Fun Terminal

iTunes Review

In the late ‘70s, San Francisco was fermenting its own new wave/punk scene, and the Mutants were one of its brightest lights. Born of the fecund S.F. Art Institute, the Mutants opted for weirdness and humor over the vitriol and volume of the punk scene, and their brand of “art punk” earned them affection from all corners of the burgeoning scene. They wrote shockingly good songs, with catchy choruses and audible, clever lyrics sung by lead Mutant, Fritz (a.k.a. “Freddy Fox”), a man possessing one of the more notable punk-rock voices of all time. Back-up singers Sally and Sue contributed more than their sweet-tart voices: on stage, the seven-piece band was nothing short of spectacle. Terminal was released in 1982, and while it suffered from classic ‘80s over-production, the original 13 songs — especially “Opposite World,” “Lesson In Time,” “True Story,” “Twisted Thing,” and  “Give and Take” — managed to outshine the overzealous mix. This 2004 reissue includes the band’s 1978 EP, with essential songs “New Dark Ages,” “Insect Lounge,” and the original “New Drug,” and, lastly, three live tracks, including fan favorite “Furniture.”