Too Much Fun!
Some guys just never grow up, thank heavens. The Holy Modal Rounders and their misbehaving fellow travelers have been both celebrating and undermining American folk music with unhinged gusto since the early 1960s. (Their debut was recorded the day before President Kennedy's assassination.)Too Much Funproves that time hasn't tempered founding RoundersPeter Stampfeland Steve Weber, and short-timer Dave Reisch, who joined in 1971. They may be receiving Social Security soon, but they behave as if they've eaten too much sugar during recess. Indeed, these guys bring playtime exuberance to tunes that are as old as the hills, ultimately bringing the songs back to life. The trio's exuberantly off-key vocals may initially prove jarring to the uninitiated, but their sheer musicality and uncanny knack for twisting traditionals into weird and wonderful shapes is ultimately winning. The aptly titledToo Much Joywill stand as one of the best folk albums of 1999.--Steven Stolder