Milk and Scissors explained

Milk And Scissors
Type:	Album
Artist:	the Handsome Family
Cover:	Artist THE HANDSOME FAMILY album MILK AND SCISSORS.jpg
Released:	May 14, 1996
Recorded:	Kingsize Sound Laboratories, Chicago, Illinois
Length:	40:35
Label:	Carrot Top
Producer:	Dave Trumfio, The Handsome Family
Prev Title:	Odessa
Prev Year:	1994
Next Title:	Invisible Hands
Next Year:	1997

Milk and Scissors is the second album by the American band the Handsome Family.^{[1] [2]} It was released on May 14, 1996 by Carrot Top Records, and by Scout Releases in the same year.

Production

The production of the album was interrupted by Brett's brief stay in a mental hospital.^[3]

Critical reception

The Chicago Tribune called Milk and Scissors "one of the finest albums of 1996."^[4] The Chicago Reader called it "wonderfully depressing."^[5]

Track listing

All music by Brett Sparks and all lyrics by Rennie Sparks, except as noted

1. "Lake Geneva" – 3:11
2. "Winnebago Skeletons" – 4:13
3. "Drunk By Noon" – 2:51
4. "The House Carpenter" (traditional, arranged by The Handsome Family, inspired by Clarence Ashley's 1930 recording) – 3:36
5. "The Dutch Boy" – 3:51
6. "The King Who Wouldn't Smile" – 2:35
7. "Emily Shore 1819-1839" – 4:34
8. "3-Legged Dog" (Darrell Sparks)– 4:34
9. "#1 Country Song" (Brett Sparks) – 3:35
10. "Amelia Earhart vs. The Dancing Bear" - 3:13
11. "Tin Foil" - 2:41
12. "Puddin' Fingers" (Mike Werner) - 1:41

Personnel

• The Handsome Family:
  • Brett Sparks - guitar, vocals, dobro, organ, harmonica, lap steel
  • Rennie Sparks - bass, vocals
  • Mike Werner - percussion
• Diane Murphy - band photo
• Brad Miller - cover photo
• Design by Rennie & Mike with Sheila Sachs^[6]

External links

• The Handsome Family official website

Notes and References

1. Web site: Handsome Family . Trouser Press . 11 October 2020.
2. Web site: The Handsome Family | Biography & History. AllMusic.
3. Web site: Handsome Family - Tragic songs of life - Page 3 of 4. November 1, 2003. No Depression.
4. Web site: FAMILY FEELINGS. Greg. Kot. chicagotribune.com.
5. Web site: Handsome Family. Sarah. Vowell. Chicago Reader.
6. cf. Brett & Rennie Sparks (1996): Credits. In Milk And Scissors [CD booklet]. Chicago: Carrot Top Records.