It isn't often that you'll hear me talking about Blue Balls or Cockblocking... but these are serious issues in serious times. Sure, hope & change are upon us, but, what about the issues of the little man??
Well, these problems are brought to our attention in the debut album from Los Angeles based "comedy rock" band The Fresh.
Sure, you might be thinking "'Comedy Rock' band? Gigglechick, I take my rock seriously. I don't want some sort of Weird Al wanna-bes in my cd player or ipod or mp3 player of choice"
Don't worry. I would not steer you wrong. When I heard them described as "Comedy Rock" I was skeptical at first as well. As I popped in the CD "The Self-Titled Debut Album" for the first time (keep in mind, I was with my friend Cathy in my MINI and we had a good hour or so to drive to Atlantic City to see *gulp* Madonna ... free tickets, what more can I say?) I was pleasantly surprised...
First, I was surprised because many times I am sent items to review and it's just painful to listen to and you want to go find whoever sent you the thing, hug them and say "please. stop."
HOWEVER... from the first strains of "Blue Balls", I had a smile on my face.
Okay, um, that sounds like an inappropriate statement.
Here's the thing, first you're expecting "comedy" --- but, THESE GUYS CAN FRIGGING PLAY!! Seriously.
I've been listening to this CD pretty much non-stop over the past week and a half. Between the music and the lyrics... HAVE I MENTIONED THE LYRICS?
So smart. So funny. Every time I listen to this album, I'm hearing something new in the lyrics or little items in the background and I wind up guffawing.
But, best of all, I find myself singing these songs in the shower or just as I'm lollygagging around the house... or, um, I will let you know that I wound up singing "Cockblocking" to myself in my head the other night as a lullaby...
But wait - there is SO much more to The Fresh's "The Self-Titled Debut Album" than "Blueballs" or "Cockblocking"
I'm going to go through each song...
Track 1 - BLUEBALLS...
As a woman, I don't understand the excruciating pain that blue balls seems to render on a fella (and I, being a kind-hearted girl, prides herself on never leaving a guy in that state...) But, after listening to the lyrics, one can understand what might be going on in some suitor's head when this happens... The music rocks. It conveys the frustration of said condition -- and the chords stick in your head... Yes, I have belted out "BLUUUUUE BALLLS!" as I've driven to the Dunkin' Donuts drive-thru...
Track 2 - MAN LOVE
The Fresh really had me with their bass and rhythm here. Okay... I might just stop trying to be a music critic here... I don't know a hell of a lot about instruments and all of that mumbo-jumbo. BASICALLY, this song just made me want to move - as in dance around and have fun. I know what I like in music and this is it. Let me stick with the comedy review. The song is about the Guy Crush a.k.a. Man Love... but not in a "gay way". Fellas, you know that you totally have a man crush on 007 or Kobe Bryant. But it's not like you want to, you know...
I'm not delving into the specifics of the lyrics, because I want each line to be a delicious surprising little morsel of goodness when you hear it.
Track 3 - HOLLYWOOD SONG
Here is a nice, fun little poppy tune. About Hollywood. It has been playing in my head - as well as in my car - over and over. In a good way (not in the "please kill me" way.) The way the music is mixed throughout this song just makes me happy. I sound like a freak writing this don't I? It's a bouncy little song that is filled with wise-arsery and I love it. It's SOOOOOOOO GOOD.
Track 4 - SHILOH NOUVEL
This is a song about The One. When you listen to it, you will know who they are talking about and you will worship her after hearing it. In my opinion, this track has a hint of reggae flavour to it (without it being an annoying reggae song). Let's just say that it has to do with one of the most beautiful children on the planet. Again, one of the songs that accompanies me as I am feeding the dog in the morning or walking to the mailbox. It's stuck in my head. Stuck - and I don't want it to escape.
Track 5 - PUPPIES & BABIES
Okay, before you think I've been paid $10K for drooling over this album, I will let you know that this song is sort of my least favourite track on here. It's silly and a bit screamy - which, when you think about it, it's pretty damned funny that they're screeching about Puppies and Babies. It's not my favourite, but, it's still fun to listen to.
Track 6 - UNICORN'S HORN
Let me preface this by saying that the day I listened to this song, a friend of mine had passed away that morning. He was an Irish singer who used to sing "The Unicorn Song" (TOTALLY DIFFERENT SONG THAN THIS ONE)... So it took me a week before I could listen to the word "Unicorn" without getting misty. Once I was able to put all my focus on this "Unicorn's Horn" track, I was able to giggle like a, well, like a gigglechick. It's silly and has a twist in the lyrics that made me scream "Oh Sweet Jaysus!" It did take me a couple of listens to really have it grow on me.
Track 7 - YVONNE GOES POSTAL
The title is pretty self-explanatory about what this is about. We've all had a strange bird as a co-worker at one time or another (if you haven't, you might be that strange bird). You know, the kind that makes you sort of have a "we might die" feeling in your stomach about. This song is about Yvonne. It also has a great beat (Okay. I am no Dick Clark, but, it really does.)
Track 8 - UNTITLED (STEADY POUND)
Throw out your Barry White/Get The Chick Into Bed songs that you have stored in your bachelor arsenal. This is a, dare I say, sexy little song. Coincidentally, it's about someone looking for that "steady pound". That means intercourse, kids. It's a nice bluesy, bass-filled 6:22 minute song. It has grown on me the more I listen.
