Flossie and the Unicorns--The Animals' Clubhouse
Rhinestone Records/Skin Graft Records 2001
Have you ever had a tape that you just loved and played to death till it was dragging and warped sounding? Did you then, from time to time, pop it in and give it a spin because you kind of liked the strange new sounds coming from the stereo? If so, imagine someone coming along and being able to to harness and control that cool, warped sound. Then, imagine that person creating out-of-this-world puppet shows using this gift. Thankfully, you don't have to imagine all of this--it's a reality with the new Flossie and the Unicorns album, The Animals' Clubhouse.
This essential album is the brainchild of Miss Pussycat, top-notch puppeteer from New Orleans. Flossie and the Unicorns are the coolest band in the magical forrest. The Animals' Clubhouse collects the audio tracks to four puppet shows which chronicle the adventures of the forrest's various inhabitants. In "The Bee's Secret Formula," you discover why monsters can't make honey. Absent friends are never far away on "Ghost T.V."--as long as your set is haunted. The witches start "Magic Crystal Records" to give the woodland creatures a chance to rock--plus, they're bored with all their favorite records and need something to do. To top it all off, "The Animals' Clubhouse" provides you with the coolest adaptation of the Noah's Ark story, ever. All in all, it is a wonderful, weird, warped, and sweet listen that never fails to bring a smile to your face.
Of all those adjectives, "sweet" is probably the most important. While there are great moments of sarcasm and subtle humor in these stories, there is an innocence to the proceedings that gives The Animals' Clubhouse its magic. Older folks may marvel at the technical brilliance and originality of someone creating no wave/space rock/psychedelic soundtracks to puppet shows--and it is amazing. However, everyone can appreciate the imaginative stories contained within that framework--there are no boundaries to the appeal of this stuff.
While there is no match for getting to see one of Miss Pussycat's puppet shows live, The Animals' Clubhouse will certainly help ease the void till the next time she rolls through your town. This record should be a manditory addition to everyone's record collection. Miss Pussycat is a true original and nobody else could do what she does, the way she does it. An imaginative, warm-hearted listen from one of the most imaginative, warm-hearted people, ever.
Score this LP directly from SKIN GRAFT
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