Review of the Twink CD & picture-book from Aquarius Records
Mike Langlie has put together this picture book and cd, which at first glance/listen would appear to be just a cute children's book. But as the cd progresses, the music, all playful and bouncy, becomes slightly sinister, and when coupled with the wide-eyed innocence of the bunny in the book, it takes on all sorts of possible nastier connotations. We're sure that Mike wasn't intending for this to be scary, but the tone and timbre of the toy piano (the main instrument here) is just naturally sort of haunting. 'Twink' (not to be confused with the psychedelic/krautrock Twink) is 25 tracks of playful, silly, catchy, creepy, fun, wild and truly bizarre little ditties, utilising toy piano, accordian, autoharp, banjo, bird whistles, cello, electric guitar, keyboards, finger cymbals, flute, giggle stick, gong, homemade drums, hurdy-gurdy, marbles, musical saw, optigan, organ, pling plong, rattles, rhythm machines, see 'n say, squeaky toys, theremin, viola, violin, water glasses, and xylophone. Occasionally it sounds like Boards Of Canada played by 6 year olds, sometimes demented circus music, sometimes like theme music from some scary cartoon, but always, unlike anything you've ever heard before. And the book is great too. Simple bold drawings in mostly girl pink and boy blue, telling the simple tale of the toy piano playing bunny (who is perhaps responsible for the tunes on the cd). Super cool and really really unique!