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Crispin Hellion Glover (b. 1964)



The Big Problem ≠ The Solution. The Solution = Let It Be. (1989)


  1. Overture 0:33
  2. Selected Readings From Rat Catching 3:51
  3. The New Clean Song 2:15
  4. Auto-Manipulator 4:08
  5. Clowny Clown Clown 2:55
  6. Getting Out Of Bed 2:32
  7. These Boots Are Made For Walking 4:03
  8. The Daring Young Man On The Flying Trapeze 3:36
  9. Never Say "Never" To Always 0:54
  10. Selected Readings From Oak Mot Part I 6:40
  11. Selected Readings From Oak Mot Part II 2:02
  12. Selected Readings From Oak Mot Part III 3:21
  13. Selected Readings From Oak Mot Part IV 6:19
  14. Untitled 1 – 2:11
  15. Untitled 2 – 2:30
  16. Untitled 3 – 1:14


The Big Problem ≠ The Solution. The Solution = Let It Be (aka The Big Problem Does Not Equal the Solution, The Solution Equals Let It Be) is the name of an album by Crispin Glover. The liner notes state that if you discover what "The Big Problem" is, then you can call (213) 464-5053 to tell Glover what you think it is. As of June 2007, the phone number has been disconnected.


Most actors who want to become rock musicians tend to take traditional routes. Kevin Bacon tried his hand at blues-rock, Johnny Depp and Keanu Reeves took on alternative, and even Russell Crowe played in a pub rock band. But Crispin Glover took a much different approach to making music. Sounding like a cross between King Missile and circus music, The Big Problem is one crazy slab of sound. Glover's voice (which has an thin, endearing tremble) serves as the narrator to the world of nonsense he's documented on this album. Occasionally he takes the listener by surprise with a melody. Both the hypnotic "The New Clean Song" and the soothing "Never Say Never to Always" are actually pretty good songs hidden among the madness. But mostly he rants and raves in a stream-of-conscious manner over the genre-hopping music. Most of the time this works in his favor; in fact, his Residents-esque cover of "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" is a nervy delight. The original songs, like the hilarious "Clowny Clown Clown," can be equally entertaining. But sometimes he runs headfirst into his own limitations, like on his disturbing attempt at rap, "Auto Manipulator," a harsh tribute to masturbation that lacks any subtlety at all. A good portion of the material is taken from his books of poetry, which are definitely crazy but not always engaging. But Glover is a very original entertainer, making his musical mark with this weird collection of songs. Fans of edgy, bizarre music will probably enjoy this one immensely. -- Bradley Torreano


RELATED RESOURCES:
Crispin Hellion Glover in UbuWeb Film