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05 August 2005 |
Duplex Ablum! - (Mint Records) Not being 8, I really can't say whether or not this collection of kiddie music would make me forget my latest Lego project. No, wait...it wouldn't. How do I know that for sure? Well, over the years I've discovered and practiced a talent called "patience" and if I can't get through Ablum! in one sitting now I sure as hell couldn't back then! Whether catering to an audience of wee ones or just creating a novelty CD for the indie-set, Ablum! comes off mostly as an indulgence - and idea born out of "wouldn't it be great if..." and we end up with Veda Hille playing alongside kids with rattles. Some of it does work - notably the ska-bounce of "DNA" and the cool "Freaky Rhesus", but most of what we have here are failed attempts at silly - the vaudeville styled "Bethlehem", an attempt at an anthem in "Yr Mama" where the band sounds positively bored, and an ode to "Pooing And Peeing" that doesn't even work as comedy. And what exactly is the point of hearing "You're the best little boy in the world" chanted over and over? Okay, maybe I'm Uncle Nasty And Serious, but Ablum! is like an in-joke. If you need a kiddie fix, you're better off with Bloodshot Records' The Bottle Let Me Down compilation, They Might Be Giants' NO!, or Confidential Recordings' compilation from the outstanding kids radio show Greasy Kid Stuff - all a lot more fun. |
