Before we proceed I want to make it perfectly clear that I really don’t like Alvin & The Chipmunks. They show again on my Time-Like Treasury Of Christmas and I hate that song. I find the chipmunks the epitomy of annoying. The high pitched squealing and the dreadful behavior. There is nothing remotely cute or entertaining about Alvin & The Chipmunks, until now…
I got this album as a gift from somebody who knew that I liked clever and humorous stuff but was unaware that I felt Alvin & The Chipmunks were neither. It was s troke of good fortune for me because I felt this record was brilliant. They wisely dispensed with the “cute” antics and just produced record of The Chipmunks doing covers of some already beloved songs from Blondie, Tom Petty, Billy Joel, Queen, The Knack, and The Cars. I loved it.
Although I didn’t play this one like it was Journey or The Go-Go’s , I enjoyed it. The real value though would come around four years later when we were partying at the Roach Motel. I would prepare mix tapes for our parties. Occasionally, I’d slip one of these Chipmunk versions into the mix. During the party, I’d hear the song begin and I’d make sure to watch the crowd reaction. The songs usually start off just like you’d expect. Then when the Chipmunks start singing, there would be a unified reaction in the form of a “What they heck just happened? look on everybody’s faces. I found that quite amusing. One time I even made the switched during the guitar solo on Refugee. The song starts of with Tom Petty and the chipmunks take over. This was especially entertaining later in the party when the inebriated party goers would struggle to make sense of what they though they were hearing. I’m getting way ahead of the story. Tune in when we get to September of 1985 for the dawn of the Roach Motel.
Until then you need to give these an honest listen.
Refugee
Call Me
Frustrated
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Good Girls Don’t