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Oingo Boingo, what a band. So surreal! Their art pop, punk, ska, jazz influence builds a world of its own. It’s cartoonish but creeping with a dark and writhing energy.
They give me a similar sense of satisfaction that the unhinged and grotesque cartoons of my childhood like Ren & Stimpy did.
Danny Elfman’s colourful and animated vocals oscillate between whimsy and violence. He spits lyrics with visceral force. There is a fanatical passion in the crazed theatrical intensity of it all that really moves me, it’s so cathartic.
They masterfully build texture with sound. It becomes more than music but moving pictures in your head.
Track to track they consistently deliver a chaotic and undulating groove that reaches within your bones and puppets you around like a marionette.
In my opinion, their second studio album Nothing to Fear is one of their best and perfectly encapsulates the energy and vibe of the band.
May 14, 2025
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I think their band name is awful lol, but their music is great. It reminds me of early Shout Out Louds stuff, so much so that I got this weird nostalgic dislocation to my high school sense of self during the first listen. Anyway if you like catchy and anthemic choruses over mellow yet crisp grooves then check them out.
Feb 7, 2024
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Every album is a surprise.
They span (like maybe every?) genre(s).
They are SO GOOD and also everything is just a little bit silly.
Can not recommend this band enough.
Nov 17, 2023
omg why am i so alone here!!! i love them SOOO MUCH i just saw them live finally and was blissed tf out and amped and happy!! their newer (past 6 or so years) stuff is their best work imo and people only remember them from the target commercial but they genuinely just keep getting better. marching band indie rock ska ?? i’m crying because it’s over
Nov 2, 2024
Top Recs from @visceralsuspicion
May 15, 2025
Staying up all night connecting dots with the fervent passion of an unhinged genius - like a mad scientist. Notes and references strewn about the living room floor. Making art and making a huge mess.
21h ago