It’s that time of year again; time for turkeys to scrounge for good hiding spots (better than the ones their buddies used last year) and for the unfortunate folks who work retail to start rolling out of bed at 4:00 A.M. That’s right, it’s year-end list time! A couple things […]
CASPAR BABYPANTS “THIS IS FUN! The Sound: Sticky & delicious silver dollar pop pancakes for your ears from Presidents of the United States of America singer Chris Ballew. Best Moments: “Googly Eyes” (video below) succinctly encapsulates the endless possibilities of a kiddie arts & crafts experience. Anyone who can include […]
FRANCES ENGLAND “MIND OF MY OWN” The Sound: Blissful pop; sometimes powerful, sometimes tranquil, always adorable. In the Cafeteria, She Sits With: Lunch Money, Bari Koral, Brian Vogan Best Moments: Indie darlings Mates of State lend their harmonious voices to the fuzzy yet fierce, kinda-agitated punk rock-ish chorus “Some people […]
FLANNERY BROTHERS “THE NEW EXPLORERS CLUB” The Sound: Giddy, acoustic pop-rock. In the Cafeteria, They Sit With: Dog on Fleas, Todd Wees, Ratboy Jr. Best Moments: Relying on nothing more than a barely mic-ed ukulele strum, some whistling, and the expansive wonder of the blue sea, “Sea Glass” glistens. The […]
The Sound: Classic American folk music. In the Cafeteria, They Sit With: Dan Zanes, Pete Seeger, Laura Doherty Best Moments: Serving as more of a mantra than a song, “Keep on the Sunny Side” once again proves irresistible. In today’s hectic, oft crazy world, the simply refrain of the century+ […]
If every song for grown-ups hinges it’s cred on it’s general proximity to sexual themes, failed romance, and a songwriter’s struggle with his/her religious upbringing (sometimes taking a break for a veiled political statement) then every kid’s album has it’s roots in lessons, friendship, animals, and, occasionally, the preschool drama […]
BILLY KELLY “IS THIS SOME KIND OF JOKE?” The Sound: Tongue-in-cheek pop-rock meant for singing, laughing and pondering. In the Cafeteria, They Sit With: Recess Monkey, Caspar Babypants, They Might Be Giants Best Moments: The album’s closer, “Johnny Box,” is a classic American story-song of despair, a search for purpose, […]
The Sound: Contemporary indie pop-rock with Harry Nilsson’s “The Puppy Song” & “Spaceman” as the musical template and author William Steig as a lyrical muse. In the Cafeteria, They Sit With: David Tobocman, The Jellydots Best Moments: The meaning of “Green Eleven” is a complete mystery to me, yet the […]
