Milk and Scissors is the second album by the American band the Handsome Family.[4][5] It was released on May 14, 1996 by Carrot Top Records, and by Scout Releases in the same year.
| Milk And Scissors | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | May 14, 1996 | |||
| Recorded | Kingsize Sound Laboratories, Chicago, Illinois | |||
| Length | 40:35 | |||
| Label | Carrot Top | |||
| Producer | Dave Trumfio, The Handsome Family | |||
| The Handsome Family chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [1] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [2] |
| Tom Hull – on the Web | B+ ( )[3] |
Production
editThe production of the album was interrupted by Brett's brief stay in a mental hospital.[6]
Critical reception
editThe Chicago Tribune called Milk and Scissors "one of the finest albums of 1996."[7] The Chicago Reader called it "wonderfully depressing."[8]
Track listing
editAll music by Brett Sparks and all lyrics by Rennie Sparks, except as noted
- "Lake Geneva" – 3:11
- "Winnebago Skeletons" – 4:13
- "Drunk By Noon" – 2:51
- "The House Carpenter" (traditional, arranged by The Handsome Family, inspired by Clarence Ashley's 1930 recording) – 3:36
- "The Dutch Boy" – 3:51
- "The King Who Wouldn't Smile" – 2:35
- "Emily Shore 1819-1839" – 4:34
- "3-Legged Dog" (Darrell Sparks)– 4:34
- "#1 Country Song" (Brett Sparks) – 3:35
- "Amelia Earhart vs. The Dancing Bear" - 3:13
- "Tin Foil" - 2:41
- "Puddin' Fingers" (Mike Werner) - 1:41
Personnel
edit- The Handsome Family:
- Brett Sparks - guitar, vocals, dobro, organ, harmonica, lap steel
- Rennie Sparks - bass, vocals
- Mike Werner - percussion
- Diane Murphy - band photo
- Brad Miller - cover photo
- Design by Rennie & Mike with Sheila Sachs[9]
References
edit- ^ "Milk and Scissors - The Handsome Family | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (May 27, 2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. ISBN 9780857125958 – via Google Books.
- ^ Hull, Tom (May 10, 2021). "Music Week". Tom Hull – on the Web. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
- ^ "Handsome Family". Trouser Press. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
- ^ "The Handsome Family | Biography & History". AllMusic.
- ^ "Handsome Family - Tragic songs of life - Page 3 of 4". No Depression. November 1, 2003.
- ^ Kot, Greg. "FAMILY FEELINGS". chicagotribune.com.
- ^ Vowell, Sarah. "Handsome Family". Chicago Reader.
- ^ cf. Brett & Rennie Sparks (1996): Credits. In Milk And Scissors [CD booklet]. Chicago: Carrot Top Records.