THE DEEDLE DEEDLE DEES “STRANGE DEES, INDEED”
A vaudevillian Twilight Zone of a CD that’s at times barbershop quartet smooth, Elmo’s World silly & interactive, and just plain odd. “Strange Dees, Indeed” is undeniably the Brooklyn band’s most sonically consistent work (hat tip to Dean Jones wonderful production) but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s virtuosic; The Deedle Deedle Dees are still the wrinkled linen to the pop world’s crushed velvet.
Dees’ frontman Lloyd Miller continues to play the role of kindie rock’s raspy throated Dylan, with political songs that predate Bob by upwards of 50 years. What we have here are 19th century themes and characters set to a kaleidoscope of early 20th century music, all for the pleasure and enlightenment of 21st century children. The Deedle Deedle Dees are like no other kid’s band in the world. Don’t believe me? What other children’s act includes a song titled “River of Blood” on their album? Don’t fret, it’s about the circulatory system. Geez.
You don’t need to be a history professor, history buff, or know your blood type to appreciate the living textbook approach The Deedle Deedle Dees have to music making. Theirs is the stuff of legend; those untold stories behind the stories and the names often overlooked in our country’s, ahem, advanced school system. This isn’t historical paint by numbers or boardwalk airbrush versions of our shared past. Nope, “Strange Dees, Indeed” is workshop stuff with insight, humor, and the attention to detail you’d expect from devoted craftsmen.
If you’re only musical history lesson was “in 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue” you are in for quite a treat, and a surprise, as Marie Curie, Cool Papa Bell, Henry Hudson, Abagail Adams, and more spring to life with raucous mostly-Americana musicianship, a punk rock spirit, and a true passion for education.
Discover the background of, and read through the lyrics for, each song on “Strange Dees, Indeed” here.
*OWTK received a copy of “Strange Dees, Indeed” for review consideration. The opinions above are honest and unbiased.
