In the new independent music market brought about by the Internet, itís fully possible for a band to have a substantial fan base before releasing a single album.† Garfunkel and Oates, consisting of TV actresses Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci (whom some of you might know as Stephanie Gooch in the last season of ìScrubs”) is one such band.† Their debut album, ìMusic Songs,” which became available on iTunes last week, is comprised of eight of the more popular songs that have been popping up on YouTube for the last few months.
Their style is probably best described as comedy/folk, with Lindhome on the guitar and Micucci on the ukulele or piano (other instruments like a flute make occasional appearances.)† The album is relatively well-mixed and balanced, and although the flute seems a little out of place in a few numbers. All in all the accompaniment really highlights each song, and helps keep them from† blending together.
Both women can sing and their voices blend together excellently.† When they harmonize, they sound great, but I wish they did so more often.† While singing in unison creates an interesting sound, more harmonies would be impressive and add another layer to their sound.
Where the album really shines is in the lyrics.† Most of the songs are about sex, in one way or another, and contain a sarcastic humor which, combined with the sweet, innocent quality of their voices, kind of reminds me of Lily Allen.† The songs range fom the ridiculous (ìPregnant Women are Smug,” where the two actually stop playing to do comedy sketches in the middle), to the sublime (the sweet, sentimental and not particularly silly ìAs You Are.”)† Most fall somewhere in the middle, like ìOnly You,” an ode to their friendship which contains many silly lines, but is ultimately† sincere.
There are a few notable omissions ó I would have loved to see their song ìSelf-Esteem,” about having too much self-respect to date someone, for example, or the pro-gay marriage ìSex with Ducks,” but some things, I suppose should be saved for their next album.† Eight songs just seems a bit short when they have numbers they could have gotten together. On the whole, though, I think ìMusic Songs” is a successful first album, and Iíd recommend it to anyone who likes female vocalists and funny songs about sex.