VARIOUS ARTISTS
See You On The Moon
Paper Bag records
· Cool bands do songs for kids.
This compilation is surprisingly good. While the songs included are unquestionably written for children, they also include just enough kicks to appeal to music fans of all ages. With brand new exclusive tracks by Broken Social Scene, Sufjan Stevens, The Junior Boys, Kid Koala, Mark Kozalek and a score of others, See You on the Moon is predictably hit and miss, but a sturdy success overall.
The CD starts off strong with longtime Low member Alan Sparhawk’s silly sing-along "Be Nice to People with Lice." Accompanied by the handclaps and hoo-haws of friends in the studio, the short opener sounds like a Calvin Johnston take on Schoolhouse Rock. Next up, the Great Lake Swimmers contribute the highly hummable title track, with a chorus that will wedge its way into your brain. Suf-yawn’s "The Friendly Beasts" is on third, and while I personally can’t get down, any fans of his orchestral, heart-on-its-sleeve concept album Illinois, will likely be all over it.
After the short "Kiddo 1" interlude by Montag, the album launches into its strangest song – "24 Robbers" by Apostle of Hustle and The Husky’s. For a possible reference point, imagine, if you can, Konono N°1 fronted by a chorus of two-year-olds. From here we get Broken Social Scene’s slow, stoned-sounding and somewhat annoying cover of "Puff the Magic Dragon," followed by another dud, The Fembots’ failed Tom Waits impression "Under the Bed."
Mark Kozalek’s "Leo And Luna" is naturally sparse and subtle, with his usual melancholy voice and guitar accompanied by a few friendly xylophone lines. Current buzz-band Hot Chip contribute the four-minute moody muddle "I Can’t Wake Up," but by sounding much more like Coldplay here than their usual New Order inspired electro-pop, this track is actually somewhat of a disappointment. Same for Kid Koala’s "Fruit Belt."
And regardless, the best song here, without a doubt, is the Junior Boys’ "Max." Sounding like a slightly happier than usual B-side to their brilliant debut Last Exit, this track contains the now familiar understated electronic pulse and evocative vocal-work of front man Jeremy Greenspan. Hopefully, this excellent track provides a hint at the direction of a future full-length.
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