Customer Reviews

The Tragic Treasury: Songs From a Series of Unfortunate Events

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
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...and one of Stephin Merritt's most memorable, and by far the funniest. On this album he is doing what he does best: being a glum old curmudgeon-popster with tongue wedged squarely in cheek. No knowledge of the Lemony Snicket books is needed. There are a number of direct references in several of the songs, but the lyrics stand on their own quite well, particular in numbers such as Freakshow, Shipwrecked, How Do You Slow This Thing Down?, and A Million Mushrooms. Expect an expertly crafted mixture of glum yet surprisingly catchy arrangements coupled with more of Merritt's hilariously morose lyrics. Highly recommended!

The second I heard the song, "Crows," I knew I had to own this album. I know nothing of Lemony Snicket books, but I've a been a Magnetic Fields fan for awhile. So, after very awkwardly browsing the childrens' section at the bookstore, I was able to find a copy of this really great album. I was very happily surprised to find that this CD is more in line with Merritt's great early nineties albums (like Holiday, Wasps' Nests, and The New Despair) rather than i or (shudder) Showtunes. This is a great mix of synths and traditional instruments (if you consider an electric sitar "traditional"). The lyrics are very depressing/weird/funny/moving depending on the song, though some are all four.

Even though I did my research on this album before I got it, I'm stilll astonished as to how good it really is. I wasn't excited for the next Magnetic Fields album next Spring, but now I am. The only thing I can equate this to is when another great indie artist, Mark Mulcahy, put out a disc of Polaris songs for The Adventure of Pete and Pete (they're completely different save for sheer quality). I can't say for sure if Lemony Snicket fans will really dig these songs as much as I do, since I'm already a fan. However, I haven't read any of the Snicket books, but now I really want to.

I had the great "misfortune" to see some of these tunes performed live by Daniel Handler (on accordian) and Stephin Merrit (Lemony Snicket was supposed to play percussion but he was detained... long story... you get it if you know about the books). It was the greatest thing I have ever seen! If you have the chance to catch Lemony Snicket on tour, do it! And get the CD, you will be very, very firmly depressed and miserable. It's the perfect accompaniment to this series.

I may not be a kid, but I know when something is fun! If you're a parent, then you are probably familiar with "A Series of Unfortunate Events." I haven't read a single one of the books from this series, but my son read all thirteen (and counting?), so there is obviously something about their humor and style that is addictive. The same can be said of "The Tragic Treasury," a collection of clever songs inspired by the book series. Grown-ups may know Stephin Merritt as the brains behind Magnetic Fields, his ambitious recording nom-de-plume that a few years back offered a fabulous 3-disk set called "69 Love Songs." The literacy and deadpan emotional investment of that collection earned "69 Love Songs" a place on many critics `best of' lists. Since then, his chameleonic nature has him peeking from behind corners under various guises, including the 6ths and Future Bible Heroes. The Gothic Archies is simply his latest, and funniest, disguise, as a composer with a penchant for black humor.
So we have a conundrum. Kids know the books but not the musician. A few discerning adults know the artist but not the book series. So, let's address that situation immediately; Kids don't need to know the musician to recognize the humorous tone of these songs, and adults don't need to read the books to be hooked, either. These songs may work great as an accompaniment to the young adult books, but the songs are genuinely entertaining in their own right. As I said, I never read a single volume, but there are points when Merritt makes me laugh out loud. Heck, just reading the band-name makes me laugh. Here's just a sampling of his lyrical style, taken from a rhythmic carnival ride entitled "The World Is a Very Scary Place";
"The world is a very scary place, I hear.
It's hurled and it's twirled through outer space, I fear.
So many ways to lose your skin in it
The number of ways to die is infinite."
Maudlin? Sure, but its bleakness is exactly what makes it so entertaining. Elsewhere, he addresses the `Gothic' mentality with such wit that it would disarm the most dedicated misanthrope. Using a lyrical structure that you may recognize from an old hit song designed to cheer people up, he sings
"Smile, no one cares how you feel.
Be vicious, vain and vile.
Everything's yours to steal if you'll just smile".
Sung in a stately baritone that is at times spooky but always wry, Merritt is a veritable king of deadpan comedy. I figured "A Series of Unfortunate Events"" to be kid stuff, but if "The Tragic Treasury" accurately reflects the tone of the books, I'm wrong. Dead wrong. A- Tom Ryan

...I blasted this music on my front porch for Halloween this year. It scared kids away.

This is really clever, creepy and fun.

This CD is brilliant, keeping in tone with the books. I've listened to it over and over. My favorite song on the CD is Dreary, Dreary, Dreary.

These songs are great, very quirky and fun. Shipping was slightly delayed, but amazon kept me updated on the situation.

First of all, let me say that I found the books amazing. Better than Potter, Twilight & Shakespeare put together. And I would describe this CD in the same way. I cannot comprehend why this band Isn't as famous as U2, because they're certainly much better. this music is sad & dark, but also funny and occasionally lighthearted.I implore you to listen to the samples & see this for yourself. It's cheap, but thats not a bad thing. (P.S.) If your thinking of just buying one song, do Crows, It's amazing.


BUY THIS CD YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!!!!!! (then read the books)

I bought this CD for my pre-teen daughter because she loved the Series of Unfortunate Events books. It is a collection of some of the strangest music I have come across. The songs relate to the SOUE books with titles such as "The Reptile Room," and her favorite- "Scream and Run Away." Though I found the music a little bizarre and kind of punk-gothish, there is a strange haunting quality to the music that draws you in and makes you want to hear more. It is a fun, silly, enchanting album. My daughter adores it and knows almost all the words to most of the songs. Even I find myself singing along when "Scream and Run Away" is playing......The Tragic Treasury: Songs from a Series of Unfortunate Events

I purchased this for my son who is into the series and I didnt expect much.
This is so totally funny. It is done by the author and his "goth band".
The music is catching and the lyrics will make you laugh.
This one will be heard over and over again.