Geekscape Music Review: Kate Micucci’s EP Phone Home

I’m sure it wasn’t Kate Micucci’s intention to punch me in the gut, but it happened. Micucci is half of the folk comedy duo Garfunkel & Oates. She’s been in numerous movie and television projects including Scrubs and the Kristen Bell vehicle When in Rome. If you’re unfamiliar with Micucci’s solo music endeavor’s she has the ability to write whimsical and sweet music that brings a smile to your face. Here’s the video for “Dear Deer”. I dare you not to grin at it’s cuteness.

Kate’s most recent solo project, EP Phone Home, continues her tradition of whimsy, but exposes a very earnest and heart warming voice. Passing on the comedy that makes Garfunkel and Oates so wonderful, EP is 5 songs designed to make you run the entire gamut of emotions. Which brings us back to the metaphorical punch in the Gut Ms. Micucci gave me.

I’m pretty sure I listened to these songs out of order now that I double checked the track listing on Amazon, but after a lovely first track called “Soup in the Woods”, I was prepared for a light and fun five track EP. Kate had other plans. The most moving song I’ve heard in a long time comes in the sound of “Taking Chances”. If there was ever a song that contained so much hope, regret, fondness, and honesty I have yet to hear it. Musically it’s not overly complicated, a simple melody with a lovely message and Kate’s no nonsense vocal styling, but something comes together in this song and it leaves you pretty raw. Like an old friend passing on sage advice the song makes you feel like you’re hearing from someone wiser than yourself, that has all the hope in the world for you. “Taking Chances” is the highlight of a very rich EP.

“Song for the Late Night People” comes on next and offers more hope and whimsy. Hope and whimsy is a recurring theme in Kate’s EP Phone Home. Kate even includes a wonderful ode to her dog called “For My Dog Jack”. It’s cute and every dog owner should hear it at some point. Then come the grins. The Happy Song is the most complicated track on the disc, but it’s also the shortest. An orchestra of sorts backs up Kate as she runs through a quick ditty about how great it feels to be in love.

Wrapping up the listening experience is I Have a Crush on My Teacher. After hearing it I re-listened to Ke$ha’s Mr. Watson. While Ke$ha made a song that sounds like she wants to sexually assault her teacher, Kate has written a more subtle and innocent tune. Closer in spirit to “Born to Late” by the Poni-Tails in 1958 than anything current, the song doesn’t make you feel gross for enjoying it. You hear that Ke$ha? Gross.

Between her sweet music and expressive art, Micucci amazing right brain is both impressive and endearing. Micucci’s music is heartfelt and fun. While it’s only five songs EP Phone Home is full of life, emotion and energy, and ultimately dissappointment that it isn’t longer. I highly recommend picking it up. Kate Micucci: EP Phone Home on Amazon