Lisa Germano

Lullaby for Liquid Pig

(Young God - deluxe reissue)

Record Review by Adam McKibbin

Judging a book by its cover (and accompanying artwork), Lisa Germano’s Lullaby for Liquid Pig looks like it landed straight out of The Ring.  And the album is a house of horrors in a way, although not in a splashy, schlocky, grip-your-armrest sort of way.  Instead, Germano’s horrors are psychological; “These are your secrets / Hidden inside / Wherever you go / Wherever you hide,” she sings to open the album, then spends the rest of the time unearthing the secrets… her secrets, your secrets… sometimes the line gets blurry.

Originally released in 2003, Liquid Pig has newly reappeared thanks to Michael Gira and Young God Records, now with an “Extra CD For Pig” that contains home recordings and live performances from Lisbon and L.A.’s famed singer/songwriter haven Largo.  The second disc offers a few illuminating moments, including stripped-down takes on the album’s two catchiest tracks, “Candy” and “It’s Party Time.”  The live performances are arranged as suites and include selections from Germano’s last album (and Young God debut) In The Maybe World.  Of the Lisbon/Largo selections, the “Way Below The Radio/ Guillotine / Moon Palace / Woodfloors / Pearls” track resonates most of all.

As for the main course, the album almost sounds even better now than it did then, as listeners have been through several more years of artists madly dashing through genres and styles in an attempt to find something to light up the digital download charts.  Even Liquid Pig’s lone failure, the grating sound collage “Liquid Pig,” stays true to the vision of the album as a whole.  Germano cuts to the heart of alienation and addiction with her signature breathy vocals, unflinching lyrics and “haunted carnival” style of memorable melodies.  While other albums in her remarkable (and, unfortunately, even with this re-release, still underrated and underexposed) catalog have made more of a mainstream impact, Liquid Pig stands as the fractured crown jewel.