Filk and Cookies: A Review

Calgary singer and songwriter Vanessa Cardui has been a fixture on Calgary's musical scene over the last several years, first as lead singer for Heroincredible, and then as a solo artist. Her focus has been more in the realm of fringe culture, as she has been a feature performer at Con-Version; the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo; and the When Words Collide literary conference. In the words of one of her lyrics, she is "whimsical, cheerful, and charming"; her previous release, Thought Experiment, also exposed the raw emotions under the surface.

Her latest CD, Filk and Cookies, is a limited-edition "thank you" to her fans in the realms of science fiction and fantasy fandom, the historical reconstructionist Society for Creative Anachronism, and computer gaming. The result is a musical curiosity, for perhaps only someone fully acquainted with all of these subcultures will fully appreciate Cardui's creation.

It's an album that makes one wish for the heyday of vinyl, as both sides of Cardui are in evidence in the album's fourteen tracks. Here are the serious, painstakingly researched and lovingly arranged period pieces, side by side with the catchy, singable tunes one would expect to find played after hours in a guest room or abandoned function room at a convention.

One of the highlights on the serious side is "The Derelict" (a.k.a. "Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum"), a lilting, yet haunting, rendition of Young E. Allison's poem, as is the a capella chant-like "Elsinore". Her new arrangement of "The Dragon-Slayer", also a capella, gives seeming gravitas to Heroincredible's cult favourite while maintaining the underlying humour.  "I Am A Tombstone", a 1st Century musical epitaph, is also sad but sweet. Of her instrumentals, "The Swan Egg", based on "Leda and the Swan", is a delight, and gamers should appreciate her homages to Super Mario Bros. and Trogdor.

On the more humorous side are her musical treatment of Commander Data's "Ode to Spot" from Star Trek: The Next Generation; "Gibbet in Style", a Gilligan's Island take on the fate of Captain Kidd; "The History of Red Dwarf" based on a Barenaked Ladies tune; "The Tywin Lannister Experience" from Game of Thrones, "This Hat Makes You Look Like An Idiot", a fond nod to Firefly's "Browncoat" fans; and "In Defense of Buffy Season 1", arguably the weakest song on the album but still enjoyable. There's also a cover of "Molasses", by Karl Nygren of the BC band "Immune 2 Cobras", telling the tale of a 1919 molasses spill, whose inclusion here is a little headscratching, but perhaps will appeal to those who love Steampunk.

Filk and Cookies may be a mixed bag, and some pieces may not be for everyone, but it's a worthy addition to Cardui's growing repertoire. Comes with a lyric sheet and poster suitable for framing. Parental advisory for "flaming filthy filk".