By far the best for original Bobs tunes
boy_howdy | Northfield, MA United States | 11/26/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first heard "Food for Rent" on a college radio show in Boston; at the time, I was in an acapella group myself, and we were having a heck of a time arranging an XTC song. Since then I have purchased six Bobs albums, been to four concerts and seen them at several festivals for shorter sets, but this album is still my favorite (don't knock the first album, though -- it is a bit more performance-art in style but makes for an excellent collection counterpart to this album).The Laundry Cycle is exquisite -- you'll find yourself putting the 45 second "Where does the Wayward Footwear Go" on that last little bit of extra space at the end every mix tape you make. The shorter food-themes duo on the other side is fun, too; between them, the country-fied "Corn Dogs" and the more classical romp of "Food to Rent" showcase the breadth and depth of the original "Bob Four." Overall, a consistent and enjoyable album which makes for a good introduction to the work of the Bobs or the crowning glory of a full collection (you mean you have all their cover albums but you don't have this one?)"
Classic Bobs
Michael McDaniel | Kirkland, WA USA | 03/27/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the album that made the Bobs one of the top a cappella groups. Their bizarre humor and close harmony make a great match, and songs like "First I was a hippie, then I was a stockbroker, now I am a hippie again" are light poke at today's issues while still getting caught in your head.I also really like their new album, "Coaster." Both are highly recommended."
Skillful but not endearing
Mr. Scott T. Allen | Naperville, IL | 10/18/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The singing is good. That said, most songs were not clever and many are overtly political and suck the fun out of the CD.
The connection to NPR made by another reviewer makes sense -- The Bobs were marketing themselves -- but I expect gentle kidding and silly situations in this genre. "Paper or Plastic" is a great example, clever, well-executed. Download that song if you can and skip the rest of this CD...unless you just love a capella music for the harmonies."