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Imagine yourself in the middle of a festival, and I mean that literally â?? stages left, right, behind and en face, and you can hear them all at once. Should you have Marilyn Manson, The Moldy Peaches, The Polyphonic Spree and The Smashing Pumpkins competing for attention, the resulting collage of sound would probably sound a bit like the insanity of '1:3:1'. A collection of over 40 musicians and artists from New York, Dufus see-saw awkwardly between brilliance (Mor Grl Cops) and the abysmal (Jahflooey), and have an annoying habit of misspelling words, making the lyrics read like some three-year-old's attempt to re-work 'War and Peace' for the playschool massive. Apparently Dufus have been described as "experimental, confusing, lopsided, clumsy, and newly original/refreshing". I'd add "capable of greatness but happier to be awkward for the sake of it." A lot of the 'crazy' instrumentation and skits are unnecessary and detract from what could be a great record for punk, pop and anti-folk fans alike. They're a niche band, but don't seem to know what niche to opt for, but do have a song called Jocks Carrying Dildos, which therefore gifts '1:3:1' an honest, if cautious, recommendation. "Not for everyone" would be the understatement of a lifetime.

Mike Diver
CWAS #12 - Summer 2003

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