posted on www.amazon.com (by the way - if you look up "beatles" on amazon, the shaggs tribute comes up in the top 4 results for upcoming beatles-related titles)........

Amazon.com
One common joke about the Shaggs is that it would be impossible to cover their songs note for missed note, each missed beat, as they embody the true definition of shambling pop. This late-'60s group, made up of three sisters (and fostered by their father, who was by some accounts a domineering Svengali), has been elevated to cult status over the years, heralded by the likes of Frank Zappa, Ira Kaplan, and John Zorn. Conventional notions of musicality aside, the Shaggs played with a childlike innocence and sort of sleepwalking confidence that--when not just silly--was captivating, enchantingly charming, and downright spiritual. Against all bets, here's a compilation from artists most qualified for the impossible task: Ida, whose members cultivate a Sergeant Pepper-era Beatles vibe on "Philosophy of the World"; avant-rocksters Thinking Fellers Union Local 242; Holland's minimalist-in-residence Joost Visser; home taper for life R. Stevie Moore; and naive wonder-Christians Danielson Famile. "My Pal Foot Foot," likely about an imaginary friend, is expertly warped even further by Deerhoof. You'll probably want to be acquainted with the Shaggs to appreciate this effort, but even if you aren't, chances are you'll seek out the originals after hearing this loving tribute.
       --Cyndi Elliott

Various Artists Better Than the Beatles: A Tribute to the Shaggs [Animal World; 2001] Rating: 6.2 Everyone from Led Zeppelin to Jandek has one, so why not the Shaggs? Why not? I imagine that must have been the response from most of the involved parties when asked to contribute to Better Than the Beatles: A Tribute to the Shaggs. Why not? I've never been a fan of tribute albums. They just seem gratuitous, and a way for bands (and labels) to gain notoriety through association-- a shortcut bypassing actual work. They're the equivalent of album filler in any CD collection, ranking just above soundtrack compilations in my book (hello, Batman Forever). But having heard of the Shaggs years ago, and actually hearing their music years later, I asked myself the same question: why not? After all, it's got an interesting line-up of off-kilter artists (Thinking Fellers, Danielson Famile, Optiganally Yours, etc.), and it's not like any of them are going to commit a sacrilegious travesty by ruining an original, or bore you to death with simple mimicry. Both would be nearly impossible.. But what kind of world do we live in where a trio of musically disinclined sisters from rural New Hampshire-- driven to practice and perform by a superstitious, and perhaps tyrannical, father who believed his mother foretold the group-- can cut an album full of what can only be called "attempted" pop songs, and thirty years later be subject of an honorary tribute? The answer: a strange and beautiful one, friends. And if that sounds naïvely optimistic, so be it. It comes from listening to the Shaggs' naïve stabs at musicianship. All the same, it's not an uncommon reaction to think a joke is being played on you when you listen to the Shaggs-- that's part of the appeal. "Who do these people think they are? What was going through their heads when they recorded this?" Trying to answer these questions is half the fun. Then there's the fact that the Shaggs seem to have single-handedly (though unwittingly) laid the groundwork for the faux-naivete of twee-pop and possibly K Records itself. And then there's the proclamation by legendary wise-ass Frank Zappa that the Shaggs were better than the Beatles, a statement so confounding of popular logic that it just adds more confusion and mystery to the mix. Although hated by many (and ignored by many more), few people argue that the Shaggs possessed no personality or spirit. The question is, did they have something else? Is there any merit to their songwriting? If so, it should shine through in the hands of able musicians, right? Well, right, but very unexpectedly, the problem here isn't with the material, it's with the "able musicians." Most of the participants choose to tip-toe around the songs, rarely cutting loose or experimenting, possibly for fear of accusations of trying to out-Shagg the Shaggs. True to tribute album custom, the Big Guns are put up front, as Ida starts the album off with "Philosophy of the World," the title track of the lone proper Shaggs album. The upbeat, ska-like rhythm of the original is traded in for what sounds like a Scottish dirge, proving Ida can sap the energy out of almost anything. Optiganally Yours is next with a slightly more interesting, but similarly drab "You're Something Special to Me." Of all the bands on this record, I had the biggest hopes for Thinking Fellers Union Local 282 and their version of "Who are Parents," but they too take the catatonic route, risking little and turning in another disappointment. Mongrel breaks up the monotony with a somber but spirited rendition of "My Cutie," finally busting out an acoustic guitar in favor of organ. Bauer's "We have a Savior" returns to the keyboard (it's as though there's a timidity toward approaching the guitarwork of front-Shagg Dot Wiggin), but the inner creepiness comes through here, as well as on Joost Visser's Will Oldham-like treatment of "It's Halloween." Deerhoof takes on the quintessential Shaggs' song, "My Pal Foot Foot." Building on bouncy sound effects, they come away with the best song on the album. R. Stevie Moore & the Olsiewics-Chusid Ensemble, followed by Plastic Mastery, cling close to the originals of "My Companion" and "Shaggs' Own Thing" respectfully, while the Slot Racers do a folky medley of "Painful Memories" and "Wheels." Next up, the Danielson Famile take their shot at "Who are Parents," and come away with hilarious results, complete with lisping baby-talk vocals which erase the album's early disappointments. Later, the Furtips' "You're Something Special to Me" recalls the Modern Lovers, and the Double U finish things off with a more playful version of the opening song. Like most tribute albums, Better than the Beatles succeeds less as a cohesive statement than as way of piquing interest in lesser known artists. But wait a minute, didn't I come out against that kind of thing near the beginning of this review? -Jason Nickey, October 4th, 2001

