Weekly Summary (12/23/13 - 1/5/14)

Free Music (and New Video) from Todd McHatton

In the glass-half-empty/glass-half-full approach to looking at this, you could either say, "Stefan, it's been 48 hours since Todd McHatton made all his music free for download, and you're only telling me now? Grr!"

Or, you could be in the spirit of the season and view the glass as half-full (or more) and say, "Stefan, thanks for giving me 48 hours to download Todd McHatton's music for free!"

That's right, through Dec. 25, you can download of the California power/psychedelic popster's family-friendly music for free.  Just go to McHatton's Bandcamp page and begin.

And while you're downloading away, check out McHatton's latest self-animated video for his song "Santa Flying In Your Sleigh," a fun track from his Christmas Songs album, which he updates (almost) annually -- this year the update features a brand new "I Think I'm a Bunny" holiday remix.  Christmas joy to go around!

Todd McHatton - "Santa Flying In Your Sleigh" [YouTube]

 

Weekly Summary (9/30/13 - 10/6/13)

World Premiere Video: "For Halloween This Year" - You and Me and the Rain (Lori Henriques and Todd McHatton)

You and Me and the Rain Cover Art lowres.jpg

It's been a busy past few weeks for Los Angeles' Todd McHatton.  Last week saw the release of his (first) EP and animated show with Mista Cookie Jar as part of Todd and Cookie.

This week, another new band he's a part of, You and Me and the Rain, is unleashed upon the world.  His partner in this effort?  Portland's Lori Henriques.

The first product of their collaboration is a duet about Halloween creativity called "For Halloween This Year," though to call it a "duet" sells it short by half, as both Henriques' older child and McHatton's younger one make vocal contributions.

The idea of combining Henriques' jazz and showtune sensibility and McHatton's psychedelic kindie was not obvious to me when I first heard of it, but their shared taste for nifty wordplay ("is rogue in vogue this year?") and their well-matched vocal tones shows that this could be very fruitful.  What could come from this? It's fun not knowing.

In any case, I'm pleased as punch to present the world premiere of the song's video, directed by Gina and Todd McHatton and offering low-cost, high-imagination costumes for Halloween (or anytime of year).

You and Me and the Rain (Lori Henriques and Todd McHatton) - "For Halloween This Year" [YouTube]

Weekly Summary (9/23/13 - 9/29/13)

Itty-Bitty Review: Todd and Cookie Epic 3 Song Starter Pack

Todd McHatton and C.J. Pizarro (AKA Mista Cookie Jar) are not necessarily the first names that come to mind when you think of natural duet partners, but neither were peanut butter and chocolate, when you think about it, and look how popular that combo is now.

Could it happen for Todd and Cookie?  Could they get some significant placement in a Steven Spielberg movie?  OK, that's doubtful., but I could see the Los Angeles duo picking up a few fans with their slightly-oxymoronically titled debut EP Epic 3 Song Starter Pack.  I would say that the songs are more MCJ's hyperactive melting pot of musical styles than McHatton's '70s orchestral pop, more Cookie than Todd.  "All These Magical Things" is a swirly AutoTuned pop gem, the album's best, with "HotchToozZee" more crazy, and "You're My Bestest Bro" more mellow.

This is kids' music, but not necessarily kids' tunes.  The album's most appropriate for kids ages 4 through 8.  You can hear the album on Spotify, or stream right here.   Those looking for the measured AM radio pop of McHatton's Underbirds project with Morgan Taylor might not necessarily dig, but if your family needs some mashed-up kid-friendly songs from the 22nd century, dig in.  Recommended.

Note: I was given a copy for possible review. 

[Bonus: Here's the first episode of "Todd and Cookie's Catapult of Destiny," "The World of Rock."  It actually makes the EP sound kind of tame.]