I am a couple days later than usual with the next song annoucement, but it's still not June so we should be fine! As the weather is getting nicer, and people are taking advantage of the summer, I think the song should reflect that. This one is pretty wide-open and maybe a little cryptic, but I like it like that. For June we will be doing...
"Front Porch, West Virginia"
Wait, what? What does that mean? The real question is what does it mean to YOU? I think of a family bluegrass jam. But don't take my word for it, use whatever kind of association you have with the idea and run with it. RUN WITH IT!
Thank you to everyone who took the time to listen to April's Inappropriate Children's Songs! We had a very interesting group of songs, and I loved the diversity and range. When the voting came to a close, our winner was DANNY IMIG with his song FEED THE BIRDS TILL IT HURTS! I think Danny won some bonus points for using a real kids' instrument! It sounded like a xylophone with buttons, like this:
If you hadn't had a chance to listen to Danny's winning song, check it out here:
I'm a few days late this time around, but am very happy to be posting these ridiculous songs for your enjoyment! As you may remember, we were writing Children's Songs with "Adult themes" So basically, something that a children's song shouldn't be written about. I always enjoy doing silly songs like these and the songs all really jumped on this and ran with it! Have a listen and vote for your favorite below!
Brendon Burgess - Kookies
My comments: Brendon tells the tale of an evil baby in his song. He did a great job musically, to capture the children's songs feel. Throw in lyrics about an evil baby and you have just perfect juxtaposition. I really enjoy the cookie-eating ending, it just so over the top, I love it!
Rene Zansman - A comprehensive guide to female Shakespeare characters
My comments: This song has a really pretty, classical sound to it that I really enjoy. It works well as a children's song, since it is pretty enough to be a lullaby. Then kick in the lyrics about death and betrayal from Shakespeare's plays. Definitely not kid-friendly! I also love the rhyme in "Ophelia, is that really ya?" That's probably my favorite lyric from all of these songs!
Danny Imig - Feed the birds till it hurts
My comments: Danny turned in a real top-notch entry this month. The song is hilarious and the music really works well. When the xylophone (a kid's push button one, it sounds like), it just gets driven over the top. I think he was the only person who actually used a real child's instrument, so he gets bonus points! Oh, and apparently Mary Poppins IS a suspected communist plot according to google.
Brian Salapek - Debt
My comments: So here is the revised song, for anyone who heard the original. I decided it was just too much and redid it. Sure it's an inappropriate thing to sing to kids about debt. The whole idea that "When I grow up, I'm going to do whatever I want" is utterly shattered when the realization of how much debt an average person gets into.
Jonas Peterson and Jesse Denby - Out for a walk
My comments: What a weird song, I love it! It really does well with the children's genre, with that bouncy country bass line, and it just sounds so happy. In kick the Ween-ish vocals that start out ambiguous and end up full-on inappropriate, that dissolve each verse into a chaos. This song definitely stands on it's own, but that's what I like about it.
When it comes down to it, it gets kinda difficult picking genres anymore. We have done so many, leaving obscure ones that could potentially turn people off. So if a genre is reused (many of which get done once a year, almost), there should be ample spacing. Here's one we haven't done in a long time....
Genre: DISCO!
Subject: Animals (except for duck, that's been done)
Yep, Disco! The last time around, it was in August 2012, so I think more than enough time has passed. As far as the subject (optional, as always) it just seems funny. Sorry, but I can't write a serious song if my life depended on it. Good luck everyone! And here is a drawing of a disco ostrich from when we did disco last.
It doesn't happen too often, but when it does, it is well deserved on both sides. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a TIE! That's right! In the two weeks of voting, both Danny Imig and Jeff Coral received seven votes for their songs. I feel the struggle that resulted in the tie, both of these songs are great and the decision is a difficult one. Congratulations to both Danny and Jeff! Anyways! If you hadn't listened, check out these songs below. If you had heard them, have another listen!
For March, we decided to go with a genre that hadn't been done in a few years. Previously, we had Blues Songs about Buddy Christ, from the Kevin Smith movie Dogma. This time around the subject wasn't nearly as specific, it was "A gain and a loss" This seemed like an appropriate theme for blues music. As always, it is an optional subject. Anyways, we ended up with four cool songs. While I was listening to blues, to get some ideas for my song, I felt really disapointed, thinking that all blues songs sound the same. Well, each one of these songs is significantly different but all fit the criteria. I am very impressed with them all! Have a listen and vote your for favorite below!
Rene Zansman - I Lost My Bottom Dollar
My comments: Rene goes raunchy with his blues song and I just love the weird gruff and snotty sounding vocals. The guitars and harmonica work out really well too, giving it a great blues feel. It's upbeat, it's bluesy and it's definitely punk.
Jeff Coral - She Won't Play
My comments: Jeff is new to the game, with this being his second song. He has a really great sound, both with his vocals and guitar work, that naturally lends itself to blues. I can't put my finger on it exactly but the vocals remind me of 90's alternative. They have a kinda Stone Temple Pilots/Alice in Chains/Creed sort of a vibe to them that makes me nostalgic.
Danny Imig - Six String Highway (Wang Bar Blues)
My comments: Slide guitar! I love it! Danny grabs a bluesy aspect for his song that I never even thought of. It really has a cool Led Zeppelin feel to it and I really enjoy that about the song. What goes well with the song is envisioning Danny playing it with a lit cigarette in the strings on the head stock of the guitar and him playing slide with a Bic lighter.
Jen Robinson and Brian Salapek - A Gain and a Loss
My comments: I decided that a slow blues approach would be a nice direction to go with this song. I think it came out pretty well, even if it is very basic and standard. Jen did a nice job with the vocals and there is even a guest singer towards the end, that I decided not to edit out! It's definitely the slowest of the four songs, but still has a great blues feel.
March is starting to wind down, and it's time to announce what our next songs will be! I approached Jonas Peterson for a suggestion, after his reggae song did so well, and he had a great idea. So here you have it...
Genre: Children's Music
Optional Subject: An Adult Theme
So we will have a nice juxtaposition going on here, similar to when we did Children's music years ago. The Adult Theme is pretty open ended and can be whatever you want. As per Jonas' clarification, "divorce, funeral arrangements, genital health... lol" Great suggestion and idea. I love it and can't wait!
BONUS POINTS IF YOU USE REAL CHILDREN'S INSTRUMENTS!
