Bobs

[thedarkages]

I've gone back and forth on the Bobs. When their first two albums came out in the '80's, I was amazed at what those voices could do, not to mention the cleverness of their arrangements. I was doing a lot of singing at the time, and was pretty envious of their end product. After a couple of years, the idea got kind of flat; Garrison Keillor had jumped the shark, and the Bobs seemed to be alighting upon the exact same shark in the middle of its downward trajectory. I made one regrettable album purchase of Bobs cover songs, and vowed, never again. I just listened to My, I'm Large again, and they don't sound half bad. Same old mild humor, but now, there's nostalgia. Plus, if you listen right and rearrange the music in your head, the chorus of "Helmet" sounds like a Monteverdi motet. No kidding.

Comments

Bobs, eh?

[msfledermaus.livejournal.com]

The Bobs are kind of funny and sad for me...they have the occasional good funny song, but I was engaged once to someone who liked them a lot. I can't really hear them without thinking of that person and all the unhappy break-up stuff that goes with, you know?

I like Cake better...funny, smart, and what a horn section!

Re: Bobs, eh?

[thedarkages]

I took a listen to some Cake. I just can't deal with the instruments. Cake's songs are clever, but the Bobs' a cappella thing was 60% of their charm.