Earworm performed by Sean McCollough
I’m guessing that roots music aficionado Sean McCollough probably knows a thing or two about earworms. Having studied music from a very young age, McCollough performs music professionally, serves as a professor of music at the University of Tennessee, and is the host of The Kidstuff Show on WDVX. I’m sure in these various capacities, that he’s gotten more than one song stuck in his head. And you will too while listening to his latest album for children, Earworm.
The album opens with the title track which in a very meta way is itself an earworm. The simple melody, combined with catchy lyrics – “It’s an earworm, it’s not a wiggly worm, it’s not a squirmy worm, it’s just another term for a song stuck in your head” – will quickly engage listeners and play on repeat in their heads. A combination of original tunes and cover songs fill out the album’s often rock/pop tinged Americana sound. Some of the songs are just fun little ditties like “Her Name Was Lady” which gives a list of the names given to a variety of different goats while others like “Fuzzy Brown Vine (aka Poison Ivy)” teach children valuable information. “ABC (The Writing Song)” provides a new tune to learn the ABCs by as well as encourages children to try their hand at all kinds of writing from short things like haikus to long novels. Many listeners will relate to the very true tale of “Carsick” while others will appreciate the message of “Don’t Let them Get Yer Goat.” A couple of special guests join in the fun as well. Molly Ledford appears on her original tune, “Sunsphere” while Billy Jonas joins McCollough on the polyrhythmic chant, “Green Means Go.”
Earworm features accompaniment filled with a wide range of instruments with everything from a mandolin to African drums. While the musicianship is top-notch, it’s McCollough’s slightly gravely voice however that lends the album a sound that will appeal to children and adults alike. Like it’s namesake, Earworm will slowly make it’s way into your head and before you know it, you’ll be humming the various tunes and happily asking yourself – where do I know that from?
*While taking a listen to the 13 songs in this collection, take a few moments to check out the album’s cover featuring artwork by Knoxville-based printmaker Riley Bronough. Riley first came to McCollough’s attention when his wife bought a couple of Riley’s prints at an art show. Liking the look of the linocuts, McCollough contacted Riley and the Earworm album cover was born. What at first appears to be simple line drawings featuring just three main characters quickly becomes a seek and find for some of the things mentioned on the album. For more information on Riley and her art, visit www.cleversomedayprints.com.