Saplings, Shimmy Disc, 1991
Available on CD, LP, and Cassette
The Tinklers are half Eddie Haskell , half Tuli Kupferberg, their second LP a continuing chapter in wry and whiny wit. Their traditional kvetching shuffles along at one monotonous, little-old-man pace, with the apparent harmlessness of a shabbily dressed, reclusive axe-murderer. Charles Brohawn and Chris Mason are the peculiar driving forces behind these tales of mutation, deformity, and ecological disaster - led by a stunted banjo and wood-block percussion, the two plod methodically through innocent-enough American standards ("One Meatball". originally sung by Josh White, "Around To Maryanne's") and originals covering the gamut from offshore oil spills to rats eating the last dodo bird egg to unrequited love. With the duo's flat, world-weary vocals and sardonically ingenuous lyrics, they come off in the mold of either an autistic Fugs or the Muskrats with their heads dunked in Love Canal. Perfect sing-along pals on your next weenie roast with a three-headed Cub Scout, the Tinklers bravely explore the wonders of nature on "Trees Like To Rot In The Forest," "Dinosaurs Are Better", and "Come On Down To The Beach". -CMJ New Music Report
SONGS
TREES LIKE TO ROT IN THE FOREST
GOT TO BE PATIENT
ONE MEATBALL
POW
THE DODO BIRD AND THE CALVARIA TREE
CHUGGA-CHUGGA
THE FUTURE
ZOOM
AROUND TO MARYANNE'S
HMM
QUAK QUCK BEEP BEEP
WAAH
DINOSAURS ARE BETTER
WHAT IT WAGS
LUCKY IN LOVE
ZONE FARE
CHEESEWOLF
ALLERGIC TO EVERYTHING
COME ON DOWN TO THE BEACH
KID WITH A CURVED SPINE
PAUL BUNYON
All songs by The Tinklers except "One Meatball" and "Around to Maryanne's"
Songs sung by The Tinklers. Banjo, percussion, rubber-band guitar slide guitar and guitar by The Tinklers. Special guest Tom Mason on guitar and bass guitar. Engineered by Kramer.
1991.