Chipmunk Punk

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Chipmunk Punk is a children's/new wave album by The Chipmunks. Despite the title, none of the songs covered were considered in their original form to be punk rock songs. The album combinesthe sound of the early punk releases of the late 1970s/early 1980s with the structure of late 1960s/early 1970s progressive rock album releases. Although it was intended as a children's album, it has since taken a life of its own as an integral and important part of the soundtrack of many Gen Xers' lives, and continues to endure to this day. It was released on August 23, 1980 (see 1980 in music). The album peaked at #34 on the Billboard 200 (which was actually known as the Pop Albums Chart prior to the album's release). It eventually was certified Gold by the RIAA on October 14, 1980, becoming the Chipmunks first gold record. In 2005 it was re-released on CD, although the CD is only available through the official Chipmunks website.

History

The inspiration for the album came when KMET DJ Chuck Taylor played the 12" version of the Blondie song "Call Me" at double speed and announced, in jest, that it was the Chipmunks' latest single. So many requests came for this "new" Chipmunks release, that Ross Bagdasarian Jr. and his collaborator Steve Vining rushed to record this album, which became the first new Chipmunks album since The Chipmunks Go To The Movies in 1969, and the first of the "second generation" Chipmunks following the death of original producer Ross Bagdasarian Sr. (who also had voiced the characters) in 1972. Though this release followed a long dormancy record-wise, the characters had returned to public view via Saturday morning repeats of the cartoon series The Alvin Show on NBC in 1979. The album sparked a second run of the characters and led to another Saturday morning cartoon series, Alvin And The Chipmunks, which began in 1983 and also aired on NBC.

Critical reception

Upon this release, the album met mixed critical reviews. The All Music Guide gave it a glowing review, saying that it "neatly and expertly summarized a prime period of FM radio", but Rolling Stone roundly panned it, describing the album as a symptom of corporate greed in the world of television animation.

Legacy

In the years since this album release, it has been cited as an influence on popular music and television comedy. In the Simpsons episode "Marge's Son Poisoning", the album's arrangement of the Knack's "My Sharona" was reenacted by the characters Jimbo, Dolph, and Kearney, even making the cover pose at the end.

Band lineup

Production

2005 CD Edition credits

Track listing

Vinyl

Side one

  1. "Let's Go" (R. Ocasek) – 3:35
  2. "Good Girls Don't" (D. Feiger) – 3:13
  3. "How Do I Make You...?" (B. Steinberg) – 2:23
  4. "Refugee" (T. Petty/M. Campbell) – 3:07
  5. "Frustrated" (D. Fieger/B. Averre) – 2:54


Side two

  1. "Call Me" (D. Harry/G. Moroder) – 3:11
  2. "You May Be Right" (W. M. Joel) – 4:03
  3. "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" (F. Mercury) – 2:39
    • —this track was extended to – 2:47 on the CD
  4. "My Sharona" (D. Fieger/B. Averre) – 4:03

CD

  1. "Call Me" (D. Harry/G. Moroder) – 3:11
  2. "Refugee" (T. Petty/M. Campbell) – 3:07
  3. "Frustrated" (D. Fieger/B. Averre) – 2:54
  4. "You May Be Right" (W. M. Joel) – 4:03
  5. "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" (F. Mercury) – 2:47
  6. "My Sharona" (D. Fieger/B. Averre) – 4:03
  7. "How Do I Make You...?" (B. Steinberg) – 2:23
  8. "Good Girls Don't" (D. Fieger) – 3:13
  9. "Let's Go" (R. Ocasek) – 3:35

References

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