School of Whimsy

School of Whimsy is a 2018 album from Professor Elemental. The album features contributions from Nick Maxwell, Ella Jean, Katey Matey, Jon Clark, Gramski, Dr Syntax, Willie Evans Jr, Jesse Dangerously, and Sabira Jade. Skit tracks sample speeches and dialogue from Ray Bradbury and Neil Gaiman.

The album encourages listeners to be themselves, to try new things, and find joy in everything, even making fun in the midst of the mundane.

The format sets up the concept of the School of Whimsy, a university led by Professor Elemental himself. Listeners, aka students, are asked to "have the silliest time possible."

Throughout the album there are references to past songs and albums including All In Together and Cup of Brown Joy.

Reception
Music review site 3 Songs & Out gave the album 4.5 of 5 stars. In their review, Scott Hamilton concludes by saying "Professor Elemental's world is crazy, cheery and full of fun for everyone. We could do with having a few more people like him around... Rather than getting fed up with life's negativity, learn your lesson from the "School Of Whimsy." Enjoy yourself.... and make good art!" ''

Track listing
All compositions by Paul Alborough and Tom Caruana except as indicated


 * 1) "Words From The Headmaster" - 1:15
 * 2) "Comfort Zone feat. Nick Maxwell" - 2:42
 * 3) "Downside Up feat. Ella Jean" - 2:38
 * 4) "Came a Long Way feat. Nick Maxwell" - 3:12
 * 5) "One Too Many" - 3:28
 * 6) "Crackpot (skit)" - 0:42
 * 7) "Jumble Sale feat. Katey Matey, Jon Clark, and Gramski" - 3:57
 * 8) "Nervous" - 2:41
 * 9) "Housebound Hedonists feat. Dr Syntax & Nick Maxwell" - 2:45
 * 10) "Live Like Kings feat. Ella Jean" - 2:42
 * 11) "Witness The Miraculous (skit)" - 1:09
 * 12) "Make Good Art pt. 2 feat. Willie Evans Jr & Jesse Dangerously" - 3:16
 * 13) "SQRL" - 3:52
 * 14) "Everything You Need To Get Started (skit)" - 1:28
 * 15) "Tom's House feat. Sabira Jade" - 3:13
 * 16) "Good Morning feat. Nick Maxwell" - 2:48
 * 17) "Sunskip" - 2:22
 * 18) "Outro (skit)" - 2:10

Music Videos
Music videos released for the album included Good Morning, Nervous, One Too Many, Jumble Sale, and SQRL.

Good Morning
The video for Good Morning is themed around an appearance by the good Professor on a morning talk show hosted by Geoffrey and Penelope Phingeeh titled, appropriately, "Good Morning". The Professor, watching from home, realises he's meant to be at the studio and races there as chaotically as possible. Intervening segments indicate a later interview with politician Max "Poor Tax" Nickwell. The Professor arrives for what appears to be a cooking segment that quickly devolves into chaos involving Rubik's Cubes and alcohol. Nickwell joins the festivities as well before the show is pulled from the air, to be replaced by a hotly awaited quiz show titled "Whose Round Is It Anyway?"

Credits include Sarah Powell as Penelope, Karl Savage as Geoffrey, Nick Maxwell as Max Nickwell, and the Professor as himself.