The Bigfellas: Chubbed Up

Posted on October 6th, 2008 By Taylor Kingsbury Under: CD Reviews Tags: the bigfellas

Artist The Bigfellas
Album Chubbed Up
Released 2008

San Diego based The Bigfellas are an intellectual pop fan’s dream. Their songs are full of tongue-in-cheek satire and playful lyrics and melodies. The Bigfellas have been voted “Best Local Band In San Diego” for 2006 and 2007.

Reportedly voted “Best Local Band In San Diego” for two years running (although their bio doesn’t credit the source of that endorsement), The Bigfellas have quite a title to live up to on this self-released disc. Since they hail from the bastard stepchild of Southern California, immediate speculation of their musical worth is bound to surface, since every amazing band like Rocket From The Crypt that has emerged from the SD has been offset by a musical abomination like P.O.D.

Of course, I’m totally kidding, and the Bigfellas are too. Not about being the best musical collective in San Diego (one would assume they’re okay with this sub-moniker), but with just about everything else on their disc. The ‘Fellas specialize in quirky piano-driven Pop ala Ben Folds or the Decemberists, although without the songs about abortions and Longfellow poems.

Those looking strictly for the humor will likely gravitate toward “I Wish That I Were Gay”, or the surreal and ultimately pointless golf rap “On The Green”. Those who only live to party (SDSU students) will undoubtedly roll spliffs to “4:20” (even though I’m fairly certain the song is ultimately making fun of pot-heads). But, rest assured, those who simply enjoy good songwriting are invited too, and numbers like the quietly brilliant “Dollar For Every Dime” show that this band will probably be even stronger when they stop writing songs for the kids.

“Best Local Band In San Diego”? I’m not sure about that because, praise Allah, I don’t live in San Diego. But, I can tell you that if I caught these guys’ set at one of the many bars that line State Street, I’d likely stay for a pitcher or three. Not quite the endorsement the Bigfellas got from their unnamed admirers, I know. But, trust me, allowing these guys to be the soundtrack to my valuable drinking time is no minor praise.

- By TAYLOR KINGSBURY