THE BIG TAKEOVER: Nov 2001 various artists better than the beatles: a tribute to the shaggs (Animal World) The late-Frank Zappa once claimed that The Shaggs were in fact "better than the Beatles." In his review of the band's legendary Philosophy of The World LP (1969) Lester Bangs dubbed the three Wiggins sisters (who are the Shaggs) an "anti-power trio," proclaiming the album "a landmark" recording. For years, "outsider music" aficionados have championed this enigmatic gathering of fractured melodies, atonal harmonies, disfigured tempos and forlorn lyrics as the Holy Grail of authenticity. Which it is. Which is why Philosophy's unwitting purity has to some extent redefined what is and isn't acceptable in music and has, by extension, allowed for even the most reclusive, low-budget and unskilled musician the chance to earn discovery, appreciation and, dare I say it, influence. Recently, some of the sideshow fetishism plaguing The Shaggs' cult reputation has subsided, allowing an improbable blue-chip status to emerge. With a comprehensive profile in The New Yorker, a proper Philosophy reissue on RCA-Victor and two of the sisters reunited for a live performance all within last the two years, Hollywood is now fielding options on turning their story into a motion picture. Which finally brings us to this compilation. The 13 bands on it, including Ida, R. Stevie Moore, Danielson Famile and Thinking Fellers Union, are all "real" musicians with "real" agendas about how music should sound. And judging by their contributions, each one is sensitive to that fact. Everyone brings something adoring to the table. If you're a fan, this is a tribute to that indescribable feeling you had the first time you heard The Shaggs. If not, this is a chance to discover the true depth of these unlikely American visionaries. (www.animalworldrecordings.com) ----- *Animal World Recordings* http://www.animalworldrecordings.com please note new address: 1001 Sherman St #305 Denver, CO 80203 USA

