Funny Money by Eytan Mirsky

6th album from the man best known for the songs he contributed to the indie films "Happiness," "American Splendor" and "The Tao of Steve.


John Borack writes in "Goldmine" magazine:

Mirsky’s sixth full-length record is most definitely his finest; it’s stuffed with a dozen tunes that showcase the NY-based singer/songwriter’s sharp lyrical observations and way with a winning melody. Aided by multi-instrumentalist/producer Jon Gordon, Mirsky often heads into some relatively uncharted (for him) territory on Funny Money. For example, there are a few uncharacteristically Rolling Stones-like moments on “I’m Gonna Fight It,” which features some cool “Brown Sugar”-like guitar riffing, and “I Saw Something in You,” which also makes good use of some vocal harmonies (Mirsky’s own) on the chorus. Then there’s probably the most tender number Mirsky has ever penned, the absolutely wonderful “Watching Dawson’s Creek.” Over a gently fingerpicked acoustic guitar backdrop, Mirsky nostalgically paints a sweet aural portrait of bonding over the Katie Holmes TV show with a lost love. Terrific bridge on this one, too.

Elsewhere, the soulful, catchy kiss-off “You Gave Me Sugar” is ever-so-slightly reminiscent in spots of that one Maroon 5 song (except it doesn’t suck) while “My Dog Likes Your Dog” is a hilarious, early ‘60s-influenced ditty—with an accordion solo!—that finds the protagonist using his pooch as a means to pick up a girl, using ultra-smooth lines such as “You bring some bits and kibbles, I’ll bring some wine.” (The punch line? He bought the dog just to get the girl.)

Other tunes touch on girl group-styled melodies (“It’s a Jungle Out There”, which Ronnie Spector should cover), ‘60s garage (“Good Hair Day”), a bit of pretty-sounding moodiness (“Plusses and Minuses” ) and Mirsky’s patented power pop stylings, with his lead vocals often recalling the Smithereens’ Pat DiNizio. It’s no joke: Funny Money is one of the best records I’ve heard so far this year. Grade: A

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"Easily the most enjoyable LP I’ve heard so far in 2016. It ain’t close." - Powerpopnews.com

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Alan Haber of Pure Pop Radio says:

"Eytan Mirsky | Funny Money We’re only about a month and a half into 2016 and already we’ve reviewed and added tracks from two truly outstanding albums: Terry Draper’s Searching and Emitt Rhodes’ Rainbow Ends. We now add another platter to this list of top-notch long players: Eytan Mirsky’s fantastic Funny Money.

Eytan has written a dozen pop classics, all driven by his strong, emotive vocals and a high grade of musicanship, most of it performed by Jon Gordon. We were blown away by everything on offer here, from the rocking title song, a frank look at a partner who isn’t what she appears to be (“Your love is nothing but a game of let’s pretend/What good is money I can’t save and I can’t spend?”) to “Watching ‘Dawson’s Creek,'” the tender examination of a lost union still bound by the love of an old TV show (“And now I’m watching ‘Dawson’s Creek’ and thinking of you/Oh, I hope that Katie Holmes is happy now/And I hope that you are too”).

Funny Money scores on every level, providing a fun listen from first song to last. And a laugh, even as Eytan makes a good point about positivity in one’s life, as in this album’s final number, “Good Hair Day”: “Good hair days, they don’t come often/You gotta make ’em work for you/You gotta get down to it and do everything/That you always wanted to do.” Which Eytan has done on this fantastic album, another of the best of this young year.

We’re playing every track in rotation, from those mentioned above to “I’m Gonna Fight It,” “My Dog Likes Your Dog,” “You Got It Made,” “I Saw Something in You,” “It’s a Jungle Out There,” “You Gave Me Sugar,” and “I Don’t Wanna Fall.” Awesome through and through."

New York City-based singer/songwriter best known for the songs he contributed to the indie films "Happiness," "American Splendor" and "The Tao of Steve"

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