Simpsons CD reprises best musical moments of series
Tuesday, April 1, 1997
MUSIC:
Album packages funny parodies, melodies with memorable quotes By Kristin Fiore
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Forget about the new Aerosmith and U2 releases. If you want a CD that will whip your butt out of bed for that 9 a.m. class, "Songs in the Key of Springfield" (Rhino) is the one to get.
Of course, this is a must-have for any Simpsons fan. It has not only the most memorable and hilarious Simpsons songs like "The Stonecutter's Song" ("Who keeps Atlantis off the maps? Who keeps the martians under wraps?) and "Who Needs the Kwik-e Mart," but also great dialog from Bart, Homer, Apu, Grandpa and the 200 characters played by Phil Hartman. Alf Clausen, the composer (aside from Danny Elfman's main theme) and arranger, also includes great liner notes that add a personal touch.
The compilation is enjoyable on many levels. Even those only vaguely familiar with the show will enjoy the wit of the songs' lyrics: (from "See my Vest," which Mr. Burns sings to the tune of the "Beauty and the Beast" anthem, "Be Our Guest") "See my loafers? Former gophers. It was that or skin my chauffers. But a greyhound fur tuxedo would be best. So let's prepare these dogs," (Angela Lansbury-style maid chimes in) "Kill two for matching clogs!"
But those who know the episodes and characters thoroughly will be brought back into the unforgettable scenes each song conjures and understand how the song reveals the essence of a character. "See My Vest," for example, was from the "Two Dozen and One Greyhounds" episode, shown to parody Disney's "101 Dalmatians" hype machine. At the thought of having a dalmatian suit made of Santa's Little Helper's puppies, the ordinarily staid Mr. Burns waxes dramatic for Smithers, who undoubtedly enjoys seeing Mr. Burns model his grizzly bear underwear.
Like "See My Vest," many songs also comment on the more disturbing elements of humankind (try to imagine Lansbury skinning puppies), but they capture our foibles  and those of the characters  so effectively that you have to laugh.
At its deepest level, the compilation Âand The Simpsons show itself  are at once attacks and celebrations of these foibles, be they anti-immigrant sentiments, greed, idiocy or mob mentality. Despite the Bart phenomenon a few years back, the cartoon has never been aimed at children; its themes are too complex and subtle, as are the songs that represent it.
What 10-year-old would understand the reference in "Springfield, Springfield" to "New York, New York" from the 1949 film "On The Town" (starring Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra) or Homer's reference in "It Was A Very Good Beer" to Frank Sinatra's hit, "It Was A Very Good Year"?
Still, other references are more recognizable, such as the "Flaming Moe's" tune that recalls Cheers theme or "Dr. Zaus," a snippet from the Planet of the Apes play (starring Troy McClure, of course) that uses the melody of Falco's 1986 hit, "Amadeus."
But whether one gets the references or not, some of the songs stand out through their musical strength alone. "Springfield, Springfield" is surely funnier if you get the connections, but the music, with its rhythm changes and its dive into a woozy saxophone interlude, is enough to make it a favorite. It accompanies Bart and Millhouse's "squishie bender" and the subsequent LSD-like mind warp that the unprecedented pure syrup squishie induces (Bart even joins the Junior Campers).
Other memorable musical moments include Latin legend Tito Puente's themes for "Senor Burns" and his version of the end credits. The Las Vegas version of Elfman's bombastic theme song is also worth its weight in gold, but if you don't like that one, you can try on the Australian, Hill Street Blues, JFK, Dragnet or Addams Family versions.
Above all, the compilation reminds you why you love The Simpsons  those memorable lines that are traded in phone conversations and put on internet signatures, like Grandpa's notorious pick-up line, "You know, you remind me of a poem I can't remember and a song that may never have existed and a place I'm not sure I've ever been to ... I feel all funny ... I'm in love!! No, it's a stroke."
The compilation's crowning achievement? Getting Tony Bennett to sincerely sing of the glittering Capitol City, "It's the kind of place that makes a bum feel like a king. And it makes a king feel like some nutty cuckoo super king!" If Bennett had teamed up with The Simpsons' suave writers for his last album, his "comeback" may have lasted a bit longer. Doh!
Grade: A
The Simpsons CD packs enough satire to please avid fans of the series.
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