Highwire Daze reviews Monkeypuzzle

Highwire Daze, October/November 1998
Reviews: Brett Miller

So you say you're tired of the Alanis's and the Madonnas and the Seven Mary Third Eye Blinds? Then listen to this! The press release says "The lamest looking tape in the hopefuls bin found its way to the label president's desk." He played it and was "pleasantly surprised to find it unlike anything he's ever heard." What? You say you don't believe it? Well, it's true! So there. Imagine a world where XTC, R.E.M., and Elvis Costello rule the airwaves (well, they did in the early 80's on some stations) and thgen add a bunch of swearing, devil-may-cares in a garage and you get Baby Ray. Jangly guitars with actual solos(!), a distinctive voice singing about the usual crappy relationships with wit and sarcasm and quirky time signatures make up just a little piece of Monkeypuzzle. If you enjoy adventurous rock and roll with a likeable sound, then ask for Baby Ray's Monkeypuzzle at your local independent record store. And tell the world how great your life is now!