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Downtown Shangri-La (1999) / Not Lame Recordings Review
BLUE CARTOON - Downtown Shangrila - BC's self titled debut is one of Not Lame's DIY best seller since it's 1997 release. The followup, simply, is even better. You name it, it's all be improved (not that a lot needed it, either): song quality and arrangements, singing, production and band commitment to what it does. And what it does is display a ringing assualt of open chorded and harmoniously layered pure pop. Haunting 12 string grounding are smart, smooth and jangle proudly with no concern with doing anything except giving their listeners pleasure. Like Not Lame is a label for pop fans, Blue Cartoon releases CD's for pop fans. Think Smithereens, Bill Lloyd, a more rootsy Gin Blossoms. - NLR

Blue Cartoon (1998) / Not Lame Recordings Review
Blue Cartoon - Blue Cartoon - Produced by 20/20 man Ron Flynt, this band also appears on the Criminally Unsigned compilation featured on this web site! Blue Cartoon play sweet, 12-stringed pop that chimes and radiates a sunny afternoon feeling into your head. Breezing along with quiet grace and a battery of hooks and gorgeous vocals, the band will please across the board for most pop fans. Heartfelt and expressively pure through and through, this is utterly enjoyable power pop that shows eminently good taste by covering bill Lloyd's "Trampoline" in the midst of the 14 lovable songs. And good as this is, it gets better with each successive listen. - NLR

David Bash for Amplifier Magazine
If the words 'elegant,' 'mature' and 'graceful could be applied to any pop band, that band would be Blue Cartoon. This wonderful four-piece combo from Austin, Texas will take you on a 15-song journey with their self-titled debut that eloquently presents the roots rock idiom in combination with a warm and engaging melodic style... not to mention John McElhenney's friendly voice is one that is impossible to tire of. If the gods of AAA or college radio are listening this, please make sure Blue Cartoon gets plenty of airplay. Both the band and the album deserve their due.

Popsided Review
It's a damn fine patchwork quilt of pop 'n' like roots rock, with many, many tempting melodies to choose from. The Cartoonists benefit from three equally proficient songwriters, Lee Elliott, Jeff Tracy and John McElhenney (who also handles the pleasantly dry, dusky vocals), whose songs somehow flow seamlessly into each other. - J.M. Borack

Criminally Unsigned (1997) / Not Lame Recordings Review
Criminally Unsigned (A pure pop/power pop compilation) - Put together by Marty Rudnick and friends from the Audities newsgroup, this CD represents a refreshing development that should be supported by all of you out there in HookLand...that is a fan-based, entreprenuerial project designed to please fans of this stuff first and foremost, BUT which ends up being so much more. Additionally, this comp fills up a MUCH needed void in many of hte compilations that have come out the past few years...that is this represents the softer side of the power pop idiom. That is, the sounds that were fashioned by Beach Boys, Rubinoos, Raspberries, The Association are explored here. Actually, the Rubinoos appear on this CD as Vox Pop and remind us clearly of their glory! And then they appear again with Kyle Vincent on the "Audities Theme Song." After that, it's doubtful you'll know too many of the names, but that matters not as the spirit, talent and love for crafting pop shines bright in this multivaried display of excitement and literate approximation of each artists' respective idol worship. What a great thing. A small listing of some of the artists: The Rubinoos/Vox Pop, Kyle Vincent, Mind Reels, Blue Cartoon, Marc Becino (who has a great new album coming out in March), Bigwheel, Dan Franke, Robert Berry, Mersey Beach, tHe mEsOmEoNeS and sundry display of other folk! Production values vary on a few trax, but it doesn't hurt things one bit. This Pop By Pop Fans For Pop Fans and has all the guts and contains all the glory that should be supported and lifted up by all of us! A Unique and Wonderful compilation...This is, also, a limited pressing so order soon!! Plus, the price can't be beat....special to Not Lame. -NLR

Goldmine Magazine Reivew
Criminally Unsigned CD. - From Texas comes probably the best sounding band, Blue Cartoon. Both tracks are taken from their full-length CD and 'Look Who's Lonely' has a definite Elvis Costello feel to it.

International Pop Overthrow (1998)

Hit The Hay (1999)/Not Lame Recordings Review
HIT THE HAY - Volume 3 - Brand new volume from Sweden(HTH#2 still available) featuring a eclectic line-up that bridges the classic pop world with the more rootsy, alternative country crowd beautifully. 23 songs, including songs from Blue Cartoon, Marc Bacino, Robbie Fulks, Spanic Boys, Ben Vaughn, Rayon City Quartet, The Minus 5, The Skeletons, Terry Anderson, The Incredible Casuals, Michael Shelley and many, many others! Swedish Import.