Customer Reviews

Two Lips: The Lost Album

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Since three of the four Beatles have appeared on The Simpsons perhaps associating the Fabs with voice artist Dan Castellaneta isn't that much of a stretch. But having written all of the songs on this cd himself one gets the impression that his interest in them runs far deeper than their coincidental connection to the TV show that has made him famous. In this collection of songs his approach is much more subtle than the parody style of Neil Innes' Rutles. But writing songs in the style of the Sgt Pepper/Magical Mystery Tour/White Album era Beatles, probably the most classic rock ever recorded, is bound to draw unfavorable comparisons both lyrically and musically. In fact even the actual Beatles themselves never seemed to be able to recapture the creative magic of that period in their own solo recordings. Castellaneta's Paul McCartney voice is good but inconsistent. On the occasional word or phrase he sounds almost exactly like him but can't seem to sustain it through an entire song. And with all of the brass and 20's style rhythms at times his McCartney songs sound more like The New Vaudeville Band of Winchester Cathedral fame. His John Lennon voice, which is apparently based on the noticeably sped up vocal from Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, sounds more like Davey Jones to me so from my perspective anyway the disc sounds as much like The Monkees as The Beatles. As with a real Beatles album there is a token Ringo song and a token George song. In this case however "Through It All There Is Love" is probably the best track on the cd because it sounds like a song George might have actually written. Castellaneta really seems to have a handle on George's singing style and the slide guitar solo is a nice touch. Overall this cd isn't a bad listening experience by any means but it's not essential either. It basically just further demonstrates his already well documented vocal versatility, his obvious affection for The Beatles and his substantial songwriting abilities. Perhaps someday he'll set aside his cartoon voices and faux Beatle personas and favor us with a collection of his own songs in his own voice (if he can still remember what it sounds like) ;)

This is a very peculiar album. It features Dan Castellaneta, of "The Simpsons", singing original songs he wrote in the style of the Sgt. Pepper/Magical Mystery Tour era Beatles. He evens sings with a Liverpudlian accent. Actually, he sings with four different voices, depending on which Beatle the song is done in the style of. For example, in the "Ringo" song, "Feet On The Ground", he sings with a very nasal voice. The songs themselves aren't particularly humorous, but they aren't entirely serious, either. "Whimsical" might be a good word to describe them. This is not an essential album by any means, but if you like both Dan Castellaneta and the Beatles, you might like it. Everyone else will most likely be baffled by it.

The multi-talented Dan Castellaneta has taken his obvious love for the Beatles psychedelic era and made an unusual tribute album. Dan wrote all the songs and does all the vocals. His ability to re-create the voices of John, Paul, George, and Ringo is impressive. The songs, well-played by session musicians, present sort of an alternate-world Beatles album that might have come out somewhere in the Sgt. Pepper/Magical Mystery Tour era. They have unexpected chords, colorful and amusing lyrics, and imaginative melodies, but generally just aren't that memorable. The Fab Four had an uncanny way of melding these elements into a catchy, well-wrought work of art that grabs you and sticks in your memory. Still, if you like the Beatles pscyhedelic period this CD is worth a listen. I'd like to hear a follow-up.

Though some may say, "It's been done," out of the inkwell comes Dan Castellaneta, known as the voice of Homer Simpson, Grandpa Simpson, Groundskeeper Willie, Sideshow Mel, Mayor Quimby, Krusty The Klown, Itchy, Santa's Little Helper, Barney Gumble, and Hans Moleman, on the "excellent" TV show, "The Simpsons," taking a solo bow with this howlingly funny debut. Yes, he does have a funny voice, and, yes, if you play the disc backwards, you'll hear a really ripping recipe for lentil soup.