This first CD from the Michigan-based band Keyboard and Plastic Duck spent a long time simmering. Though the band has performed around the Traverse City area as Keyboard and Plastic Duck, the band's founder and creative force, Susan Gilbert, has come out from behind her alias, so they are now Susan Gilbert and Plastic Duck. Altogether there are ten songs, three poems, and a snippet, each one adding to the impression of a musical world that is multi-layered, ironic, colorful, and surreal. The 45-minute recording is billed as "homemade songs," as useful a category as any, as the songs draw from numerous musical sources.
The content ranges from "strange territory," a fitting flute-fired start to the collection; to "the dream about Fred," a song based on a performance-anxiety dream; and "funny dog," the title song, "I don't want to be too happy/ I just want some good reason for a grin/ some funny dog, sitting on my doorstep/ plucking on a mandolin..." These songs run the gamut of common (or uncommon) experience, seen with an off-kilter perspective. "Talking to Eleanor" stars a stamp version of Eleanor Roosevelt who comes to life "there by the wanted posters and the catalog trash"; "doorknob," accompanied by chanting from two of the Ducks, is a lament from an actual doorknob; "girlfriend," with harmony from Amanda Strong, expresses the universal longing for "something." The CD comes full circle with the difficult to explain but agreeably titled "cheerful humor," and "strange planet," with its maroon mist and floating purple poodles. There's a lot to keep thoughtful types entertained for a while.
The musical side of the band is equally creative, running the gamut from raucous to atmospheric. In addition to Susan's keyboard and piano, Plastic Duck includes Richard Curtis, who plays flute and alto sax, Nate Bynum, who comes in with bass, bass effects, and musical saw, and Bill Wagner, who adds an assortment of percussion--rattles, shakers, cans, whistles, and conga, providing a charming, elegant, and equally eccentric compliment to Susan's lyrics.
Bill Palladino recorded most of the tracks over a two-day session at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Traverse City. Patrick Niemisto recorded two of the songs at his studio, and Nate Bynum recorded and mixed "strange planet." Final work on the project, mixing, editing, and some additional recording, was done by Don Julin.
Complete lyrics are available to download at www.plasticduck.net/music.html.
Here are a few quotes from their former incarnation as Keyboard and Plastic Duck:
“Many musicians talk about being edgy, creative or that worst of all adjectives – ‘unique’ – but few succeed to the extent of Keyboard & Plastic Duck, who take creativity to its outer limit with oddball instruments, unusual rhythms and thoughtful, off-kilter songs of a quirky, whimsical nature…”
–Robert Downes, Northern Express
“Even if you didn't speak a word of English, this would be fascinating stuff, and the lyrics are as outrageously creative as the music. It's all out on the fringes of song, but somehow makes you feel right at home there. Everyone in this quartet is in love with sound, and so is elaborately gentle with it, whether lyrically or musically. As an experience, Keyboard and Plastic Duck is thoroughly delightful.”
–Peter Berryman, of Lou and Peter Berryman
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