Review of Twink from Score, Baby!

Let me just say this up front: Twink is a must have for anyone who enjoys a unique musical vision. Twink, which is an illustrated book and CD, is the work of Mike Langlie, a collector of toy instruments who isn't satisfied to merely tinker with them. Instead of putting together a cutesy novelty record, he's created an hour's worth of imaginative, intricately arranged compositions that convey a mix of giddy naivety and fierce intelligence.

With song titles like "Ant Farm" and "Dance of the Fire Flies" it is tempting to enter the listening experience with a certain amount of skepticism — just how nauseatingly cutesy will Twink be? But instead of nauseating, you get fascinating. It's astonishing the range of moods Langlie coaxes out of instruments such as: toy piano, slide whistle, water glasses, squeaky toys and giggle sticks. Some of these tracks are actually suspenseful and dark — and all of it provides proof of a sophisticated musical mind.

The book features a picture story about a toy piano-playing rabbit who jams with woodland critters. The drawings are charming and have an almost zen-like simplicity. Highly recommended.