Quintron--The Frog Tape
Rhinestone Records/Skin Graft Records 2004
Originally released years ago on cassette format via Miss Pussycat's Rhinestone Records imprint, Quintron's Halloween opus The Frog Tape has finally been issued on CD. In terms of his other output, this disc is closer to the wonderfully weird and experimental, a la the Drum Buddy Demonstration Record, than to houserocking party platters such as These Hands Of Mine. Still, you do get a little bit of both sides to the equation throughout this listen.
On the bizarre end of the spectrum, The Frog Tape boasts two very remarkable tracks. First, the centerpiece of the entire album "Frogs." Nothing more than a fourteen and a half minute field recording of what sounds like thousands of frogs chirping out in the swamp, this one puts out a strangely hypnotic vibe that's a bit unnerving. Then, there's the brilliant "Backwards." This cut starts with Quintron explaining a modification he has made to his organ's volume control in order to give it the effect of a record being played backwards. Most people would simply utilize a reverse reverb for this purpose but Quintron's ingenuity certainly pays off, here--the sound is much more natural and closer to the real thing than if the signal had been digitally manipulated.
For music that's considerably more immediate and easier for the casual listeners to get their heads around, The Frog Tape serves up several tasty instrumentals. "Horror" and "Mood" stick closest to the platter's Halloween theme, each proving to be just a tad creepy sounding. Then, there's "Scary Office," which sounds like what you'd be hearing at a luau in hell. The melody Quintron hammers out on this one seem vaguely reminiscent of "The Girl From Ipanema." "No Love" and a cover of "Stray Cat Strut" take top honors for sheer dance party fun.
If you're hip to Quintron already, you probably know what you're getting with The Frog Tape. For those just discovering his genius, please note that there are easier and more appropriate ways to ease yourself into his magical music. After all, this effort is more or less intended to be a sound effects and mood setting device for Halloween festivities. To that end, it's just as successful now as when it originally came out. One of the cooler holiday themed releases ever.
Score this CD directly from SKIN GRAFT
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