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Steve Burns

Songs For Dustmites
2003
Pias America

Steve Burns - Songs For Dustmites (Cover Artwork)


Review by: benz
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Published on September 26th 2003

It's a shame that every single time this band (well, one guy) will be reviewed, interviewed, brought up in casual conversation, or even thought about, the popular children's television show "Blue's Clues" will be mentioned. Just go to his site and click the link that says "Where is the green striped shirt?" and you will be greeted by the following statement: "We, meaning Steve Burns, were the host of nickelodeon's show blues clues for 6 amazing years. Now we have made an album of music for grown-ups." That's right, the very same guy that, according to urban legend, was dead or something after a six year stint on a cable TV show has released a CD.

Now, if you still aren't curious to hear this record, here's another thing that should make you interested; The Flaming Lips - who I happen to believe are one of the greatest bands of our generation - have helped Steve out with the production of this new album, and it shows. If you are a fan of the Lips' latest effort Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots it's almost guaranteed that you will like this too....a lot. While Steve doesn't possess the seasoned wisdom of the Flaming Lips, he shares their limitless enthusiasm and incredible positive outlook. All the songs on this album dance around in such a carefree way, you can't help but crack a smile. It sounds like a bunch of friends got together on Saturdays and had a ball recording music and went on with their lives. Songs For Dustmites is a working-man's album; it's simple and gets its point across without becoming some repeating drone in your head.

Right off the bat, an erie piano and ambient sounds introduce a unique sound. Flaming Lips style zany sound effects abound accompanied by a string section and acoustic and electric guitars break into the feel-good anthem "Mighty Little Man". As the album unfolds we are taken into a spacey world inside the mind of the sometimes quirky, but overall pretty normal, Steve Burns. This album has its moments of great sincerity, as well as fun, making Steve out to be a really loveable guy. Just because this album is fun doesn't mean its silly or childish. On the stripped down acoustic track, "A Reason", he delicately sings "I need a reason to see you again, give me a reason...let's not be friends". Some of the songs are a bit slow at times, but still manage to grab attention. While I am partial to the title "Music For Montgomery County, PA" (I practically live there), it's basically slow ambient filler music. The album has its moments of euphonious beauty such as the dribbling piano strokes and synthesizers on "A Song For Dustmites" or the dreamy progression of "Henry Krinkles Lament".

This is one of those albums that you could listen to while on the porch with friends in the summer or sitting on a winter bench with a loved one watching the city lights. It's autumn music at its unconcerned best.



People who liked this also liked:
Operation Ivy - Operation IvySaves The Day - In ReverieMoneen - Are We Really Happy with Who We Are Right Now?Less Than Jake - Hello RockviewDescendents - Milo Goes To CollegeConverge - Jane DoeAt The Drive-In - VayaCriteria - En GardeDismemberment Plan - Emergency & IRadiohead - Hail To The Thief



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    Posted by sfbarker on 2003-10-02 09:24:29
    My Score:

    This album is the shizzle.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 1, 2003 at 3:31 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Motherfuckin' Fraggle Rock...REPRESENT!

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 30, 2003 at 11:53 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    SkateTV on nickelodeon, that show was rad

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 29, 2003 at 6:48 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    "Blue Clues, are you fucking kidding me? Hahahaha...."

    Dude Blues Clues is the shit! (at least it is when you have a five year old - ugh I feel old) Steve was way cooler than that jackoff Joe - what a dork.

    "I miss 1986"

    my first introduction to the genius of the Violent Femmes - sigh

    Posted by 501 on 2003-09-28 21:44:00
    My Score:

    Pete and Pete was the shit... The episode about the phone that rang for like 27 years... classic.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 28, 2003 at 6:19 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I really just can not take this guy seriously. 10 stars. Best one man joke band. Better than AWK.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 28, 2003 at 4:11 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    you cant forget spongebob thats got be the cartoon on right now but a box set of you cant do that on televsion would be sweet but i'll make do with the saved by the bell one

    Posted by dignin on 2003-09-28 03:57:37
    My Score:

    you guys watched cartoons, thats pussy shit.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 27, 2003 at 1:13 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    this record is reaaaaal good. i thought it was just OK at first but the more i listened the more i liked.

    Posted by thriceequalsgod on 2003-09-27 01:28:51
    My Score:

    Olmac is god.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 26, 2003 at 10:45 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    One of the dudes from Salute Your Shorts is now in Rilo Kiley, I'm pretty sure.

    Love, Dan.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 26, 2003 at 10:44 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I remember Hey Dude. They had a mexican guy on it.

    -Justin

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 26, 2003 at 10:34 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    the fact that Hey Dude has not been mentioned yet is a shame

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 26, 2003 at 9:50 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Remember that show Legends Of The Hidden Temple? I fucking loved that show.

