The Tinklers, Casserole (side A)

My first association with the Tinklers is always the word naïve.  Simply structured songs that sound like lullabyes, played on homemade toy instruments, helps to conjure an association of naïveté.  Most of all, though, lyrics from songs like "Mom Cooks Inside, Dad Cooks Outside" or "Don't Put Your Finger in the Fan" emphasize the group's childlike quality.  I was amazed, on a renewed listen to their 1989 debut Casserole, when I heard "Norman Mayer".  It's an incredibly serious song about a radical anti-war protestor named Norman Mayer, whose aggressive threats led to his being murdered by police.  While the lyrics and music still employ a child-like tone, the content is clearly targeted at adults.  On closer listen, the maturity hiding beneath the surface pokes through in other areas, with overdubs and production tricks existing alongside some clever arrangement decisions.  The Tinklers' odd juxtaposition of these elements is executed impressively here, with an abundance of short songs that illustrate their distinct vision.  The cover image and lettering match the concept with an appropriate visual analog.