Therapy? - Babyteeth

Reviews for the band Therapy?'s 1991 mini-album Babyteeth generally praise its raw, aggressive, and original sound, featuring a mix of punk energy and industrial elements with memorable tracks like "Punishment Kiss," "Innocent X," and "Dancin' With Manson". While some reviews note the production can be "raw" and that the album has a "short, not a moment is wasted" feel, it's seen as a powerful and uncompromising start to the band's career, establishing their unique sonic identity.

Therapy? burst upon the underground scene with all the grace of the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre". The bands that Northern Ireland produced tended to be angst ridden and explosive yet dull but Therapy? emerged as a band that could be serious contenders for cult like mainstream popularity without lessening their sonic attack yet it could only be aided by a fresh and full production that only a bigger label might bring. Guitarist and singer Andy Cairns could not only write bone crushing riffs and write haunting aggressive lyrics but he juxtaposed those elements with his on stage humour and delightful approach to showmanship as he mimicked everybody from Elvis to Johnny Rotten.
"Babyteeth" is an aptly titled introduction to the band as they indeed cut through with a vicious assault of hardcore and industrial noise making mayhem. "Meat Abstract" has always remained a live favorite with it's catchy riff and sing-a-long chorus of "...Hey Freedom...". Even at this early stage Therapy? were being experimental given their limitations with tracks like "Innocent X" and the bizarre "Dancin' With Manson". But one of the most interesting if not great pieces on this release is "Loser Cop" which includes samples from the classic road movie "Easy Rider" as well as a saxophone strain and some very erratic riffing and noises. I'm not sure if this works but it comes across like a musical hangover. Therapy? tame it down a tad for the very seventies influence of "Skyward" which has all the trademarks of a single given some extra work and a decent production. Mudd, who produced the album has done nothing if not made "Babyteeth" muddy and very dense but the sound is anything but accessible. While the songs show great potential the production work is very unforgiving on this over distorted recording and every instrument seems to be set at stun! Good and chaotic debut from Therapy?

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Therapy? – Babyteeth

1.       Meat Abstract
2.       Skyward
3.       Punishment Kiss
4.       Animal Bones
5.       Loser Cop
6.       Innocent X
7.       Dancin’ With Manson