VARIOUS ARTISTS
(ANIMAL WORLD RECORDINGS) BY MARK BARTON - LOSING TODAY

The first of a planned release schedule that will see future tribute accolades going to such heavy weights of outsider pop as Captain Beefheart, Young Marble Giants and Family Fodder.
Okay it's own up time for me, I have to admit not owning either of the two albums by the Shaggs, though I do vaguely remember a friend playing a tape of the trio's debut release 'Philosophy of the World' some years back. I have tried desperately in the weeks since receiving this compilation to acquire copies of the two CD pressings of the said albums to no joy. 'Better than the Beatles' is not a statement of intent, though I bet someone somewhere is already planning perhaps even finished a Doctorate for literary discussion. The title comes from a quote attributed to Zappa in reaction to having heard the trios first mythical outing, 'Philosophy of the World'. The Shaggs story is the stuff of legends, perhaps no other artist has been so spoken in hushed awe with so little recorded output to inspect than perhaps Robert Johnson. Late 60's the Wiggin sisters, encouraged by their father set about tying a deal with a local label owner, who goes walkies with their money and all the pressings bar one box. Said box with records becomes one of the most sought after releases from the underground ever. This tribute captures the essence of the band perfectly, naive pop that is almost ridiculously immature but in many ways that's the drawing power, honest pop like never before and never since. Packed to the rafters with the kind of hamfisted efforts that on paper shouldn't work, that are thrown in the air and miraculously reassemble neatly into a curious blend that recalls a melodic version of Tony Hancock's 'infantile school of art' in the film 'The Rebel'.
To the sounds within then. Thirteen bands assembled with the arduous task of making sense of the nonsensical. Perhaps the two key highlights are the contributions of Plastic Mastery and the Furtips. Plastic Mastery loosen up. 'Shaggs own thing' is totally reclaimed as their own, crossing between 50's style at the hop chorus' with a vague whiff of their brand of wired goofiness and distantly recalling the Boxtops. The Furtips on the other hand tangle with 'You're something special to me' and take it to teenage summer fuelled extremes, particularly fetching half way through when it all starts loosing the plot.
Elsewhere, the magnificent Optiganally Yours whose last album was surely one of the ten albums that every cool record collection should own, get to grips with their interpretation of 'You're something special to me'. Lets just say if you are looking for a more upbeat but spiritually kindred spirits of Black Heart Procession, then search no further. Perhaps of all the bands featured here, The Shaggs sense of awkward melodies best suit Optiganally Yours as they smoothly reorganise the blueprint for their own. Mongrell give good account with 'My Cutie' sounding more in common with Shonen Knife with their childlike outlook. Bauer introduce harpsichords, their baroque stylings add a degree of dimension to their version of 'We have a saviour', a crystal clear continental sound is weaved to grand effect recalling groups such as Remington Super 60. Joost Visser provides an inspired insight on his cover of 'It's Halloween' that draws a parallel between The Shaggs and the underrated talents of Daniel Johnston no less. As tributes go 'Better than the Beatles' is an essential starting point to tracking the work of the Shaggs, which less face it is a job in itself.
Personal I don't go with tributes persay, but not since the Troggs covers album a few years ago have I had so much fun and such pleasure with an album. This is a testament not only to the Shaggs themselves but to all the bands who have had the nerve to recreate and re-evaluate one of America's true treasured secrets. Now back to hunting for those albums...
***


VARIOUS ARTISTS
"Better Than the Beatles: A Tribute to the Shaggs" (Animal World Recordings) ***1/2

In case you'd given up hope of ever hearing a tribute album that made any sense, here's one that actually functions nicely as a beginner's introduction to the Shaggs, who put out an album at the end of the sixties that was both worshipped as a masterpiece and reviled as one of the worst ever. Fortunately, little effort is spent on imitating the twisted logic of the Shaggs' rhythm section (R. Stevie Moore -pretty much the biggest name on here -is one of the few who makes a foolhardy attempt.) The best tracks cast the songs in a whole new light, as in the bouncy pop of Bauer, the rowdy Real Kids garage rock of Furtips, and especially Ida's spare, gorgeous opener, "Philosophy of the World", which gently and accurately reveals the bare bones of a haunting, other-worldly melody.
- Chandler Travis, The Boston Herald
***


Various Artists
Better than the Beatles: a Tribute to the Shaggs Animal World Recordings

