Release Year: 2001
Rating: 5.0 / 10
Favorite Song(s): Dirty Dustin Hoffman Needs a Bath
Least Favorite Song(s): Dustin Hoffman Thinks About Eating the Soap
I think the best way to start this review is with some backing information. This album was composed of self-recordings by Kevin Barnes on a 4-Track prior to Cherry Peel, and they were the writer for all of these tracks. These songs had different titles initially, but were changed to the current ones for this compilation album.
I personally think it shows a lot of signs of being a very very early of Montreal prototype. The strange lyrics, the interesting melodies and progression, the seemingly personal lyrics in some of these. I do think this album showed the talent Kevin had early on, but is not a good representation of how their talent has blossomed. I think to me, it’s fine for what it is: A self-recorded, self-written compilation of songs... But I don’t think as I listen to it now, it’s a particularly good experience. I think the opening track is the best one by miles and one I frequent quite a lot and the rest are between boring and “okay”. I wouldn’t call it a grueling experience, but one that quite often lingers way too long to be actually enjoyable.
As for the track listing– I’m torn. I think if you wanted to pick out songs from it that you enjoy, it’s hard to remember which is which. I’m sure people who are bigger fans of this album than I might be able to, but even now I don’t really have a good grasp on my 4th or 5th full listen which one is which unless I look back at my review and go, "Ohhh, yeah. That one." I do think the concept of a unrelated story being told in the song titles is fun though, and does embody the whimsy I associate with especially the early days of the band.
As for the cover of the album– It’s okay. I think it has a lot of whimsy to it which when this album does it right, I can see the correlation. It’s not my favorite album cover by any stretch, it’s just okay– like I guess this whole album is.
1. Dirty Dustin Hoffman Needs a Bath
I really like this song and it’s my favorite for the album. Especially after first viewing it in an old recording on YouTube, which is my favorite version of the song. I think there’s something so comforting about this song; it sounds nice and it’s just happy and cozy to me.
2. Dustin Hoffman Gets a Bath
It’s an okay song– I think it has some interesting ideas especially with the instrumental and sounds. It definitely has that oM charm to it, even if I just find it okay.
3. Dustin Hoffman Thinks About Eating the Soap
I don’t like this song really. If the previous song is a 5/10, this is about a 4/10. Not egregiously bad, but it feels a little corny. I do like the more upbeat chorus.
4. Dustin Hoffman Scrubs Too Hard and Loses Soap
Another okay one. I don’t have so much to say about it.
5. Dustin Hoffman Does Not Resist Temptation to Eat the Bathtub
Another one I don’t really care for. Maybe because of my dislike of slow songs, it just feels like it lingers way too long.
6. Dustin Hoffman's Wife Comes Home
I don’t think this one is so bad; Not as good as Dirty Dustin Hoffman Needs a Bath, but it’s sweet. Slower, but I like how this one is. I can take guesses what the song is about, but I think either way, it’s nice.
7. Dustin Hoffman's Wife Seems Suspicious About the Absent Tub
Instrumental; It’s fine enough.
8. Dustin Hoffman Feigns Ignorance of Missing Bathtub (There Is Only One R in Ignorrance)
I don’t like this one. It feels like wading through tar somehow.
9. Dustin Hoffman's Wife Calls in Detective to Dust for Porcelain Particles on Dustin Hoffman's Tongue
It’s not my favorite oM song about anger, but I think it does a good job especially for this album and this era of recording. I think the lyrics are good on this one, especially: “I'm so sick of trying / I don't want to give up on you”. It’s simple, but conveys the emotion. I think the instrumental does compliment it as well. Unlike the last song that was also slow, I think in this one the slowness compliments the anger and tiredness of the lyrics.
10. Dustin Hoffman's Tongue Taken to Police Lab Where It Is Used as Toilet Paper and Reading Material While on the Toilet (Naughty)
Simple, fine, decent.
11. Dustin Hoffman Offers Lame Possible Explanation for Missing Bathtub (Front Cover)
Okay enough. I will say the mention of a certain filmmaker makes me flinch because I don’t like him though lol. Otherwise, the lyrics and instrumental are fine. It’s not a standout from their whole discography, but is decent enough I wouldn’t be so mad if it came on. I do think it lingers a little too long, however.
12. Dustin Hoffman's Wife Makes a Sarcastic Remark, Cuts the Head Off a Duck, Places It Where the Tub Was and Begins to Groan (Growl)
Okay enough as well. Has the strange circus-like melodies like you also see in Cherry Peel. I don’t hate it, it’s okay.
13. Dustin Hoffman Becomes Indignant and Wets Himself
It’s okay enough. Lingers too long at the end; Probably would be a decent enough song to fall asleep to.
14. Dustin Hoffman Quits Bathroom and Climbs a Tree
A better song on this album just for how different it is compared to the rest. I like the train call part, it’s cute. The ending switch up reminds me of later oM stuff as well.
15. Dustin Hoffman's Children Enter the Bathroom
Another okay. I don’t really like it so much.
16. Dustin Hoffman's Children Don't Enter the Bathroom
An okay song too… I think like "Dustin Hoffman Becomes Indignant and Wets Himself", it’s a fine enough song to fall asleep to. I think the instrumental especially at the end is pretty.
3:57pm .. .. // 6.1.2024