Carstairs Considers....: Music Review: 25 Favorite Silly Songs

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Music Review: 25 Favorite Silly Songs

Stars: 5 out of 5
Pros: Many very funny song all will enjoy
Cons: A few are only okay, and not all silly songs here
Bottom Line:
Larry and others
Sing songs that will make you laugh
Disc well worth getting

Creative and Funny Silly Songs on This Ape...I Mean CD

A few years back, I was wishing that VeggieTales would release a new disc of their silly songs. I must not have been the only one since not too long afterward I found 25 Favorite Silly Songs! And it's just what I wanted.

The silly songs are a fan favorite section of each VeggieTales video, and they are just what they sound like. Occasionally, they might have a slight connection to the video (okay, there's only one time I can really think of). Most of the time, they are just a chance to be…well…silly.

The disc starts off with the classics. While personally, I wouldn't have minded if they'd been skipped since they were part of an older disc I already have, I can see why they were included. I mean, really, how can you have a disc of favorite silly songs without including the one that started it all, "The Water Buffalo Song." And so many of those early ones are classics (and at almost 20 years old, it's not too much off base to say that). There's "The Hairbrush Song," "The Dance of the Cucumber," and "The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything." They play around with other genres a bit with the 70's ballad "His Cheeseburger" and the mash up of barbershop quartet with yodeling that is "The Yodeling Veterinarian of the Alps."

But I was thrilled to get some of the newer songs in my collection. This part of the disc starts out with "Belly Button," which introduces the boy band The Boyz in the Sink. We learn all about homophones in "School House Polka." I thought that one might not be as funny without the words on the screen, but it still works well.

And if you want to talk about funny, you can't go wrong with "Larry's Blues." Blind Lemon Lincoln tries to help Larry sing the blues, but it doesn't work out all that well. Parents will definitely be able to identify with "Goodnight Junior" as Junior Asparagus tries everything he can delay bedtime. Bob and Larry go hunting for a "Monkey" or an ape and Larry teaches Bob the difference between the two. (Hint, if it doesn't have a tail it's not a monkey it's an ape. And it doesn't matter what it is, if it doesn't have a tail it's an ape.) We are treated to a home shopping network selling "Pants." We learn the newest dance craze, "The Hopperena." And Larry does a fine Elfish impression with "My Baby Elf."

Since there are only 25 tracks, not all the silly songs are on here. Personally, I miss "Sippy Cup." Surely we could have done without "Endangered Love" or "Larry's High Silk Hat." Definitely "The New and Improved Bunny Song" should have given up a spot since it's not really a silly song at all. On the other hand, I certainly don't miss "Gated Community" or "Sports Utility Vehicle."

While there is certainly some variety of styles, the songs really do have a similar feel. They're fairly simple with mainly piano and guitar behind them, although they do throw in a few other instruments when the occasion calls for it. But these songs are aimed at kids and from an animated show about singing vegetables. Really, if you are expecting anything other than what you get, you'll be disappointed.

Not that the singing is bad. I'm constantly amazed that the voice actors hit the notes well while still staying in character.

If you are looking for a little silliness for your music collection, this is the disc to get. And if you already know just how much fun VeggieTales silly songs can be, definitely pick up 25 Favorite Silly Songs!

CD Length: 1:16:50

Tracks:

1. The Water Buffalo Song

2. The Hairbrush Song

3. The Dance of the Cucumber

4. The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything

5. Love My Lips

6. Song of the Cebu

7. His Cheeseburger

8. The Yodeling Veterinarian of the Alps

9. The New and Improved Bunny Song

10. Endangered Love