Capturing the insanity and uncertainty of Vaudeville on CD is a challenging task, but Friendly Rich does just that. Thirty-five minutes of maniacally humorous rants, songs and stories touching on subjects of religion, ant sacrifice, death and a lovable moose, all backed by the twistedly childish orchestral music of The Lollipop People. There’s nothing quite like hearing an ear piercing scream with an angry accordion followed by a soothing stroke of the harp. Or a drunkenly sturdy waltz built with banjos, bassoons and harpsichords that swells, only to descend into an uncontrollable fit of madness. These contrasts are prevalent throughout the entire album, pulling the listener along by the hair. The Friendly Rich Show caresses your balls, slaps you across the face and then disappears, leaving you with the feeling you’d have if you attended a wedding and a funeral all on the same day. (Robert Lines)
CD, Pumpkin Pie Corporation, PO Box 74061, 260 Guelph Street, Georgetown, ON, L7G 5L1, www.friendlyrich.com