When I first opened the package and pulled out my complimentary copy of Spencer the Gardener‘s new CD “Organic Gangster,” I was under the distinct impression that it was someone’s idea of a joke. As track one started to happily sing the warnings of genetically modified food, I was almost sure of it. My sixteen-year-old nephew, my wife, and I listened to each of the tracks, and though we often laughed uproariously, I couldn’t help but notice that my foot was tapping.

In the style of groups like They Might Be Giants and the B-52′s, this “California sun-kissed, Latin-tinged, genre-bending big band surf mariachi indie pop affair” has released their fifth CD, an ode to vegetables, organic farming, and healthy eating. Odd as it may sound, these guys are no flash in the pan. The fact that all three of us couldn’t stop singing “Mountain Chicken Frog” and even knew all of the words after only one listen is a testament as to why. Though they’ve been playing together off and on for twenty years, the boys of Spencer the Gardener became an Internet sensation with the release of their video for “The Gobble Song.”

While my nephew will never admit it because they are too far removed from Guns n Roses, and my wife will never admit it because she’s way too cool, I have to admit that musically, these guys are pretty tight. I don’t think I’ll ever love vegetables enough to fully appreciate the album, and I probably won’t add it into my regular music rotation, but the songs are nothing short of infectious. Listen to them once and they are with you for life. Seriously, how can you forget songs like “Worm Girl” and “Applebobbin’?”

If you’re a vegetarian, or if you know a vegetarian, you might just have a new favorite album in this one. It’s a lot of fun, very silly, but positively buoyant listening. It’s almost impossible to listen to and not smile, if not laugh out loud. Though it’s classified as a children’s album, any adult with an affinity for food will get a real kick out of it.

Here’s how to get your very own copy:

To be eligible you must be a Modern Hippie Mag subscriber receiving our updates via email or RSS, Facebook fan, and/or Twitter follower (tell us your Twitter name in your comment below).

Giveaway requirements:

1. Use the tweetmeme button above to retweet this giveaway.
2. Tell us your favorite vegetable in a comment below.

More details:

• Open to U.S. entrants only.
• Recipients chosen at random using random.org.
• Won something in the last thirty days?  Last month’s winners are ineligible for this giveaway.
• Giveaway ends 12 midnight on Tuesday, Dec. 22^th, 2009.  Winner will be announced on Wednesday, Dec. 23rd 2009.

Steve McAllister

Steve McAllister is an acclaimed author, filmmaker, actor, and musician. In addition to contributing to Modern Hippie Mag, he also writes InkenSoul, a blog focused on literature and information that promotes commerce, charity, creativity, spirituality, and environmental sustainability. Purchase his most recent novel, The McAllister Code as an e-book at www.themcallistercode.com. Find Steve on Twitter, @InkenSoul. Read his reviews and articles here.

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