One Bad Pig

Item: I Scream Sunday
Author: Doug Van Pelt

I Scream Sunday

(1991)

Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt

Discogs Apple Music TIDAL Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Music

Label MyrrhHeaven's Metal #30March 1991

funk rock punk thrash metal

The first two Pig albums, "Smash" and "Swine Flew," both had classic tunes on it--like "Isaiah Six", "Looney Tune", and "Judas' Kiss"--yet still came across as somewhat of a novelty in some ways. The songs were funny and thrashy, and even made forays into alternative rock--like "Red River" and "People Cry Out"--yet didn't fit into any one category very well. I'm not knocking these albums (I enjoy both of them), but I'm setting the stage for showing where the Pig has grown since then. "I Scream Sunday" is a serious rockin' album! Sure, it's got fun and humorous tunes on it, but songs like "Take A Look At Yourself" and "For A Good Man" lay down some mean grooves. And the Johnny Cash cover--"Man In Black" will be the first song most everybody notices about this record--it's rippin.' Once you hear the opening line of, "Hello. I'm Johnny Cash," you're sold. It rocks in a big way. The chorus is nice and huge. The guitar lines in "Take A Look At Yourself" make me think that Q-Pek has spent some time listening to Vernon Reid's Living Colour work. It moves! Daniel Tucek's bass work is downright impressive. None of us knew he could slap like that! "You're A Pagan" starts off with Phillip Owens hitting his drumsticks on wood, which acts as a good intro. The title track starts off with the familiar groove of "Under Pressure", as Owens goes, "Yeah, P.I.G." and the band mimics Vanilla Ice by saying "Ice Cream Sundae." I wonder how many people will fall off their chair when they hear it for the first time! Lyrically the album is very tight and full of conviction and wit. Each of the four members used their pen this time around, and they all did a good job. "Sober Up" is an interesting tune that fluctuates back and forth between punk/thrash and Reggae. "Wholly My Lord" is the showstopper of the tape, and boy does it sound worshipful! The first time I heard it I found myself praising God deep within my heart. The strong conclusion I have drawn is not a new revelation for me, but it has been driven home deepest with this album--One Bad Pig ain't no joke!