I'm usually a bit skeptical when it comes to experimental music; while I respect all genres, it's all too frequently I am introduced to an experimental piece that makes my ears bleed. Too many artists like to make some noise with some random objects and call it "experimental," when they are doing little more than breaking plates and moving furniture, not to mention testing my patience.

Enter Donny Who Loved Bowling's "Tree Fort" into my CD player, and I am refreshed, pleasantly surprised, and at times, downright blown away.  What stands out about this recording is that it’s unlike some other experimental artists to whom I’ve been exposed (for instance that guy who played oven racks a few years back at the Lunar Café in Chicago) - it’s interesting and diverse. It’s also substantial, melodic, dramatic, a little silly, ironic, fun, and complex without being confusing. It’s the kind of stuff that lures, captivates, and really makes one wonder what’s going on inside the heads of these guys; for instance, who was inspired to write a song about cranberry sauce and start it with the sounds of a tuning orchestra and end with a canned laugh track in a (perhaps not so obvious to some) reference to the "Paul is dead" hoax?  Hilarious! Brilliant! And what’s really awesome is that from there I go from busting a gut to dancing around my living room to a totally hot, grooved-out cover of Yoko Ono's “Don’t Worry Kyoko (Mummy’s Just Looking for her Hand in the Snow).”  

There is just SO much going on here, but I don’t lose my patience or interest at all. While every track might not be for everyone (this is experimental, bear in mind), there is no denying the immense level of creativity and talent and imagination that Griffin and Petkus have poured into this project. Seriously excellent, and definitely worth adding to your collection.
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