. "Rosewood, Wax, Voltz, + Glitter" is noise-rock with no substantial melody to latch onto, while "Gauze" shows promise at the beginning, but never quite delivers. But midway through, the group finally breaks out of their slump and Bunny Gets Paid finally starts to gel. "Idiot Son" is the album's highlight, boasting a sturdy flanged-out guitar riff, which alternates with some mean, bluesy slide noodling. Other high points are "Variations on Nadia's Theme," a moody experimental track, as well as the grumpy "Taxidermy Blues In Reverse." Not a bad album by any means; it's just that Red Red Meat raised their fans' expectations on the superb and thoroughly consistent Jimmywine Majestic.