Track Listing

1. Got My Own Thing Now
2. Put a Lid on It
3. Memphis Exorcism
4. Twilight
5. It Ain't You
6. Prince Nez
7. Hell
8. Meant to Be
9. Bad Businessman
10. Flight of the Passing Fancy
11. Blue Angel
12. Interlocutor

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7277 in Music
• Released on: 1996-06-04
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
How clichéd--make that calcified--has the concept of "irony" become in alternative music? When North Carolina's Squirrel Nut Zippers scored an unlikely late '90s hit with "Hell" (from their Hot album), many cynics (and a few critics) thought the band was merely mocking the hot jazz stylings of the '20s and '30s. But having put a couple more albums and some trying times (the defection of singer-guitarist Tom Maxwell and passing of horn player Stacy Guess) under their belts, it's clear that musical affection was no mere passing affectation. The Zippers have honed both their chops and their courage here, with subtle new influences from the 20th-century American musical pantry (a dash of country, a pinch of Spanish guitar, more Crescent City bump) tastefully simmered into the stew. Katherine Whalen's vocal turns are as convincingly smoky as the lighthearted material is jokey--an inviting balance that's equally true to its historical sources. More than mere opportunistic swing revivalists, the restless curiosity displayed on this album argues that the Zippers are in it for the long haul. Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but this band is clearly more interested in inspiration, and that's not a bad compliment, either. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

A retro big-band swinging extravaganza
In the midst of my jazz kick a few months ago, I decided to pick this album up without ever hearing of the group. I was simply shocked to see that a band surrounded by grunge rockers in the mid-90s was able to pull off post-modern jazz with such precision and success. If anything, I was interested in how the influences compared to the Miles Davis, John Coltrane and The Rat Pack that I was listening to at the time. These guys (and gal) simply hit the nail on the head with this record. It's fun, and full of swinging jazz, as well as possessing a great sense of humor and enthusiasm. Some of the best tracks include "Got My Own Thing Now," "Put a Lid on It," their break-through hit "Hell," and "Blue Angel". The rest of the tracks are just as infectious as "Hell". If you are really into jazz, you may be a little bugged out by their sense of humor; especially when singer Katharine Whalen transforms herself into Billie Holiday. Nevertheless, this record was aimed toward a younger crowd, so it will most likely be overlooked.

Not for everyone
This is a really fun album with a unique bouncy sound. Some reviewers say it's like swing and not a very good imitation of swing. Others say it was never intended to be swing or to imitate it. It doesn't really matter what you call it. It's very listenable and lots of fun. If you are stuck in a groove and only like a certain type of music, this might not be for you, but if you are like me and you like all good music, this album is a joy to listen to. I think I agree with some of the reviewers that it is a mixing of styles and the 'zippers' have their own unique sound. If you want an album that sounds like every other album out there, don't buy this. If you want something a little offbeat and different, get this and don't think twice about it, as you will enjoy it. The album moves along rapidly and it was over with before I realized it. It sounds like the band is having an absolutely wonderful time playing and aren't worried about perfection. That makes it much more enjoyable and it doesn't sound over-produced, like so many albums. It's more like live music; as we all know live is almost always better than recorded.

Praise Be To The Musical Saviors-Squirrel Nut Zippers!
When I first heard the song "Hell" I was completely mesmerized by the sound, the music, the lyrics of what I was hearing. I had never before heard music so immediately enjoyable or for that matter so obviously indebted to the talent of the performers. I went out and bought the album the next day and have been a fan ever since. Being born in 1980 I wasn't the slightest bit aware of jazz music's existence and I owe my knowledge and my love of Jazz to the Squirrel Nut Zippers! The sincerity and pure soul of this music makes each and every one of the Squirrel Nut Zipper albums essential to any jazz fan's collection. Compared to the dismal array of so called "musicians" and "bands" out today Squirrel Nut Zippers should be hailed as the saviors of quality, integrity filled music. One of the must have albums of the 1990's!