TALES FROM THE MONSTROSITY SCROLLS

The concept for Rainbow Beast, if I understand it correctly, is pretty awesome. Three professional musicians (Marcus Stoesz, Brian Gorman, and Jen Aldrich) work alongside children aka The Rock Band Land Rockers to create songs and stories. The band, along with the children, then work together to bring the songs to life. This album is a representation of that idea.

 

My first impression of this album came straight from the album cover. It in no way implies that it is either kids music or that kids will have a part in it. Sure, kids are shooting the band with paint guns (quite literally) but nothing really points towards the albums formula. Having a critique from author Lemony Snicket on the cover of the album was an even more perplexing turn.

 

My first impression of the music was jaw dropping. It was as if The Flaming Lips had incorporated a children’s choir into their quirky mix and has taken songwriting tips from The Presidents Of The United States Of America. 

 

The music was epically good, the songs written with so much personality and a great command of story delivery on vocals that I found myself putting songs on repeat three or four times, trying to take it all in. The kids singing on chorus, and sometimes even as the main vocals, was awesome. 

 

According to the bands website they have produced over 150 original songs with the Rock Band Land Rockers. The band members are teachers at a music school in San Francisco where they group children with one another to form bands, from the sound of it, several at a time. This is a pretty amazing idea that has produced a great album of music to showcase what can happen when potential is guided by people who know what their doing. Good stuff. I highly suggest checking them out.