I love this album.  I remember having a hell of a time tracking it down in the 90s and then simply devouring it.  It was everything I wanted music to be (and still is).  The arrangements are beautiful and the songs are packed with clever ideas and turns of phrase.    It calls to mind an even more cartoon-like Van Dyke Parks or even odd, angular Mingus songs like Weird Nightmare.  It makes me a little sad to think that the man behind it has stopped making music but at least we have this marvelous work.
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Though I'm sure the man himself won't believe it, the brief body of musical work recorded by Victor Banana has always been the most dependable source of inspiration for my own humble musical efforts.  His fantastic Velvet Glove soundtrack, which remains my favorite recording of all time, inspired me years ago to dust off the 4-track and start taking my own songs more seriously.  VB (or Neil Smythe, as he's known on this release) mines the rich history of sonic exploration in the classic hi-fi era to fortify his frighteningly creative pop compositions.  Even at his silliest, he's quite simply one of the most gifted songwriters ever to put tune to tape. Add my voice to the chorus that begs WHY?!?  Tim/Neil/Victor - WHY have you turned your back on this music?  For the life of me, I can't understand why you'd ever want to bury this beautiful work that's been so fulfilling to others.
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Just about the only pop pastiche inspired by the overwrought work of the 1970's musical lounge lizard and Great White Wimp known as Rupert "Pina Colada Song" Holmes.  Masquerading as the epic musings and doodlings of Aviator-glassed AM-radio-maestro Neil Smythe, this was masterminded by Tim Hensley of cult pop group Victor Banana.  Please, Tim, come back!  We need you!!!!
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