The second album of strange and fascinating pop by obscure keyboard expert Pea Hix and mad scientist Rob Crow (Thingy, Pinback, Heavy Vegetable). The duo left their optigan (OPTIcal orGAN) at home for this outing, favoring the instruments progeny, the Chilton Talentmaker (hence the title) and the Vako Orchestron. Includes the hysterical "Poodleman," the stirring "Oar" and "The Outer Space." (AK010)

This is a project released by Optiganally Yours' Pea Hicks in 1997. While it's not directly related to Optigan stuff, there is Optigan to be found on the album, and the spirit of the whole project falls right in line with the spirit of all this Optigan research. Essentially, Lucas is a sonic archaeology project. PeaI took loads of found audio recordings and collaged them into one big mess of everyday people talking and singing about all sorts of things. Sources of found audio include homemade phonograph records, open reel tapes, and cassettes. On Vinyl Communication.

This CD contains all of the known promotional recordings that Mattel produced for the Optigan. Basically there were two different cassettes that were distributed at different times: one containing 1/2 hour of Christmas standards, and one containing a 15 minute "tour" of the Optigan, featuring voiceover work by Mike LeDoux. For anyone who is interested in hearing how the Optigan sounded in the best of all possible circumstances, this CD is a must. Johnny's arrangements and performances are remarkable! A specially customized Optigan was used for the recordings which minimized hum and buzz, but this CD proves once and for all that the Optigan, even at it's very best, was still an incredibly noisy and lo-fi instrument!! Bottom line: I don't want to hear any more complaints about scratchy discs!! ;) Brought to you by Optigan authority, Optiganally Yours' own Pea Hicks.

Rob Crow and Pea Hix made their fabulous debut on this unique and innovative album that earned them fans like Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo) and Craig McCrackin (Powerpuff Girls creator who created and named a character "Beebo" after a song on this album!) who both included the band on the Powerpuff Girls soundtrack. The optigan is a 1970's toy organ made by Mattel that used primitive sampling technology. It has enjoyed a cult status among musicians and music lovers alike very much due to OY's efforts. Includes "Remo," "Mr. Wilson" and the best cover ever of "Wichita Lineman." On Headhunter/Cargo.

on Headhunter/Cargo