Thought Gang, "Ant Head" (Sacred Bones)

Okay, technically speaking, the track isn't called "Ant Head," but because this post focuses on David Lynch and Angelo Badalamenti, norms are going to be violated—as well as your precious sense of decorum, perhaps. This video—shot by Lynch, of course—is actually a promo device for the director's Festival of Disruption 2018, which happened last month in LA. (Not sure why Sacred Bones is just releasing it to press now, but better late than never.) The clip consists of ants crawling over a slab of cheese while "Frank 2000" and "Woodcutters From Fiery Ships" from Thought Gang's 2018 self-titled album score the insectoid chaos. So, if you suffer from myrmecophobia, listen but don't watch.

You will immediately notice that Thought Gang's music doesn't resemble Badalamenti's soundtracks for Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet, et al. On the contrary, "Frank 2000" recalls some of the starkest, most foreboding rock this side of This Heat, Brise-Glace, and Hovercraft. It sounds as if it were created during an Eraserhead state of mind—summoning a blasted, post-industrial wasteland aura shot through with nightmarish interludes and a catastrophic climax. (In actuality, these recordings were done in the early '90s, when the duo were working on Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me.) "Woodcutters From Fiery Ships" features a recitation of a grisly, supernatural horror story while a death-jazz turbulence roils in the middle distance. These pieces will change your perception of Badalamenti's music—and reinforce your belief that David Lynch is one twisted genius.