Shadow Puppet Disco - Mertle

This is an SPD track that for some reason never made it on to our 2nd album (possibly it was recorded after it was released). I didn't even realize this song existed until I was digging through the SPD folder on this old Windows 2000 computer my parents had. So, there are a few other hidden gems on there that I have rescued and will share as well. If I feel so inclined, I may end up posting video files for our more popular songs and writing blurbs about how their history, inspiration, and how they were created. For posterity.



This song file was just labeled "polka.mp3" for some reason, but I have decided to call the song Mertle. It is a bizarre track that seems like it is constantly building up to something and getting ready to spin a folksy tale with an important lesson. But it really ends up having no substance (big surprise, I know). The lyrics are weird and cliche at the same time, a random mix of sayings that could fit in a children's song or video game repeated over and over. It feels like it fits well alongside Flight #467 (or whatever) or Jovian Cowgirl. The drumming is a delight, sort of intentionally off beat and random, going it's own way whenever the drummer felt like it (maybe from the crazy mind of Alex?). And the piano playing has that wondrous SPD repetitiveness along with the competent play of Martin. There is also what may be the best use of the zip whistle ever in an SPD song. However, my favorite part is the random sound clip towards the end. I can't entirely understand it, but it sounds like some kind of children's cereal commercial. It's probably giving any of this nonsense way too much credit, but I imagine this song to be a bizarre critique of how so much pop music is style over substance, sounding exciting without really ever doing anything unique or interesting. I suppose that is sort of what SPD is all about. That and Elmer's Glue.

Stay tuned for more soon . . .