Frenchy
Bumps & Grinds (Dionysus 123340)

Frenchy specialized in the same sort of pre- Squirrel Nut Zippers lounge sound perfected by the Coctails. Using the reductive instrumentation of vocals, marimba, clarinet, bass, and drums, they pound out 12 tunes with plenty of style and no substance (I'm sure that was the plan).

Highlights include the opener ("Groovy"), "Devil's Beatin' His Wife," and a cover of the theme from "Spiderman." Normally I sort of roll my eyes at this kind of obvious obscurity, but Frenchy pull it off with charm. Carla Lease's voice anchors the band with a style similar to Ann Magnuson's in Bongwater, but less commanding. However, she's also less assuming, so the Frenchy sound never overwhelms with the smugness way too many contemporary lounge bands have.

This is probably not anyone's favorite album, nor is it great, but I enjoy listening to it well enough. Just enough spooky background vocals and willful nerdiness to keep me hooked. They were definitely committed, and at least they weren't doing the whole jump-swing thing. Man, that was tired before it ever happened!

Loud Bassoon rating scale

Review by Grog Grossage