REISSUES
By Wilhelmina Steppenwolf
15 July 2012
15 July 2012
Copyright 2012, The Turntable Times
EPIDIDYMICE
When the Little Blue Men released their sprawling, double concept album, "Epididymice," the rave reviews came flowing in from everywhere. Critics, fans, even the Prime Minister had rosy things to say about the "tail" of two lovesick rodents, struggling to reproduce despite their fertility problems. It seemed Silvers & MacInnis had finally reached a universal audience.
That is, until People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals entered into the picture. PETA wasted little time denouncing the record, not on its musical merit, but on what they called "its inaccurate, insensitive, and unflattering depiction of small animal conception difficulties." They wrote, "Silvers, and especially MacInnis demonstrate, yet again, that they have no regard whatsoever for the dignity of small animals, mammals in particular." Continuing on, PETA's statement at the time read, "Imagine being a mouse. You have hopes and dreams. The whole world is in front of you. But then you find out you can not produce any offspring. What would that do to you? How would you feel, deep down inside? These are deep psychological questions, worthy of exploration, but this little Blue Band (sic) has missed the opportunity by making a second-grade mockery of a serious subject, as usual."
For their part, the Little Blue Men tried to downplay the criticism. Burt took up for the choices the band made, saying, "Well of course we explored those elements. How could we not, y'know? Just listen to track #2, "Ms. Frisbee's Barren Lament." Benny was more to the point -- "They're fucking mice."
In the end, though, it was about the songs, and on "Epididymice," the lads created a masterpiece. And on this newly remastered set, those songs sound crystal clear, resonating with the power of a band at its best. "Mouseystyle" and "Test Tube Rodent" rock harder than ever, the beneficiaries of having Plympton's drums punched higher in the mix. And the trilogy of "In Vitro," "In Vivo," and "In Vermin," now better showcase the soft singing of Silvers, creating a new dimension to the leitmotif that holds the album together.
If you're one of the many who have always loved this double album for its musicality and deep subject matter, you owe it to yourself to pick up Microgam's deluxe version today.
That is, until People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals entered into the picture. PETA wasted little time denouncing the record, not on its musical merit, but on what they called "its inaccurate, insensitive, and unflattering depiction of small animal conception difficulties." They wrote, "Silvers, and especially MacInnis demonstrate, yet again, that they have no regard whatsoever for the dignity of small animals, mammals in particular." Continuing on, PETA's statement at the time read, "Imagine being a mouse. You have hopes and dreams. The whole world is in front of you. But then you find out you can not produce any offspring. What would that do to you? How would you feel, deep down inside? These are deep psychological questions, worthy of exploration, but this little Blue Band (sic) has missed the opportunity by making a second-grade mockery of a serious subject, as usual."
For their part, the Little Blue Men tried to downplay the criticism. Burt took up for the choices the band made, saying, "Well of course we explored those elements. How could we not, y'know? Just listen to track #2, "Ms. Frisbee's Barren Lament." Benny was more to the point -- "They're fucking mice."
In the end, though, it was about the songs, and on "Epididymice," the lads created a masterpiece. And on this newly remastered set, those songs sound crystal clear, resonating with the power of a band at its best. "Mouseystyle" and "Test Tube Rodent" rock harder than ever, the beneficiaries of having Plympton's drums punched higher in the mix. And the trilogy of "In Vitro," "In Vivo," and "In Vermin," now better showcase the soft singing of Silvers, creating a new dimension to the leitmotif that holds the album together.
If you're one of the many who have always loved this double album for its musicality and deep subject matter, you owe it to yourself to pick up Microgam's deluxe version today.
Little Blue Men
DELUXE VINYL EDITION
180g audiophile quality 12" vinyl, two-disc set
Gatefold cover with original artwork
Newly re-mastered
Lucky mouse foot included
Gatefold cover with original artwork
Newly re-mastered
Lucky mouse foot included
DELUXE 2CD/1DVD EDITION
Newly re-mastered, with original artwork and lucky mouse foot
DVD includes "Frozen Eggs for a Mouse's Dream" documentary
DVD includes "Frozen Eggs for a Mouse's Dream" documentary