The Mole Show: Live in Holland, June 6, 1983

AMG Review of The Mole Show: Live in Holland, June 6, 1983

Tom Schulte
All Music Guide

The Mole story is the Residents' crypto-religious saga of exodus, enslavement, and bitter hope. Mole Show: Live in Holland, June 6, 1983 is a powerful opening of a trilogy as of yet only partially released. As such, even among Residents fans, it is often seen as the pinnacle of their vision. Rich in artwork, the package contains an animate and powerful expression of the Residents' core ode. A young Penn Jillette (Penn & Teller) narrates the tales with explanations, some visual cues, and a comedic routine still in development. At least for this show, there is an explosive, surprise ending featuring a frantic, cursing Jillette. Along with the companion album Mark of the Mole (the studio version), this is a prime and important example of the Residents' electronic visions of a weird reality and fractured, deconstructed pop.