Undeniable popstars, The Chipmunks, mark 50 years in the biz w/new album
Alvin and The Chipmunks have been among the greatest conveyors of pop music to the under-ten set for generations, releasing both original music and pop covers. Last year a Chipmunk revival was born when Alvin, Simon and Theodore hit the big screen with a CGI/live action movie with Jason Lee.
50 years after their inception, “The Chipmunk Song” is still a Christmas classic. Today’s children can sing the song along with their parents and grandparents. With a total of 44 albums released since 1958, there aren’t a whole lot of people unfamiliar with the little guys and their manager Dave.
Like most major pop acts, Alvin and the Chipmunks have big plans for their anniversary.
Fifty years after the release of their first single, “The Chipmunk Song,” the animated trio will release “Undeniable,” an album of covers (Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll,” Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer,” Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds”), new songs and remixes on the Razor & Tie label.
“Undeniable,” which comes out November 4, could benefit from that attention. “The album has a sophisticated sound,” says Ross Bagdasarian Jr., the owner of the Chipmunks franchise and son of its creator. “The musicianship is really first-rate, so it’s not some kiddie version of those songs.”
[Reuters via News.Yahoo.com]
I’m a big a fan of Alvin and his pals, but I don’t see them getting mainstream radio play anytime soon.
The Chipmunks are great but their music isn’t quite sophisticated, and I don’t think they would want it to be. I can only imagine that Mr. Bagdasarian’s quote was tongue in cheek while acknowledging the musicians at the same time.
The Alvin and The Chipmunks cartoon was an intregral part of my formative years. The Chipmunks and the Chipettes were on the TV often, even through high school. Now that I think about it, The Chipmunks and DuckTales may have been a part of my life a little too long. I’ll be picking this cd up to play in the car… you know, for when the kids are in there.
Header image of the Chipmunks movie via Best Week Ever.
Update by Celebitchy: Here’s the original Chipmunk Song
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmanBhZn1wwc2dnKehkZe5pqvPqKesrJGnwKDAx56WnKCZpbq2usqslqaZoqCsdny%2BspyaqqOUtq%2Br06GcmJqZr6y4usSwlpqkkqq6cA%3D%3D