Album Review: The Prose and Cons

There’s a common misconception within the world of children’s media that, because of the unrefined artistic palette of the audience that there is an inherent easiness to the creation of content. and while the world of children stories has been inundated with uninspired AI created slop the realm of children’s music is also plagued with the same low effort poorly constructed base level attempts at an easy cash grab. but after listening to their latest album and looking into the performance history of Captain Festus McBoyle, I can safely say without an ounce of hesitancy that this group is one of the best things to happen to children’s entertainment in decades.

Where so many assume that a few simple ukulele chords, and content that delves no deeper than a cat who likes pudding, Captain Festus McBoyle not only displays a high-level of music excellence, creative songwriting, and themes that pearl clutching parents may consider too dark for children, this band has created something that not only entertains, but also inspires and exposes children to the limitless possibilities of artistic creativity.

Their new album The Prose and Cons spent two years in development and the effort put into it is evident in every aspect of its final production. What I love most is that they don’t treat children like unsophisticated dullards, even the name of the album itself is a very clever play on words and while a five year-old may not understand the linguistic humour inherent in the title, it provides a platform for them to learn and grow, and can even bring a smile to the face of the parents that will inevitably be listening to the music themselves. While the likes of Baby Shark has driven many a parent into a downward existential spiral that causes them to question their very decision to procreate, Captain Festus provides entertainment that not only enriches a child’s development, but is also fun and enjoyable for the adults in the room.

The album itself consists of a mixture of spoken word poetry embellished with background sounds that add texture and environment to the themes, as well as studio recorded songs and live performances which make the listener feel as though they’re there with the artists, filling out the imaginative world they are creating.

As someone who has spent the last two decades teaching art and music to primary and preschool age to children I’m well aware that the cheesy fluffy and cloyingly happy nature often associated with children’s music is far from what they actually want to listen to, children love the gross, the weird and the unexpected and this album has all three in spades.

Musically, the calibre of the performances is above anything I can think of in recent memory, high-level skilfully performed guitar with fun, exciting, catchy rhythms and lyrics, even somewhat obscure dark psychedelic tones are incorporated in the music menagerie developed by Captain Festus and his companions.

I had so much fun listening to this album that there are songs I have incorporated into my regular playlist, but it’s not just the songs I have a deep respect for, the characters feel like fully fleshed out identities, not just one dimensional caricatures or tired cliches. Listening to the music makes you want to see these characters in real life, and hear more about the mad and silly world in which they live. There is so much fun in what they are doing, it’s almost impossible not to want to know more about them and see this group in real life.

Music is subjective and recommendations flow from the personal taste of the one giving them, but in the case of Captain Festus McBoyle, I feel like what they have created transcends that of personal taste. If you’re reading this and you have children, there is no other group I can recommend more highly, the sincerity, effort and execution of what has been created here is a true gift to our youth and I have no doubt that this endeavour will inspire future musicians, performers and perhaps maybe even a few pirates.