Richard Ramirez - Trick (Hospital Productions)
I had listened to the samples on Bandcamp a number of times and always had difficulty "getting it" with this particular album. I'm a huge Richard fan and kept coming back to it, thinking maybe it would click eventually.
Recently found a brand new copy of the 2xLP at a local record store and figured that was a sign to give it a true go. It looks gorgeous too. The foil stamping on the front and back cover is done so well. The record store guy definitely looked perplexed when he saw the cover.
It opens up with a very fitting sample. "There is only one asshole here. And I'm going to fuck it." Chef's kiss.
The sample and cover are truly representative of the album. This one is a true ass-fucking. Something about it is generally unpleasant. Like truly HARSH. It seems like Richard was really going for something different here. There is a lot of mid and high-range sounds on this. Definitely more shrill. The material sounds like Richard exercising some demons.
Sitting down with the album and actively listening allowed me to appreciate it more. It's harsh as hell, but there is nuance happening. Only If You Want to Fuck Part I and II are the most harsh on the album by far. Voyage of Tempted Flesh Part I, II, and III explore different sounds and provide a reprieve from the beginning of the album. Voyage of Tempted Flesh is also a killer track name.
Definitely not a release I would recommend for someone first getting into Richard, and even then, some people who are already familiar. However, I do admire it for its fuck you attitude. It feels like a particularly singular release in his catalogue in some ways.
