Of all the groups that the Residents signed to their Ralph Records, Renaldo & the Loaf were the closest to their label heads in sound. Twisted, high-pitched vocals, child-like melodies, an atmosphere of menace and unease with a stripped-down approach to instrumentation characterised their output.
By their own assertion, they achieved their unique sound in part by striving to get unnatural synthesizer-like sounds using only what instruments they had available (acoustic ones.) To that end they routinely used muffled and de-tuned instruments, and often to striking effect, tape loops/manipulation. The two released four full-length albums, one collection, various songs on compilation albums, and several self-produced demos. They were "discovered" by The Residents when Brian dropped off a tape at Ralph Records headquarters in San Francisco, during a visit to the US. After being signed to Ralph, they collaborated with The Residents on Title in Limbo.
By 1989, the collaboration had lost its steam, and the duo disbanded after recording a sea shanty, "Haul on the Bowline," which appeared only on a Ralph various artists release. Brian Poole ("Renaldo") contributed to sporadic recordings in the 1990s. In 2006 upon the launch of the new Renaldo & the Loaf web site, the duo were reunited for the first time in the better part of two decades.
In October of 2016 they released their first studio album in 29 years, entitled "Gurdy Hurding". Vienna Label Klanggalerie has since re-issued all their albums. In June 2018 Renaldo & The Loaf played their very first genuine live show at Klanggalerie's 25th anniversary in Vienna, documented in the album "Long Time Coming."
External Links:
Website
Renaldo & the Loaf Myspace
The Loaf's Myspace
Renaldo's Myspace
A Medical Man
Renaldo & the Loaf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was annoyed since I'd sat opposite You all the morning
I have heard you say, there are no data
I could hardly keep from smiling at you.
In my atmosphere, gazing at the dial
If I remember, you made enquiries.
Why, of course, I know you're right on both points
Was it not guesswork based on my habits?
"No, I never guess" was all that you said.
More suggestive facts: your brother is careless,
So hence the cocaine
Where is the mystery? That is wonderful,
You can say for sure
It was on the impulse
You said nothing more
Medical Man
The song "A Medical Man" by Renaldo & the Loaf is a complex and enigmatic piece that challenges the listener to decipher its meaning. At its core, the song tells the story of a doctor who is being interrogated by an unnamed individual. The doctor is initially annoyed by the questioning and dismisses the idea that there are no data to support their claims. However, as the conversation unfolds, the doctor realizes that the individual knows more about him than he initially thought. The individual reveals facts about the doctor's brother's cocaine addiction and suggests that the doctor himself may also be using drugs. The doctor is taken aback by this revelation and is left wondering how the individual obtained this information.
The lyrics of "A Medical Man" are open to interpretation and can be seen as a commentary on the power dynamics between doctors and patients, or as a critique of the medical profession as a whole. The song's use of cryptic language and wordplay adds to its overall sense of ambiguity and leaves the listener with a sense of intrigue and curiosity. Overall, "A Medical Man" is an insightful and thought-provoking piece that rewards repeated listens and close analysis.
Line by Line Meaning
I sprang from my chair,
I quickly stood up from my seat.
I was annoyed since I'd sat opposite You all the morning
I was frustrated because I had been sitting across from you all morning.
I have heard you say, there are no data
I recall hearing you say that there is no information available.
I could hardly keep from smiling at you.
I found it difficult not to smile at you.
In my atmosphere, gazing at the dial
I was in my element, looking intently at the instrument.
If I remember, you made enquiries.
If I remember correctly, you asked some questions.
Why, of course, I know you're right on both points
Yes, I agree with you on both counts.
But how in "the name" did you get these facts?
But how did you come to know these details?
Was it not guesswork based on my habits?
Did you make an educated guess based on my behavior?
"No, I never guess" was all that you said.
You insisted that you never make guesses.
More suggestive facts: your brother is careless,
There are additional clues: your brother is careless,
So hence the cocaine
which may explain his cocaine use.
Where is the mystery? That is wonderful,
There's no mystery here; it's quite amazing,
You can say for sure
that you can state with certainty.
It was on the impulse
that you acted without thinking it through.
You said nothing more
and added nothing further.
Contributed by Joshua F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Agus SPP
My fav Renaldo and the Loaf song, and considering their catalogue, that's a lot!
Joel Dixton
👌
Laurent James
Il semble que les médecins de Portsmouth aient une pratique incertaine de leur métier.
megadog
Taco the wonder dog sent me here