DLCLive.com reviews Monkeypuzzle
DLClive.com, June 8, 1999
24-7: Ray from Florida
Monkey Puzzle is one of the more interesting records to come out of Boston in 1998. Interesting in that one would never guess the band hailed from Boston given their circa 1980's prog-pop sound. The closest cousin to Baby Ray in this old town would be the defunct Poundcake, who were equally as daring in arrangement and flawless in harmony (check out The Gravy too!)
The moment the laser strikes the disc one is reminded of Andy Partridge, but I am certain Baby Ray has heard enough (dear god!) XTC references, so let's not go down that road. Moving on... Monkey Puzzle contains all the right stuff: inventive arrangements, clever wordplay, sterling vocals and harmonies, strong performances, and in some cases, a radio-friendly vibe. The songs on this disc are full of quirks and zigs and zags, yet are accessible due to the underlying pop format and strangely nostalgic feel. I don't mean to say they are a derivative band, just vaguely familiar in a good way, really. What I particularly enjoy and appreciate about Baby Ray is their ability to have some self-control. The guitars on Monkey Puzzle avoid the fuzz pedal mastabatory verse part into the ejaculatory chorus--no explosions, no Cobain howls.
The production on the record is even and the tracks fall into their appropriate slots. It's a very tidy record, if that' at all possible. The first track, "Never Know My Name" is a clear radio single stand out (which would account for its top billing on the disc). Somewhere there's a network formulating a new TV series like Friends. I would nominate this track as this yet-to-be-created show's theme song. You may recall The Rembrandts' young, white, and well-behaved song bemoaning the post-college years when you "feel like you're always stuck in second gear...?" Anyway, this is one the gems on Monkey Puzzle worth many listens.
At this point, whether due to laziness, ineptitude, or the damn heat, here's the lowdown. The vocals remind me of Andy Partridge, Mark Knopfler, David Lowery, and a little bit of Jason Falkner. The stand out tracks on the disc were "Never Know My Name," "MFG (My F!ing Girl)," "Snipe Hunter," and "Buster Pig Man." Monkey Puzzle = good time.