Liner notes from a band’s album, CD or cassette have always been one of my favorite things to read. Every once in a while someone writes something so funny and clever that listeners make an immediate emotional connection with the band. 


Having an intent mind when listening during that first seating with an album is immensely important.


When I sit down with a stack of CDs, albums and audio files that people I know send me to review, I always look at the liner notes first. I then listen to a few seconds of each song to get an idea of the band’s sound and style, so that I can prepare myself (and my audio settings) to enjoy fully. It is always fun, and after listening to all of them (in this case 7 “albums”) I typically write about the one I resonated most with.

In the case of The Whispering Olympians (who make their home in the NY Hudson Valley) debut LP “Your Problems Don’t Want You”, the liner notes started me off with the idea that these guys were really sharp and creative… kinda like Zappa’s whole wacky image… a bunch of musical screwballs having an absolute blast creating and sharing music. Just from a few lines of copy… my sense was being in a band means everything to these five guys.

The Whispering Olympians describe themselves as “a ship with rich sonic cargo”… that’s f’in awesome.


With songs titles like “Gene Wilder’s Hair Experience”, “Jewish Girls from New England” and “Transvestite Foam” and an array of instruments and sounds on the new album, the first comparison that popped in me mind was The Flaming Lips meets The Samples (without the reggae thing) meets Les Claypool (without the crazy bass solos). 


Nice company for the Whispering Olympians.

When I got to track 7 called “Transvestite Foam”… I become curious as to what it actually is.  When I typed “Transvestite Foam” into Google, here is what I got…

I have to ask WO bandman Will Olsen if this is what was on their mind when writing the song.


The band took great care to layer in enjoyment-enhancing details like the baseball stadium organ on the last track “National Pastimes and Last Sentences”.  The final mix is terrific and creates a vivid layer of instruments.


To those that need a kick to change up the playlist… here it is. The Whispering Olympian’s “Better Homes and Gargling” and “Occupational Jumpsuit” just made my playlist!


If not the Whispering Olympians, try someone else new like Michael Hunton or Dawes or Magnolia Electric Company.



Whatever you do, keep flapping your wings Rancheleros!!!!!