The Ugly Organ Turns 20

It’s been 20 years and no one’s written a more vicious review of The Ugly Organ than Tim Kasher himself. On “Butcher The Song,” the Cursive frontman repeatedly likens his creative process to taking a shit; at other points, it’s more like masturbation. Either way, the end result is described as a “horrible mess.” This is right before Kasher brings The Ugly Organ to its brutal and bloody climax — yelling “GET OUT THE BUTCHER’S KNIFE!” three times, each one more desperate than the last. The Ugly Organ isn’t exactly dealing in subtle metaphor, but this is one instance where Kasher leaves things open to interpretation. Is he asking for castration? A lobotomy? Both? Or are those basically the same thing for someone who thinks with his dick?