A spawling epic tour de force of a pop album.  Smart Alec's style is unique, but clearly influenced by They Might Be Giants, XTC, The Beatles, Oingo Boingo, Randy Newman, and Tom Waits.  The songs are catchy, beautifully arranged, with clever lyrics.  Smart Alec never takes imself too seriously, which is part of his charm.  Stand out tracks include She's Not You (with a guitar riff worthy of George Harrison), Show Me Yours, Hey, You Kids (featuring the ukelele), and New Hope For Small Men.  Disc 2 plays like the soundtrack to a film I'd love to see.  And, disc 3 is definitley worth sending away for.
                            Read more...
                        

                            
Thank God! Here is an album that jumps out of the pop box. It's radically fun, beautifully produced and devoid of a mainstream sound. The lyrics offer up some strange outlooks on life which can only be described as mental slapstick.  The instrumentals are skillful, creative, complex and twisted.  It is a five pound box of evocative and tasty brain candy you can enjoy without guilt for smiling.  The only thing "in the box" about this music is what it comes in!
                            Read more...