The Sippy Cups - Electric Storyland! Live at the Great American Music Hall DVD

The Artists

San Francisco-based The Sippy Cups cultivated their audience by putting on shows (but with a real live band) much like the Baby Loves Disco parties, where groovy oldies are played for family dancing fun. Their first album, Kids Rock for Peas!, was more or less a snapshot of their live show at the time, full of cover songs by the likes of Elton John, The Velvet Underground, War, The Beatles, The Monkees, and early Pink Floyd.

Their first EP, Snail Song & Magic Toast!, began the band's exploration of original psychedelic music for kids. Their second full-length CD, Electric Storyland!, soon followed with songs full of imaginative lyrics and classic rock arrangements.

The Music

For their first live DVD, Electric Storyland! Live at the Great American Music Hall, the band feature songs from their 2006 CD Electric Storyland!. The DVD also includes performances of a new song, "Ladybug Beat," and a Ramones tribute from their first full-length album Kids Rock for Peas!.

Electric Storyland! Live at the Great American Music Hall isn't one of those one-camera, homemade deals: The whole thing was professionally and expertly directed and produced by Lou Weinert and Jim Iacona, and edited by Bob Sarles, filmed at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall, under Jeffrey Bihr's stage direction. The cynical might say nay to The Sippy Cups' over-the-top approach to kids' music, but hey, it looks like everybody is having a full-on family rock and roll experience!

This is an incredibly interactive presentation, visually and performance-wise...the band include members whose duties include juggling, unicycling, character portrayal (with lots of costume changes), and dancing, just dancing. Oversized puppets punctuate lyrics from several songs, a giant jellyfish glides gracefully across the stage, and superheroes and robots make special appearances. Susan Verlander's illustrations fly superimposed across the screen while her husband Mark plays guitar and sings. The Sippy Cups' live show is playfully trippy and impressively staged.

The Verdict

Equal parts carnival, magic show, vaudeville presentation, and musical happening, The Sippy Cups' concert DVD Electric Storyland! Live at the Great American Music Hall dazzles both the live audience and the viewers at home. Recommended for the whole family.

Released November 27, 2007; Snacker Disc

Track Listing

1. "Drinking from the Sky"
2. "Little House of Jello"
3. "Hair Professor & The Jellyfish"
4. "The Jellyfish"
5. "Springtime Fantastic"
6. "Meet Major Minor"
7. "Move Your Pants"
8. "Ladybug Beat"
9. "How to Build a Dog"
10. "Superguy Returns"
11. "Use Your Words"
12. "Magic Toast"
13. "I am a Robot"
14. "Little Puffer"
15. "I Wanna be Elated"
16. "Flower Tower"