Album Notes

The more I listen to the Mold Monkies, the more I like them. They play shameless power pop, often with silly, clever, imaginative lyrics, sung by an array of boyish, feel-good voices and strummed in a jangly manner by experienced guys who really knew what they were going for ... Tracks alternate between the band’s two main songwriters, Russell Shaddox and Nick Appleby (also of the Jellyshirts), with a cover of Billy Bragg’s “A New England” thrown in. Shaddox’s “Hobo Rocket” hypothesizes what would happen if one was to strap a rocket onto a hobo’s belt. Appleby’s “Sick Puppy” tells the story of a stalker named Henry, describing the methods by which he pursues his obsession. It’s fun stuff, but clever fun (as opposed to annoying fun). A Chutes and Ladders-style game (designed by Appleby’s brother Steven Appleby, a well-known British cartoonist), featuring the soon-to-be-legendary hobo rocket, is included with the CD art. —Mike Sembos, New Haven Advocate, 4/21/10