Battershell - Sunshine In Popopia (1998 Ng Records)

By Jeanne Kalosieh

Sounds like an offshoot of Veruca Salt, but the snarled-toothed seether is absent.  Battershell is swishy alterna-pop - the kind that gets stuck in your head while in a nameless supermarket, pondering what brand of cat food to bring home for Fluffy.  Even the title hints at too much cuteness.  For those who need to know, Popopia is some kind of J.R.R. Tolkien meets Hello Kitty “non-mundania world of fantasy and frolic.”  Geographic landmarks include “Painted Pony Willows” and “Roaring Roo Falls.”  Okie dokey.

If you’re looking for something light-hearted and produced in the heart of Candy Land, Battershell is suitable.  Maybe there are some listeners out there that speak Battershell’s language.  Sample some lyrics from “Shower Song” - “Everything is so good for a while.  Everyday is freaky fly a kite for.  To me it’s just a treat to take a shower.  Uh-huh, uh-huh meow meow.  Fly my kite!”  Whew.  It’s probably safer to keep Popopia off your musical itinerary.