    -Justin

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 26, 2003 at 7:52 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    AHHHHHHH MAYA THE BEE. I can still hear that god forsaken theme music in my nightmare. yeeikes.

    bryan styles.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 26, 2003 at 7:19 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    FUCK that's right. Add Nick Arcade to my list - I told you there was a lot I forgot.

    inagreendase

    Posted by zGRAVYzHAVOKz on 2003-09-26 18:46:50
    My Score:

    How is it that a conversation about Nickelodeon can come up and yet, noone mentions Nick Arcade, that show fucking rules.

    Posted by Eddie on 2003-09-26 17:13:06
    My Score:

    I'm seriously going to have to check this out.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 26, 2003 at 3:53 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    to the person below me: it was called "out of control". dave's best work. yeah and the screaming lady was a bit of a douche.

    one more thing, don't fuck with "mr. wizard's world". best educational show ever.

    Ramo

    Posted by TahoeJeff on 2003-09-26 15:51:05
    My Score:

    yeah..Dont just sit there was a rad show on old nick...Dave Coulier..Cut it out!! That chick who arlways screamed was annoying as hell though

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 26, 2003 at 3:50 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Nah, brah. I'm at work, can't get it here.

    -sickboi
    (hence no login)

    Posted by thriceequalsgod on 2003-09-26 15:44:29
    My Score:

    hey, since we're all on here now, just commenting every time we see something new, wanna just make an AIM chat?

    Posted by thriceequalsgod on 2003-09-26 15:43:36
    My Score:

    Zeke the plumber is coming for you

    Posted by Mr_Pink on 2003-09-26 15:42:20
    My Score:

    There's actually a lot of good stuff on here. It's got that Flaming Lips fuzzed-out bass thing from Yoshimi in a lot of it. The lyrics are more straight-ahead, but the guy's singing style is "sleepy," which makes some of the slower numbers, where he whisper-sings through the songs, a little hard for me to take. But overall, this is a really good first cd.

    Posted by inagreendase on 2003-09-26 15:40:32
    My Score:

    pete and pete. how could i not mention that.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 26, 2003 at 3:39 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    You left out Rocco's Modern Life, Argh! Real Monsters, and Hey Arnold.

    -sickboi
    (Donkeylips ruled)

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 26, 2003 at 3:39 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    anybody remembered "maya the bee" when they were young? i remember waking up at 9:25 am to get ready to see that show. best cartoon when i was growing up.

    Ramo
    (i miss 1986)

    Posted by inagreendase on 2003-09-26 15:35:22
    My Score:

    If we were to start a chat room or message board thread about old-school Nick, I don't think it would EVER break up, stop, or lag.

    Since everyone's contributing already, my favorites were:

    "The Ren and Stimpy Show"
    "Doug"
    "Salute Your Shorts"
    "Clarissa Explains it All"
    "What Would You Do?"
    "Weinerville"
    "Welcome Freshman"
    "You Can't Do That on Television!"
    "Roundhouse"
    "All That"
    "Kenan & Kel"
    "Are You Afraid of the Dark?"
    "Guts / Global Guts"

    and some others I probably can't think of right now.

    This score is one-tenth of what it really is for Old-school Nick. Old-school nick gets like a 100.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 26, 2003 at 3:28 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    People say I look like Doug, no shit.

    -sickboi
    (doo-doo-doo,doo,doo,doo)

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 26, 2003 at 3:27 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    old school NICK was the shit.

    my fav shows were salute your shorts, pete & pete, out of control, wild and crazy kids.

    if they ever made an old school NICK DVD compilation, i'll get it.

    Ramo

    Posted by thriceequalsgod on 2003-09-26 15:24:05
    My Score:

    know what would be cool??? a few old school nickelodeon dvd box sets. im talkin, salute your shorts, hey dude, pete & pete.... just think about it.. its AMAZING.

    ps. i have a feeling most of this comment board is gonna be one of two things: making fun of the fact that this guy used to host a very well known show for 3 year olds, and nickelodeon in general..

    Posted by inagreendase on 2003-09-26 15:22:47
    My Score:

    I really don't want to get into a discussion about old-school Nick, or even old-school Nick Jr. because old Stevie will get no comments about just his music.

    I remember reading a preview of this album in AP a couple months ago and going "what in the hell...?" Now I'll have to find some tracks.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 26, 2003 at 3:18 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    this cd is so fucking good. no joke. check it out. If you like the Flaming Lips, youll love this.

    -travis

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 26, 2003 at 3:17 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i remember classics like "eureka's castle" and "pinwheel" back then on nickelodeon.

    Ramo

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 26, 2003 at 3:09 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Blue Clues, are you fucking kidding me? Hahahaha....

    -sickboi

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 26, 2003 at 3:03 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    What a cool cover.

    Love, Dan.

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