RPG Records
Family music entertainment act Rolie Polie Guacamole is scheduled to release its latest full-length studio recording Friday. The duo’s new album Avocado will come less than three years after the release of its latest album Houses of the Moly. The 13-song record is an enjoyable new offering from the duo – Frank Gallo and Andrew Tuzhilin – that listeners of all ages will appreciate. That is due in part to the record’s musical arrangements, which will be discussed shortly. The album’s lyrical themes also play into its appeal, and will be discussed a little later. The record’s sequencing rounds out its most important elements, and will also be addressed later. All three noted items are key in themselves to the whole of Avocado. All things considered, they make this latest offering from Rolie Polie Guacamole one more of this year’s top new family music albums.
The avocado, for those who might not know, is a very healthy food. Avocados provide antioxidants, and are loaded with vitamins and minerals. They’re also really good on burgers and with chicken. Now while Rolie Polie Guacamole’s new album Avocado might not offer any health benefits, it does offer audiences plenty of entertainment value for everyone. That is due in part to the album’s musical arrangements. The arrangements that make up the album’s body are varied, and will entertain grown-ups just as much as children. The album’s opener and its companion – which closes out the album – is a folksy sort of arrangement that hints slightly at a Ben Harper influence. One could also argue that the songs in question have a hint of a country music sort of sound. ‘Ay Batta Batta,’ the record’s second entry, presents an arrangement that even with its rock elements, also very much conjures thoughts of Devo. One can also sing in the verses, “Whip it/Whip it real good” nearly precisely. ‘Basketball Jane’ pays tribute to Sugar Hill Gang and its hit song, ‘Rapper’s Delight.’ ‘Fire Truck’ is an upbeat rock tune that will leave any listener clapping along. ‘Dancing on the Sun,’ believe it or not, presents an arrangement in is verses, that is comparable to works from punk band Dropkick Murphys. The overall presentation, meanwhile, lends itself to fellow family entertainment act Josh & The Jamtones’ ‘Bear Hunt’ in the best way possible. The enjoyment doesn’t stop there. ‘iScream’ gives audiences a light southern rock vibe through its arrangement, while ‘Sammi the Cat’ conjures thoughts of some of the great singer-songwiter storyteller types, like Pete Seeger. The only song that will leave listeners scratching their head is the duo’s take of ‘Jungle Bells.’ Yes, for some reason, a winter/holiday-themed song found its way into this record in the form of ‘Jingle Bells.’ It is completely out of place here. As out of place as it is, it still presents a catchy arrangement that stays true to its source material while also giving the song its own unique identity. Taking into considering the diversity in the album’s musical content (including the content not directly addressed), the record’s musical arrangements show clearly here why they are so important to the album’s presentation. They are just one part of what makes the album notable. The record’s lyrical themes play their own important part to its whole.
The lyrical themes featured throughout Avocado run the gamut. As noted already, Gallo and Tuzhilin take on the classic ‘Jingle Bells’ in this album. It’s a song about going for a ride through the snow by way of horse-pulled sleigh. Again, it is completely out of place here, but is still enjoyable. ‘Dancing on the Sun’ takes listeners throughout the solar system, from Earth all the way to Pluto. Yes, Pluto gets respect here. ‘Pizza Pie’ pays tribute to pizza, one of America’s most beloved foods. ‘Ay Batta Batta’ is a tribute to Amerrica’s pastime. One can only hope that Major League Baseball will get up and running this year, but that’s a story for another discussion. ‘Basketball Jane’ meanwhile, is a tribute to basketball that also encourages young women to get involved in the sport. ‘iScream,’ just by its title hints at a commentary about technology, but the reality is that it is in fact just about ice cream and the love for the sweet, frozen treat. Who out there doesn’t love ice cream? Simply put, this is another way in which the diverse lyrical content featured throughout this record proves its own importance. The very diversity and the fact that the themes are family friendly makes the record even more appealing. Together with the equally enjoyable musical arrangements, the record’s content makes it well worth hearing at least once. When the record’s content is considered along with the sequencing of said content, the album becomes that much more enjoyable.
In examining the sequencing of this record, audiences will note that ‘Avocado’ and its refrain bookend the presentation, opening and ending the presentation slowly and casually. In-between those casual notes, Gallo and Tuzhilin offer audiences balanced energy from beginning to end as well as varied themes. ‘Ay Batter Batter’ ups the album’s energy and is couple wisely with another sports-themed song in ‘Basketball Jane,’ which is more laid back, but still upbeat in its own right. ‘Fire Truck’ and ‘Dancing on the Sun’ keep the record’s lyrical themes and energy changing, but still manages to balance everything out and in turn, keep everyone engaged and entertained. ‘A Quiet Song,’ which effectively serves as the record’s midpoint, is fittingly titled and placed. That is because it is in fact quiet and relaxed. It serves as a good way to break up the energy in the record’s sequencing. The duo gradually picks things back up again eventually as the record makes its way through ‘Aquacafe’ and into ‘Pizza Pie’ and then ‘iScream.’ The record’s energy gradually starts falling again in ‘Persevering Penguins and Pals’ and even more into ‘Sammi The Cat.’ The record’s final burst of energy comes in that aforementioned surprise addition of ‘Jingle Bells.’ Looking back through all of this, what is clear is that the record’s energy rises and falls at all of the right points, and the lyrical themes change just enough from beginning to end. The end result is that the record ensures audiences’ engagement. When this is considered along with the album’s content, the result is that the record becomes a musical treat for the ears and mind just as avocados are their own treat for the body.
Rolie Polie Guacamole’s forthcoming album Avocado is another appealing record that is certain to leave its own good taste in listeners’ mouths. Yes, that awful pun was intended. That is due in part to the record’s musical arrangements. The arrangements will appeal just as much to grown-ups as to children, as has been pointed out here. The lyrical themes that accompany the record’s musical contents add even more to the record’s appeal. That is because they are just as accessible for any listener as the record’s musical arrangements. The sequencing of all of that content puts the finishing touch to the record. Each item noted is important in its own right. All things considered, they make Avocado another positive offering from Rolie Polie Guacamole.
More information on this and other recordings from Rolie Polie Guacamole is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Website: http://www.roliepolieguacamole.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/roliepolieguac
Twitter: http://twitter.com/roliepolieguac
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