"Mighty Monkey"- Merriment, 2000 Backburner

In 2000, Vic released this funny little record (his seventh) on Backburner. It is a collaborative effort, with fellow Athenians, Kelly and Nikki Keneipp. My understanding of the record is that Vic would write the lyrics (or provide the lyrics) and the Keneipps would arrange the music. The results are interesting, and at times, it feels a little too tailored for Vic, almost as if the process is specifically made to highlight his input rather than that of the Keneipp's.

Peter Jesperson, currently of New West records, reviewed that album at the time of it's release, and he described it as such... "There are bits of Lewis Carroll, funny, ominous, Brecht-Weill-ian nursery rhyme words, recitation, singing and music (stuff that will make you shudder but then you won't be sure just why). And some just plain silliness."

'Mighty Monkey' very aptly shows Vic's writing ability (which leans more towards the realm of short stories rather than lyrics) and his humor. And as a whole, the song feels like a whimsical foray into a world that is both eclectic, southern and just plain degenerative. His descriptions are so vivid and lively, that it's hard to not formulate visions of each of the protagonists.

Musically, the song is whimsical, and alluring. It's basic structure is just a rustic piano and clarinet (performed by Vic.) It's very mellow, dreamy structure that aptly frames the lyrical character study that has been created.

In the musical catalog that Vic released during his life, several basic themes reoccur- death, suicide, struggle, sarcasm and humor. Mighty Monkey accurately presents Vic's humorous side, and it is the highlight of this particular album, in my opinion.

MIGHTY MONKEY

smell the mighty monkey

trainer is a junky

and the tightrope walker

has one foot in the grave

invited to inspect

what is a trainwreck

you don't even have to check

it's evident

so evident

dancing bear is full of worms

see the puny pachyderms

lion tamer wrestles with

ghosts from his past

invited to inspect

what is a trainwreck

you don't even have to check

it's evident

so evident

clowns have herpes

and hepatitis c

the chick who runs the pony ride

we call her catherine the gross

invited to inspect

what is a trainwreck

you don't even have to check

it's evident

so evident

alcoholic acrobats

emcee smokes crack

last week the human cannonball

blew his brains out

invited to inspect

what is a trainwreck

you don't even have to check

it's evident

so evident