Did the Shaggs know what they were doing?  No.  Does it matter?  Not really.  Critics raved about them.  Irwin Chusid called them the "godmothers of outsider music."  Frank Zappa, with hyperbole up to eleven, described them as "Better than the Beatles" (hence, the title of this tribute).  And even though it's been over thirty years since the Wiggins sisters (Dot, Helen, and Betty) recorded their magnum opus, "Philosophy of the World," their legacy is stronger than ever.  Today they stand alongside Captain Beefheart, Os Mutantes, Destroy All Monsters, and the Residents in the inderatis' sacred obscuro pantheon.  Upon first listen, the uninitiated will hears only three unmusicians playing seemingly different songs simultaneously.  But scratch the surface of the Shaggs' primitive, childlike tunes and there's idiot savant gold in them songs.
Time for a tribute?  Animal World Recordings thinks so.  Interestingly enough, there could hardly be a more worthy group to pay homage to.  Since the Shaggs' songs were so extremely weird and incredibly out of time and place, cover artists have much room to play with the originals.  Some of the tracks on "Better than the Beatles" sound surprisingly unlike the songs being covered.  Yet, herein lies the beauty of this disc.  For example, both Thinking Fellars Union Local 242 and Danielson Famile cover "Who Are Parents."  Neither sounds like the Shaggs' version.  Both are, nonetheless, marvelous.  Thinking Fellars' adaptation evokes a morphine drenched hymn, as scary as it is bizarre.  Danileson Famile's rendition is cozy and twee, somewhat like the Shaggs'.  Still, the Danielson kids sound like virtuosos when compared to the Shaggs.  Because the Shaggs were so wrong that they were right, it's hard to imagine how a Shaggs cover could run amok. (Perhaps it would be too well produced or arranged.  Conversely, an artist might rightly feel some real fear and trembling over being included on a Beatles, Kinks, or Zombees tribute album.  Because these bands executed their songs with such precision, it might be asked what could be gained from cover versions?)
Is it possible to improve on the Shaggs?  Maybe it's heresy to say this, but, Yes.  Bauer's version of "We have a Savior" is far better than the original!  It's actually fun to listen to.  Something you want to hear over and over again.  It wonderfully employs the Association and the Left Banke to sweeten up the Shaggs's original.  Other great renditions on "Better than the Beatles" include Optiganally Your's dingy, lo-fi "You're Something Special to Me," impressively true-to-form cuts from Mongrell, "My Cutie," R. Stevie Moore, "My Companion," and The Double U, "Philosphy of the World."  Also noteworthy are Plastic Mastery's Jonathan Richman-esque "Shaggs' Own Thing" and the Furtip's classic indie reading of "You're Something Special to Me."  None of the songs feel out of place.  This is truly a  brilliant tribute album.

