I Just Read About That…

SOUNDTRACK: INVERSE ROOM: Pieces for the Left Hand (2005).

Inverse Room is the musical alter ego of J. Robert Lennon, author of The Funnies, Mailman, and other works. A few years ago he wrote a collection of short stories called Pieces for the Left Hand. The book is only available in England as far as I can tell. This CD, available from his site, is a companion piece of sorts. I had enjoyed The Funnies many many years ago, and was delighted to see that he still had some works being published. It was only when I stumbled onto his site that I discovered Inverse Room.

This CD contains 99 songs (the reviews all say 100, so maybe the Part I and II song can count for 100.) Obviously, the songs are short. Very short, in fact. There are only a couple that are over one minute long.

So, what does it sound like? Well, everything, really. In what is an amazing exercise in creating melodies, Lennon has crafted 99 different songs in different genres and different styles. It is an incredible hodgepodge of music, and it is very fun. Song titles include: “Political Song for Barney to Sing” (very funny), “Set the Controls for the Heart of Denver,” and “Heavy Metal Summer Camp.” Most of the songs are funny (but a joke that doesn’t wear out its welcome in 23 seconds), some are instrumental, and Lennon plays everything.

But what does it sound like? Well, to be honest it sounds like They Might Be Giants. Lennon’s voice is very close to one or both of TMBG’s Johns. And, considering that TMBG did a similar experiment on Apollo 18’s “Fingertips,” this album is not unprecedented. And if you liked “Fingertips” you will love this CD. I guarantee it.

If you’re not familiar with “Fingertips,” then you’ll have to go with the description above: 99 songs, no two songs sound anything alike, and they’re all really short. Still not convinced? The CD costs $5 from his website. There’s bound to be one song you’ll like, right?

[READ: Fall 2006] Wintersmith

Terry Pratchett has written a million books or so, most of them focusing on Discworld. I’m not even going to try to get you up to speed on Discworld. For a nice synopsis and a list of all of the books in the series, check out the Wikipedia entry. But to sum, it’s like an alternative universe to our own except that the world is flat and is held aloft by four elephants that are standing on the back of a giant turtle floating in space. Got it? Good.

This is one of Terry’s YA books in the series, following the continuing adventures of Tiffany Aching, aged 13. Tiffany is in training with Miss Treason to hone her witch skills. Through a series of humorous incidents, Tiffany winds up dancing with the Wintersmith, or Father Winter Himself. Usually Lady Summer dances with Father Winter–and Father Winter falls in love with Lady Summer every year–Father Winter pursues Lady Summer, and thus begets the Seasons. However, with Father Winter dancing with, and ultimately falling for Tiffany, the Seasons fall out of whack, and chaos ensues. Think global freezing on a grand scale.

The Wintersmith tries to prove his love for Tiffany by showering her, and the world in general, with Tiffany shaped snowflakes. Tiffany is unimpressed, and the Wintersmith sets out to win her by trying to become human. With expected, and unexpected, results.

There is fighting, romance, treachery and witchcraft. All of Terry’s books are great, and this one is no exception. I recall reading it over a warm couple of Fall afternoons, and I felt pretty chilly while reading them.

Although I felt compelled to read the Discworld series from the beginning (see my Good Omens posts), you needn’t do so. Although for best continuity, I’d recommend reading the Tiffany Aching series in order. (The Wee Free Men, A Hat Full of Sky, and Wintersmith) if only because this series follows Tiffany’s growth, and there are some call backs to the previous books. But even if you start here, you’ll instantly get engrossed into Discworld.