Track 9 - TWO BUCK CHUCK
To me, this has a slight Cracker-esque feel to it... it's a little over a minute long (which is probably a little longer than Two Buck Chuck really lasts.)
Track 10 - COCKBLOCKING
The smooth sounds of The Fresh combine the music and the lyrics here to create what might be my favourite song on the album. [PSA: Cockblocking is an epidemic - which doesn't just happen to guys.] Cathy (who I mentioned earlier) and I were driving and belting the chorus to this out while making up dance moves to it. I don't know who Daryl is, but, he needs to chill. Who is Daryl??? Seriously, you need to buy this CD and listen to it.
Yes, I know the word "cockblocking" may not be your cup of tea. No, I cannot really stand there cooking dinner for Gigglemom while singing "Bitches and Hoes, Jocks and Bros, Cockblockin'" --- I mean, personally, I COULD, but, Gigglemom would burst into tears.
Everything about this song just makes me grin, laugh, sing and do little dance movements to it. Highly Recommend!!
Track 11 - TOGETHER ALONE (TOGETHER FOREVER)
If I were to get married at some point, I'm thinking that this would be a good wedding song for me. It's a "stalkery", pretty little track. Yes. It is funny. Very, VERY funny.
Track 12 - PLOWTOWN
The music is great. 90% of the lyrics crack me up. The song is still growing on me (I'm not thrilled with the "Girl I'm Gonna Stretch You Out" line, because it just creeps me out.) I like it more than Puppies & Babies though.
Track 13 - SAVE THE WORLD
This seems to be The Fresh's answer to Band Aid's "Feed the World" --- but hipper and not just about feeding the hungry. They are saving EVERYTHING. This is also one of the songs that I keep finding new layers within the lyrics. Just kills me. Good funny, funny stuff.
Okay --- so, you've now witnessed the Gigglechick CD Review for The Fresh "The Self-Titled Debut Album"
My review doesn't do them justice. I want everyone to go and check them out.
BECAUSE I'VE BEEN CHARMED BY THIS CD and The Fresh, I AM GOING TO HOLD A LITTLE CONTEST...
I'VE GOT AN EXTRA COPY OF THE CD THAT I WILL GIVE AWAY TO ONE RANDOM COMMENTER WITHIN THIS POST USING A NEWFANGLED PROGRAM THAT SHAKES UP COMMENTS AND PULLS A NAME BY THE LUCK OF THE DRAW.
SO COMMENT HERE AND WHEN I PICK THE WINNER, I WILL ASK THAT PERSON FOR THEIR ADDRESS VIA EMAIL (you need to post your valid email address in the entry field)
THE DEADLINE FOR COMMENT ENTRIES IS THIS FRIDAY - DECEMBER 5th @ 11:59PM PACIFIC (That's the West Coast, Kids)
I'll post & contact the winner on Saturday.
In the meantime... go check them out.
Check out The Fresh online:
• http://www.myspace.com/thefreshmusic
Let me tell you about the guys in The Fresh - first off, from what it looks like, they are easy on the eyes (which always helps.)
"Formed in 2004, The Fresh is compromised of Massachusetts singer/lead guitarist John Fulton, Rhode Island Bassist Kurt Morgan, LA native percussionist Dean Mucetti on drums, and Ohio funnyman Jack Voorhies on Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar.
Their backgrounds range from backing up popular recording artists on tour to performing improvisation at Hollywood's prestigious IO West."
Okay, I stole that from their bio.
HERE IS THE FRESH SINGING "COUGAR" (which is not on the album):
UPDATE!!!: the contest is over! and I've posted the winner here....
Welcome to the YapFest (53 yapped)
Sounds good! Sign me up!
PICK ME.
This is so much better that the new Guns and Roses album, and I am sure it didn't take 17yrs to make! Love the music Gigglechick! Keep these great reviewed coming!
Cougar! hahahaha love it.
well, you've certainly got me intrigued. good review.
NOTE FROM GC:*comment deleted because of length and it had nothing to do with the post. dude, come on.*
oohh, oohh, oohh, pick me! pick me! I love this group! I love the "Cougar" song!!!!
Hilarious!!! Thanks for posting this, I can't wait to hear more from these guys
Excellent Review! I do apologize for the long poem.
Oooh--the random number generator! Love it!! Pick me, pick me, pick me!!! I can't use four exclamation points, can I???? Ah, question marks!
My best to gigglemom!
I've heard a lot of new bands in the past few years and none of them come close to the talent and overall quality of music put out by the FRESH. Definitely an album to out in the cd case.
ooohhh! I wanna win! :)
That was decidedly different and unique
Great review! I'm going to check itunes for this album.
I'm in!
Cool... I need to pass this along to my husband, he'll get a kick out of this band! Hope the random prize picker picks me! Thanks for the review, Erin. Have a great weekend.
Very cool - love the part about Ashton and Demi.
omg, LOL.....listening to the Cougar song right now :)
you have me so very intrigued now, I have to hear some more of them! Hey, I hope I am the one to WIN!
OMG! Way too funny. I'm listening it Cougar right now.
That's the most comments I've seen in a while!!
The cougar song is hilarious....sounds very cool will be checking out more....always looking for something other than a gift card for my brothers...this may work.
Me! Me! Pick Me!!!!!!!!!!!
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If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
Great site. Good info.
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
I want to say - thank you for this!