-Randall J. Stephens (this review will appear in both Tidal Wave and Ink19)
***


Better Than The Beatles: A Tribute To The Shaggs Animal World Records by Jack Cole
"I get a lot of letters. Most of them are nice. I got one awhile ago, it was insulting, or asking if we were trying to insult them. I guess they didn't like the music, or didn't think it was music. I just threw it away. I figured everybody has their opinion. If they don't like it, they don't have to buy it." Dot Wiggins, as told to John DeAngelis, New Rhythm & Blues News #19, October 1984.
Once upon a time in Fremont, New Hampshire the mother of Austin Wiggins, Jr. had a vision that his daughters would form a band. To fulfill his mother's prophecy, Austin Wiggins, Jr. bought his daughters instruments and paid for music lessons. He would be there manager and produce the albums, Dot Wiggins, the oldest daughter, writing all of the songs. Though the townsfolk may have laughed at what the Shaggs played, nonetheless, the family band create of the most unique and powerful musical visions ever. Still, outside of Fremont they went virtually unknown, completely out of sync with the mainstream they wanted to be part of with their group. In 1969 they recorded The Philosophy of the World, pressed by the shady Third World, which ended up only sending them one box of records, stiffing them on the rest. Soldiering on, they continued until Austin Wiggins, Jr passed out of this world in 1975. Though the Shaggs may have quit, the sisters becoming good citizens of Fremont, raising families and working, the album itself took on a life of its own. Praises were poised by the likes of Terry Adams (NRBQ), who reissued the record in 1980, Frank Zappa, and Irwin Chusid, a man who has built his career on outsider music. The Shaggs' legacy became greater than anyone could imagine -- especially for the Wiggins sisters. Their songs careen in their innocence, uneven strumming, and lyrical tributes to Foot Foot and the importance of parents. Covering a Shaggs song would be a difficult proposition in deed, capturing the spirit and sound difficult. Deceptively simple, Shaggs compositions have their own internal logic, quirky structures of guitar and drums. The act of attempting a Shaggs cover brings to mind when Tom Hazelmeyer of the record label Amphetamine Reptile attempted to play with Cows. Prior to that experience, Hazelmyer had thought that Cows songs would be a piece of cake to play -- that is until he attempted to play with the band and discovered that the surface belied the convoluted contents. The Shaggs are the same way -- deceptively primitive, but actually intricate.
And now Animal World Records has released a tribute to the Shaggs, 13 bands attempting to do the the Shaggs' "own thing". I understand if you hesitate. Tribute records, in general, are cesspools -- ragged patchwork quilts of the good, mediocre and bad. Who wants to listen to terrible bands destroy good songs? Who wants to listen to boring covers that attempt to recreate a song note by note instead of building something new that is more faithful to the original spirit? I can probably count on one hand the number of good tribute records I've heard. To that tally, I would definitely add Better Than The Beatles, which succeeds more often than it fails. Almost every band choses to cover songs from the Shaggs' Philosophy Of The World, with the exception of a few who dig into The Shaggs' Own Thing, a collection of material that came out on Rooster in 1982 composed of songs they recorded between 1969 and 1975 before ending the band.
Let's first briefly run through the known bands on the tribute, saving the wild cards for later. Ida opens up the tribute with a pretty stiff version of "Philosophy Of The World." The song's life is completely drained from it by their rigid vocals and tiresome "college rock" instrumentation. Fortunately, the tribute perks write up with Optiganally Yours' take on "You're Something Special To Me." Pea Hix and Rob Crow tear into the song with gusto, adapting it to fit into their airy optigan style. Rob Crow injects passion and wistfulness, making for a fine cover. The tribute just gets better with TFUL 282's "Who Are Parents." They follow the Shaggs' lead, transforming the song into something almost sacred with its angelic background vocals on top TFUL 282's skewed playing. They almost convinced me that parent's aren't so bad after all. A few songs later, Joost Visser appears out of the void he has disappeared to, tackling "It's Halloween." Visser clocks in with a nicely done spare rendition consisting of himself and his guitar recorded very lo-fi. His version, unlike the Shaggs', is a bittersweet nostalgia for a holiday he can no longer participate in with the loss of his youth. Visser is followed by Deerhoof, a band that always strikes my fancy. Deerhoof choses to cover the classic Shaggs song, "My Pal Foot Foot," tearing it apart and rebuilding it sloppily in a elliptical series of distorted melodic chunks. R. Stevie Moore, the eccentric NJ resident and the only person contributing who ever actually saw the Shaggs play live before 1975, on "My Companion" is the only musician who is able to precisely capture the Shaggs sound to which he adds his voice processed to a high pitch. His Shaggs interpretation comes off as a novelty song, but then again, what R. Stevie Moore song doesn't doesn't sound like a novelty? Next for the known groups, the Danielson Famile provides a sweet version of "Who Are Parents", which contrasts nicely with the TFUL 282 stab at the song. The Danielson Famile approach is to turn the song into a sweet children's song marked by cheap keyboards and guitar. Whereas TFUL 282 probably don't buy into the song's message, the Famile buys the whole hog as is to be expected with their Christian perspective. After the Famile, Furtips leap in with a wobbly and lax, fuzzed out "You're Something Special To Me", another nice contrast when put aside Optigonally Yours' recreation. Appropriately, the tribute ends with the Double U's vision of "Philosophy Of The World," sweet singing ably supported by even sweeter melodies slipping their way out of keyboards and guitars.
Now that the household names are out of the way, let's take a peak at the fledgling stars of the underground who appear on Better Than The Beatles. None of the newcomers will annoy you and all of them seem to be handle the Shaggs. If most of them suffer from any problem, its probably not having a unique sound yet to call their own, the arrangements straight from the indie rock playbook. Mongrell has a nice strum, folk vibe in their rendition of "My Cutie." the song as adorable as a frisky pup. Bauer transforms "We Have a Savior" into harmonies between the boy and girl in the group supported by a bright sixties foundation what with its organ and shiny guitar parts. Slot Racer is probably the most prosaic of the batch, their twofer, "Painful Memories"/"Wheels", undynamic with its low in the mix hushed male vocals. Their cover is mediocre at best. The best of the newcomers, I think, is the Plastic Mastery, who dive into "Shaggs' Own Thing" with gusto. This Tallahassee, FL band oozes with potential as they swagger through the rough-around-the-edges pop licks, prancing about territory usually reserved for Antipodeans like the Cannanes, Crabstick and Huon. They completely capture the essence of the song, the Shaggs' own thing becoming their own.
I heartily recommend Better Than The Beatles: A Tribute To The Shaggs. Not only is a fine band given the respect it deserves, but the majority of the bands conjure up fine takes of the Shagg's compositions. Moreover, the compilation turns a negative (multiple covers of the same songs) into an asset. I was fascinated by how different bands approached the same songs, warping them to their own whims. No finer compliment can be paid to either the Shaggs -- or to Animal World Records, for that matter, who have put together a rare item -- a good tribute.