Buying a CD? How 'bout "Christine Balfa Plays the Triangle"?

No...I'm not kidding. I listen to NPR a lot. And I've heard a lot of odd-ball stories - but not on NPR. This is a cake-topper. "For those who think all Cajun music sounds exactly the same, a new CD tries to dispel that pervasive and dangerous myth...a whopping 55 minutes of unadulterated solo triangle."

Those are NPR's words - not mine. Christine Balfa is the leader of the Cajun band, Balfa Toujours - and she's the daughter of legendary Cajun fiddler, Dewey Balfa. She sings and plays guitar with the band, but on this solo album, it's pure triangle. "Pure", baby.

Producer Chas Justus explains, "Melodic or harmonic content just gets in the way of, you know, what the triangle can really...The nuances that can really be brought out...You'll notice the nuances and the differences."

Now I dare you - no...I challenge you to go the story on NPR. There's an interview with Justus and the interviewer mentions two songs from the album, saying non-triangle aficionados might say both tunes sound alike. Or you can listen to two other songs from the album - "Cheres Joues Roses" and "The Balfa Waltz" - listed there in the story. Listen - and learn.

Justus pontificates. "There's a lot of people who think it sounds the same...to some ears it does sound the same, but when you really go through it and get into the music and feel it and love it, you'll notice the nuances."

Above: "PLAY THE MOFO TRIANGLE, white boy!"

Really, Chas? "Nuances" of the triangle? Part of me is saying this story is a joke. That the interviewer can't be serious. But that's not NPR's m.o. I shit you not - in both sets of songs - do they NOT sound exactly the same? Now perhaps I'm just a dumb ass. Perhaps I'm tone deaf and didn't know it. Could it be..no. I'm definitely not an anti-triangle-ite, am I? I have not one issue with the triangle as a musical instrument in combination with other instruments. Matter-of-fact, I'm sure Brian Wilson has used a triangle in a number of his songs. But the triangle as a solo instrument? Na-uh. Don't take my word for it. Listen yourself.

"No overdubs," as Justus states. "Lightning in a bottle." Really, Chas? (Didn't I just say that?) Well, I just purchased Taylor Mills' latest album "Lullagoodbye". And there's not a one triangle to be heard. I'll stick with Taylor.