Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, it's Carnival time again. Jimmy
Buffett has released a new album. The prince of the palm trees, and bard of the breezes, has composed the score for a musical based upon Herman Wouk's novel, "Don't Stop the Carnival." This album is the soundtrack from that musical.

The musical itself tells the story of Broadway press agent, Norman
Paperman, who, after a heart attack, decides to cash in and move to the tropics to make a new beginning in paradise. As is expected, things don't work out exactly as planned for the hero. The songs on the album tell his story, from his initial disillusionment with his public relations job, to the drawbacks he finds that result from an "escape" to paradise.

Jimmy Buffett, though a talented songwriter and musician, is first and
foremost a storyteller, and with this project, he gets to spend an entire
album spinning the tale of someone who seeks to live the lifestyle that he
himself has spent years enjoying. As can be expected, the album is chock full of Caribbean rhythyms, tropical drinks, and all the fun and sun that has become the trademark of Buffett music.

The album opens with "The Legend of Norman Paperman," a fun calypso number, which introduces the listener to the island itself, and also some of the main characters from the musical. The next song, "Public Relations," tells of Norman's career, and shows his thought processes as he begins his move. It is a clever, amusing dissection of the public relations business and features such lines as: "It's only public relations. Who's screwing who?"

The album winds through a total of seventeen songs as it recounts the
tropical existence of Norman Paperman. There are tracks like "Island Fever," which represent some of Buffett's strongest work in ages, and stands poised to become one of the mainstays in the Buffett live repertoire, alongside such classics as "Son of a Son of a Sailor" and "Come Monday."

There are very experimental songs, such as the percussion-heavy rap duet "Kinja Rules," and the tango stylings of "I'm Just An Old Truth-Teller," the story of an evil corporate raider that tangles with Norman on the island. There are also a couple of heart-wrenching gems. The first is sung by the character Iris Tramm, a blonde-haired vixen on the island that vies for Norman's affections. It's called "Sheila Says," and in it, she speaks of her frustration with men and says "That's why I live with my dog."

The second, and probably most moving song on the album, is sung by the
character of Henny, Norman's wife. Called "The Key to My Man," Henny realizes that Norman's hopes of escaping to paradise will probably come to nothing, but she still wishes to stand by him in his decision. As
she says: "My husband's chasing windmills and I'm still the nervous wife." This song features little musical accompaniment except for the harmonica playing of Greg "Fingers" Taylor, a long-time member of the "Coral Reefer Band."

The album as a whole is entertaining and satisfying. Let's face it. The
music is fun. That is what you expect from a Jimmy Buffett album, and he
doesn't disappoint in that respect. However, it is different from the typical
Buffett album. It is the soundtrack to a musical, so even more than the usual Buffett album, this is a themed album.

Norman Paperman (a.k.a. Jimmy Buffett in this case) is the main character, but the musical also features other characters, which means that Buffett is not the only singer on the album. I must say I was especially impressed with the vocals of Kathy Burdick, who portrayed Henny Paperman. I loved her rendition of the aforementioned "The Key to My Man," and she outshines everyone else in the duet that evolves into a trio, "A Thousand Steps to Nowhere."

This is an unusual Buffett album to say the least. However, it is also a
very rewarding and entertaining listen. Kinja may not be the island of
"Margaritaville," but it's still a blast to visit, and this album will leave
both long-time Buffett fans, and those who are new to his music, wishing
that the Carnival won't stop for a long, long time. I say definitely check
this out.