The Wolfgang Press, The Burden of Mules (side A)

The Wolfgang Press evolved out of the beloved Rema-Rema and their more goth successors Mass.  1983's The Burden of Mules reminds me a bit of Metal Box, and maybe the Birthday Party's Bad Seed EP—songs are built around deadpan vocals and repeating basslines.  Unlike those records, a drum machine provides a foundation, with only minimal percussion around it, in an arrangement comparable to Ike Yard.  The track "Slow as a Child" has more of an arty feel, more like Lady June than the Art Bears, and a long way from post-punk.  The sound is a bit subdued, but it's hard to tell if that's on purpose or a reflection of technical limitations.  The dark, murky packaging, looks great.