Optiganally Yours - Exclusively Talentmaker
(Absolutely Kosher)
It seems Pea Hix and Rob Crow have decided that the Optigan was so 1997,
and so they've decided to recorded this album without the use of any
Optigans at all. Instead, as the title suggests, they use an instrument
called the Chilton Talentmaker.
Over all, the album sounds similar to the last
record, but the songwriting is a little less quirky with the exception
of "Poodleman," which is about a guy who gives Rob a mullet while he's
unconscious. Of course since Rob wrote the lyrics, quite a few more
are silly, but as is also the case with Rob, he manages to make inane
lyrics sound great.
The opening track, "Oar," is the strongest on the
album and easily my favorite Optiganally Your's song. It has an obvious
Three Mile Pilot twist to it which suggests that Robs's band Pinback
(with AB Smith IV of Three Mile Pilot) is influencing his other projects.
"Guitar Song" is an instrumental that is also reminiscent of Pinback.
"Song for America" is the perfect song to end the album with. It's a
great song for hearing how well Rob makes vocal parts interact. The
music is a deep, fully synthesized sound. The song builds tension for a
few minutes, then Rob starts talking over the top of it in a really
dramatic talking voice. It ends on a funny note, which makes sense
since this is Optiganally Yours. This album would be the perfect listen
for a nice breezy day in California.
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