Booklist

April 15, 2008
Paul Shackman

Grammy-nominated songwriter and singer Gunnar Madsen doesn’t always take his own advice. “Keep it simple,” Madsen proclaims in “Simple” before he sneaks in the word obfuscate. Madsen’s songs are joyfully kid-friendly—rich in meaning and musically sophisticated.

He takes a fresh approach to such common topics as growth in the title song, parental pride in “Cutest Little Guy,” and playing cowboy in “Best in the West.” He wonders what librarians do after hours (party fiercely, apparently) in “Library Party” and shows why not being number one is still satisfying in “Always on the Bottom.”

Then there are a number of delightful oddities, including “Pumpkin Hair.” Madsen also sings a sensitive rendition of “Shenandoah” and pictures Mozart as an irrepressible scamp in “Mozart’s at the Window.” A master overdubber, he plays every instrument on the 15 tunes. The music, not easily categorized, ranges from peppy and upbeat to bluesy. An engagingly kooky collection from a versatile talent.