Magic Beans
Butter Dog, 2022
8/10
The family musician Eric Herman returns with his first album in six years, and he’s certainly made the wait worth it with these socially and politically aware songs for the young ears, where his diverse form of pop-rock is never predictable.
“Googly Eyes” opens the listen with warm vocal harmonizing before smooth and agile folk-rock unfolds with much playfulness, and “Merry-Go-Round” follows with fluid drumming and cultured percussion entering the hushed singing and dreamy climate that would fit in well in the ‘70s.
The punchy and rhythmic jazz ideas of “Mushroom Pizza” talks about Herman’s disdain for the fungi food, while the breezy and cultured “My Brother” recruits soulful backing vocals that are quite soothing. “Side Scroller”, one of the album’s best, then gets a bit funky, bluesy and very charming and complete with a sax solo.
Close to the end, “Magic Beans” offers a soft, hazy display of gorgeous textures, and “Don’t Worry, Alright?” puts a very easy going spin on a Bobby McFerrin song that’s just as uplifting as the original.
Herman and company are likely to remind you of Shel Silverstein, Frank Zappa, Jerry Garcia, Jack Black and even Mr. Rogers, and the strong attention to detail yet spontaneous feel makes for a kid-friendly listen that will certainly appeal to the parents who still spin their Beatles and Pink Floyd records, too.
Travels well with: Ben Tatar And The Tatar Tots- Seconds; The Laurie Berkner Band- Let’s Go!