Customer Reviews

Songs for Tomorrow Morning

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first heard "Food for Rent" on a college radio show in Boston; at the time, I was in an acapella group myself, and we were having a heck of a time arranging an XTC song. Since then I have purchased six Bobs albums, been to four concerts and seen them at several festivals for shorter sets, but this album is still my favorite (don't knock the first album, though -- it is a bit more performance-art in style but makes for an excellent collection counterpart to this album).

The Laundry Cycle is exquisite -- you'll find yourself putting the 45 second "Where does the Wayward Footwear Go" on that last little bit of extra space at the end every mix tape you make. The shorter food-themes duo on the other side is fun, too; between them, the country-fied "Corn Dogs" and the more classical romp of "Food to Rent" showcase the breadth and depth of the original "Bob Four." Overall, a consistent and enjoyable album which makes for a good introduction to the work of the Bobs or the crowning glory of a full collection (you mean you have all their cover albums but you don't have this one?)

The singing is good. That said, most songs were not clever and many are overtly political and suck the fun out of the CD.
The connection to NPR made by another reviewer makes sense -- The Bobs were marketing themselves -- but I expect gentle kidding and silly situations in this genre. "Paper or Plastic" is a great example, clever, well-executed. Download that song if you can and skip the rest of this CD...unless you just love a capella music for the harmonies.

This is the album that made the Bobs one of the top a cappella groups. Their bizarre humor and close harmony make a great match, and songs like "First I was a hippie, then I was a stockbroker, now I am a hippie again" are light poke at today's issues while still getting caught in your head.

I also really like their new album, "Coaster." Both are highly recommended.

If you know The Bobs, then there isn't much more that needs to be said. This is another great compilation of silly and yet truly skilled singing. I've had this album (in cassette form first) since 1989, and Dictator in a Polo Shirt, Share a Load, and the rest still make me smile - even giggle - as I'm singing along. Great fun!

This was the third album by the Bobs, featuring their orginal lineup. It opens with their great version of the Beatles' "You Can't Do That". Then we have "The Laundry Cycle", which is five songs about... laundry. Then there are nine more originals songs, most of which are excellent. I especially like "Food to Rent" and "Paper or Plastic". "Golly, Ollie!" is somewhat dated, being about Oliver North. Bobs fans should own this album.

'Santa Ana Woman' is their best song ever. Noir, humor, complete story in 3 minutes and vocal amazement. Plus, in this case, love emotion and a little adventure. 'Corn Dogs' is one fun song about a couple who used to eat anything but as they age the lady becomes a lactovegetarian while the guy's still into red meat. Funny, even touching. I never tire hearing the song over the decades. A great take on the battle of the bulge and food in the relationship of a couple. Another steller musically performed song as well. Always fun when the bass is the lead singer.

Plus, 'Boy Around the Corner', 'But Then, A Week Ago Last Thursday' are all some of the finest examples of their work. 'But Then,...' is such a fun song lyrically. The lead vocalist, the first to leave the band, in this case mostly after this album, Gunner Bob, man, that guy has a gift. When he's doing the lead on a song he is able to create a character, typically somehow funny, for the song. And his voice is animated, usually doing something vocally silly. A song that's satisfying even decades after first hearing it.

This could be called their best album. Still, be safe, simply purchase all four of their first albums, this one (1988), their first, self titled (1983), My I'm Large (1987) and Sing the Songs of...(1991).

You cannot go wrong assuming you love impressive a cappella vocal arrangements, humor, sometimes great emotion and funny stories with subjects that yer surprised you never heard of in other modern entertainment, movies, records or TV. Yup. chrisbct@hotmail.com

This was the first Bobs CD I ever owned, and it's still my favorite. "First I Was A Hippie" is an absolute classic.

Lest you fear that the Bobs have become political activists, know that many of the songs on this album have been featured on National Public Radio's morning news shows -- hence the title. Maybe it shouldn't have mattered to me, but I enjoyed this album a lot more once I found this out -- everything suddenly made sense, and all was right with the universe.

Great stuff. I loved the entire "Laundry Cycle." It is too bad that there are not as many orginal groups as The Bobs. I have had this for over a decade and I still thinkit is great.

Buy it and enjoy some great and original vocals.