Toy Story, McCartney, Fable, etc.

How many more stories can they tell about toys, people ask…

But somehow people keep telling stories about humans, and surely if any type of story has been played out by now, that would be the one.


Having a brand new Paul McCartney album to listen to is making a hard week a lot easier. Like having an old friend stop by to help out by just keeping me company. Continue reading “Toy Story, McCartney, Fable, etc.”

Insipid Liner Notes: Doo-Wop Rogue

Stealthing around is one of the coolest things about being a rogue in Warcraft, so that’s where the rogue album begins — slipping into a crowded tavern, not being seen by anyone


Back in the day, I remember having to apply poisons and sharpening stones to my daggers as a Warcraft rogue. So, I thought that would make for a nice moment on the rogue album. Continue reading “Insipid Liner Notes: Doo-Wop Rogue”

Insipid Liner Notes: Doo-Wop Ranger

The first character I got to 60 way back when Warcraft was new was my Night Elf hunter, and she’s still one of my mains now.

“Reader of Signs” sets the stage for a kind of mini doo-wop musical inspired by that character.


Back in the day, tracking things on your mini map was a special skill for hunters that not every class had. Even though that’s not true anymore, it still seems like tracking is core to the concept of being a hunter. Continue reading “Insipid Liner Notes: Doo-Wop Ranger”

Insipid Liner Notes: Purple Goes with Green

My spouse asked me to make an album for his 45th birthday. “Purple Goes with Green” is the opening and title track. Those are our favorite colors, and when we met, we’d each independently concluded the best complement to our favorite was the other.


“So Many Unicorns” is a fun, silly, cheerful song about several kinds of animals… that turn out to not be unicorns. And one that is. Continue reading “Insipid Liner Notes: Purple Goes with Green”

Partial Insipid Liner Notes: Hot Chocolate for the Unicorn

I have more than 400 lyric videos up on YouTube and have been releasing a new one daily from my album, “Hot Chocolate for the Unicorn.”

Today’s song is “Spoiler Warning”—a satirical piece about TV shows & their fandoms that turned out quite catchy.


“Sister Ghost” is a light, pretty folk rock song about finding an appropriate home for the singer’s sister ghost at a haunted hotel. At least, literally. Continue reading “Partial Insipid Liner Notes: Hot Chocolate for the Unicorn”

Insipid Liner Notes: Doo-Wop Demon Hunter

This mini-musical was inspired by all the years I’ve spent playing Diablo.

If you like the idea of cheerful, upbeat, catchy music about killing demons and skeletons as you descend toward hell, then this is definitely for you!


When you start playing Diablo, the first thing you have to do is choose…

“What class are you gonna train?
Are you gonna swing a sword?
Draw a bow?
Or call the lightning and the rain?” Continue reading “Insipid Liner Notes: Doo-Wop Demon Hunter”

Randomosity

I’ve been invited to turn my book universe into a game for Hidden Door. So, as a first step, I’m having Claude write a series bible for the Otters In Space series, and it has the loveliest things to say…

“Warm, witty, accessible … wry humor and genuine affection for all its characters — even the villains are understandable. There’s real danger and real stakes, but the tone stays fundamentally hopeful. Think: the warmth of a Pixar film with the political texture of Ursula K. Le Guin.” Continue reading “Randomosity”

Insipid Liner Notes: Paw Prints Beyond the Moon

“Paw Prints Beyond the Moon” was a really fun collection to create a soundtrack for, because it required so many different musical styles. And also, the whole book is furry, and it’s just really fun to have an entire album of furry music.


That’s right — before “Fetching Asteroids” was an addictive video game, it was a flash fiction. And then, it was one of the first doo-wop songs I managed to make. Continue reading “Insipid Liner Notes: Paw Prints Beyond the Moon”