Ze Malibu Kids
Sound It Out (Houston Party)
By Noreen Sobczyk
Published: June 18th, 2002 | 10:20am
"Ze Malibu Kidz are like David Hasselhoff as seen through German post-industrialist eyes."
--Steve McDonald
What's this? A woman singing along with (former Redd Kross boys) the McDonalds? The vocalist in question is Anna Waronker of That Dog fame. She and Steve McDonald were recently married. In fact, this whole album is a family affair (sans Mrs. Beasley). Brothers Jeff and Steve are also joined by Jeff's daughter Astrid (whose mom is Charlotte Caffey of the Go-Go's), who lends her tiny hands to the drums. Astrid -- along with the Shaggs -- might be the youngest girl ever to put out a CD. How cool is that?
The CD opens with "Shelly Fabares," a song with electronic drums and lilting, childlike keyboards. Truth be told, it reminds me a lot of the "Clueless" TV show theme (which isn't a bad thing). "Ze X Tasy Club," with its kitschy humor, comes across like a peek into an inside joke. "Your Bed" sounds like the smitten first month of a crush. I want to inject the song into my veins so I can always have that giddy rush. "Sleep Therapy" (from the film Sugar Town), with its dreamy guitar flange, is a depressed person's comforting lullaby. Anna's vocals pour sweetly like honey into a soothing mug of chamomile tea. "Standing in the Wrong Line" opens and continues with a Who-anthem-like guitar sound.
Jeff takes over vocals on "What's Wrong with Stephany," which seems so simply constructed it makes you say "I could have written this" (but you never did). "Fiona Apple," a Beatlesque tune, has great harmonies and just enough percussion to reflect "Norwegian Wood" (and "Ditty Diego" by the Monkees for good measure). "Don't Go" is a manic new-wave roller-rink-type tune with space-age sound effects. "Waiting for Our Last Time" is a '60s-like ballad akin to the school dance songs from the classic film To Sir with Love.
There is enough playfulness, well-crafted songwriting, and flawless harmony to make this album solid, but I would be lying if I said I didn't miss Redd Kross. You can hear samples of Ze Malibu Kids on the groovy website www.reddkross.com, and look out for Anna Waronker's solo record on Five Foot Two records on June 9.
$12. www.houstonpartyrecords.com/p>
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