I forgot to mention when I released the best of, I also opened a new online shop to sell my tunes, art, etc. I also forgot to mention that I finally finished the Ghost On Television tapes! I think they came out looking pretty damn fine. Get ‘em while they last.. $5.
on quite a pollard kick the last few days. this ep is fantastic!
thanks to bob for this overly sweet blogpost about the best of.
bob is the best.
Today in the car I played the boys The Soft Bulletin as we drove through town on our way to meet up with their dad. We listened to Race For the Prize (or “Race” as they called it) five times in a row and Buggin’ (aka “Bugs”) at least four or five times. It was especially fun to yell “here come the drums” and with out fail see two toddlers in the back seat begin to flail their arms all over playing the overly huge drum parts.
*off to make a best of lips cd for the car for future outings..
After ten years of recording songs into tape decks, four tracks, computers, etc. etc.
After ten years of playing songs in basements, living rooms, coffee shops, bars, etc. etc.
After the birth of my daughter, it felt like a perfect time to pause and reflect on my recording career as El-tin Fun. With help and analysis from the leading experts of El-tinology, we have curated a mix tape of our favorite El-tin Fun songs. Twelve songs, thirty four minutes. Each major release is represented plus a few odds and ends. Thank you to everyone for their input and selections. Thanks to anyone who has ever taken the time to listen or come out to a show, it has been much appreciated.
The Tunes:
“Cactus Flower and the Willameans”
Originally released on 2010’s Sunburned Skeptics. It’s been called the quintessential El-tin Fun song (by someone, I’m sure). It features a voicemail from Wilson K. that finds him inquiring about an iphone app. It also has the best cute cat music video ever: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FydoZS-0nU It was thought (probably because of the video) that this song was all about our cat, Willameans (aka Willi). I think it’s about so much more than that (no offense Willameans)… Life, love, the ever after, all wrapped up in three and half minutes of rock bliss.
“Dinosaur Water”
Originally released on 2012’s Ghosts on Television. The title was inspired by making a cup of dinosaur water for a four year old. Don’t know what dinosaur water is? It’s water in a plastic cup that has a dinosaur drawn on it… The opening lyrics were taken from the idea of my friend Andrew starting a band and calling it Andrew & The Unrelated Waters. It was a tip of the hat to him, Mr. Andrew Gallas. It goes on to reference an older El-tin Fun song “Tunnel,” with the line “back into the tunnel again.” The rest of the song is bits and pieces of life at the time when it was written, circa 2011-2012.
“Crystallized Chest”
Crystallized Chest can be found as the A-side on the Crystallized Chest single, originally released in 2010. An earlier version can be found as a part of the Cassingles Project, released in 2009. It was recorded and mixed in one evening back in August of 2010 and then subsequently remixed for this release on April 26th 2013. No doubt, it was very inspired by all of the garage rock I was listening to that summer. I was also trying to do my best Mo Tucker on the drums, but somehow don’t think I reached that status.
“Polka Dots on the Horizon”
Pokla Dots… Can be found on the Floorboards EP, a split released with K.Wilhelm in 2010. His side of things can be found here: kwilhelm.bandcamp.com The main organ part came as a result of jamming with a two year old.
“Darlin’”
Darlin’ can be found on the second El-tin Fun album, 2007’s Sing Like Buildings.
“Broken Mirror Bend”
Originally released on 2008’s The Ruiner. My attempt at writing a children’s song. A rather weird one, I think. All of the instruments were recorded through a microphone on a handheld tape deck and then fed into a four track. That may account for so much of the lo-finess.
“A Sunburned Skeptic”
Another from Sunburned Skeptics. Features an out of this world slide guitar solo by Tom in the midsection.
“Eat It Up”
This one can also be found on Ghosts on Television, a personal favorite.
“Yr Pink Lungs”
This song can be found on The Golden Silence of Tin, released in 2009. It’s origins date back to a demo made in 2004. I loved the demo so much that I thought I’d never be able to top the original performance. I’m happy this version finally came together some five years later.
“Cowbells and Indians”
This song can be found on the very first El-tin Fun album called Music to Garden to, released in 2003. I believe it was the first song that I ever showed to friend and collaborator Bobby Lee where he cursed at me because he thought it was so good. It’s how I’ve come to gauge whether anything else I’ve ever done creatively is of any decent quality. If Bobby doesn’t curse, it’s probably not worth a damn.
“A Pink Nativity”
This is the original version of A Pink Nativity released in 2009 on the Measuring Punches in Pens and Verbs “mini album.” Most people are more familiar with the version that can be found on the Sunburned Skeptics LP.
“Midwestern Child”
This rock version of Midwestern Child can be found on Random Tandems, an EP released in 2010 shortly after Sunburned Skeptics. There’s a lovely acoustic rendition on Nurses vs. Nurses, a record by Animal or Vegetable released in 2009. animalorvegetable.bandcamp.com
All songs recorded 2003-2012.
Compilation curated April 2013.
All songs by El-tin Fun.
Who is Jason E. Lambeth.
Who also played and recorded most of the instruments and machines. Who has been helped out so much by Connie, Bobby, Tom, Nathan, Krista, Wes, Elsa, Andrew, Joe, Sarah B., Sarah R., Ingrid, John, Janelle, Alex, Nina, Ben, Tony, Stéphane, Brian, Carisa, Levi, Todd, Chis and Camille.
Album artwork inspired by The Kinks - Kink Kontroversy and Sleater Kinney - Dig Me Out.
Purchase physical copies HERE.
Stream and download HERE.
While working on packaging the other day, I ran into some old school layouts.
This was totally my jam today. Listened to the first Real Estate album while making dinner.
While Bob is finishing up mixing the aov album, I’ve been keeping busy with several projects. Putting together a best of El-tin Fun album, putting together an album out of unreleased tracks, and making lots of tapes. All of these tapes need covers.
Fantastic find at St. Vinnies today. A small beat up guitar, it sounds terrible and I can’t wait to take it to work and jam with the boys. They are going to love it.
Tomorrow our dear friend and roommate Krista (who drummed on this) moves out after a two month stay. Connie, Camille, the cats (esp. Willi) and myself will miss having her around. It’s been a fabulous couple of months! Good luck to Krista (and Nathan) in Japan and beyond…
