Pere Ubu Breath August 18, 1989

A little jarring to see a band as weird as avant-punks Pere Ubu playing a song this conventionally satisfying; take out those fluttering UFO synths in the background, and "Breath" could practically be a Rick Springfield jam. "Breath" remains essential viewing because of the interminably anxious presence of David Thomas — twitching, flailing, constantly beating his chest — giving the song and performance an oddly thrilling tension, and ensuring the band could never get that popular. Probably for the best.