Reviewed by Trevor Kirk

I first heard Andy Read back in 1996 with a very good low-budget CD release "Happy Friday". This rather quirky kids' album is Andy's latest project. I say quirky, because this isn't a typical kids' album a la Ishmael or Duggie Dug Dug; this is more a concept album. The first track sets the scene; Charlie's folks have gone to the beach, and Charlie and the gang have the house to themselves (hence the title), so they decide to put down some tracks on their trusty cassette recorder. Once the zaniness stops and the music starts, it's good, catchy pop, although the lyrics of "I Need To Come To You" might be over the heads of the target audience of nine-to-12s. On the other hand, "Toast And Jam" and "Greens Before The Pudding", are seriously weird, particularly the former, which is delivered in a bluesy American drawl of an accent, and excels itself in its impossible task of finding enough words to rhyme with "jam"! My fave tracks are "We Place You", a praise song exalting Jesus, which romps along with a Bo Diddley beat, and "In The Stillness", which is mid-tempo drum'n'bass, with some good acoustic solo guitar. Perhaps the chat is a tad overdone, although a careful listen will reveal loads of comedy asides in the background; come to think about it, this album might make a good video or cartoon soundtrack. Cleverly produced and conceived, and deserves to do well.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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