self-released

Some music critics have a bad sense of humor. Not me. I mean, you gotta be
able to put things in perspective when cranking out reviews at 2 am the
morning after your deadline. And if the music you're writing about isn't
exactly the stuff that legends are made of, then you have to find a way to
keep things objective, while still being fair. You have to realize that
every song that was ever written has its own time and place.

That said, I think that Dance and Live Forever is perhaps the most
hilarious album I've ever heard. While not stand-up comedy by any means, the
Hi-Life Rescue Dance Band combines the most unpredictable combination of
vocal effects, horn solos, and spastic guitar riffs that I've ever heard.
Throw in some overtly, though not excessively, campy lyrics and you have the
makings of a cult phenomenon. Col. Bruce started out like this, right?

It's really difficult to explain the exact sound of this album without
listening to it first hand. Let's start out with Bobcat Goldthwaite on
vocals… after several rounds with the nitrous mask. I mean, Bru Bruser
couldn't possibly talk like that, could he? But he does sing like
that on this album, and narrates ballads like "Leaving Atlantis" and
"Pretty, Sexy Mermaid" with the same kind of aplomb that you might feel
after walking out of the 5th bar on your 21st birthday.

I'm not one to let a first impression dominate my opinion of an album or
band, but I have to admit that "We're Party Robots" just takes the cake. I
almost had to pull my car over when I heard this for the first time. I mean,
it's so awful, so terribly funny that I almost had to stop so I wouldn't wet
my pants. I think everyone should buy this album just so you can play the
first track at your next house party and make all your friends roll on the
floor. If you have access to a nitrous tank, so much the better. Those who
are more cynical than me (hard act to follow) might call my smug attitude
out right here. OK, so you're right.

The one thing that I think is really worthy of mentioning about this album
is that Tim Green and/or Fred "Fredro Starr" Jackson are both just screaming
for attention. They both do a good job of filling the huge, empty gaps in
the songs with stylistically sound brass work, and are probably getting the
experience necessary in a New Orleans garage band that will help them get
better gigs in the future.

Overall, I certainly believe that everybody deserves a chance and with today's
technology and affordable studio equipment, just about anybody with the
desire can create an album. And I hope that those who are pondering whether
or not their band is ready to make an album don't feel intimidated by this
review. It still costs more to make an album that it does to buy a
computer.