I Just Read About That…

SOUNDTRACK: THE KINKS are the Village Green Preservation Society (1968).

This record seems to be a very important record in the history of British pop rock and in the history of The Kinks. I feel that I had always heard about it in practically hushed tones (much like the hushed tones of the record), and yet I had never heard it. Finally, my friend Carrie gave me a copy of it and I listened and was surprised that I didn’t know one single song on it. You can look here and see that I have two Kinks greatest hits records, and not one song from this record is on any either of them.

Some background tells me that the record sold poorly but has become something of a cult favorite. I can totally see that happening. The songs are light without being lite. They are bouncy and somewhat frolicky, and indeed, they seem to call out to an imagined past of quaint lifestyles. It took me a couple of listens to really get into it, largely because it is so unlike the typical Kinks “hit sound,” but now I’m totally hooked.

It is also obvious that this record has influenced countless musicians, including a great deal of the BritPop that I enjoy so much.

[READ: Fall 2006] The Legend of Spud Murphy & The Legend of Captain Crow’s Teeth.

I have read and enjoyed Eoin Colfer’s Artemis Fowl series and enjoy it very much. One day when I was in Borders, there was a discounted copy of Spud Murphy for about $3. I didn’t know that he had written anything other than Artemis Fowl (he has, in fact, click here to see what). Then, I saw Captain Crow’s Teeth also cheap, so I grabbed that as well.

These are children’s books. And they are very fun.

Spud Murphy centers around a wicked “ninja librarian” (are there any other kind?) and how Marty and Will discover the joys of reading because of her strict policies. I bristled at the description of the librarian at first, but really got into the spirit of things, and found it funny and ultimately very enjoyable. I look forward to my son reading it when he gets a little older.

Captain Crow’s Teeth resumes the exploits of Marty and Will, as they go on vacation to a seaside town that has a legendary ghost. There are some nicely descriptive scenes, and some spooky ones too. All with lots of humor and fun.

There’s a third book in this series called Legend of The Worst Boy in the World which sounds delightful as well, and I’m looking forward to reading that one, too.

Since these are children’s books, there’s not a lot to say about them, but they are very good, and full of lots of humor. Colfer was a teacher before he became a writer, and you can tell he “gets” kids.