‘Parks And Recreation’ Band Mouse Rat Release ‘The Awesome Album’

Fans of the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation will have been familiar with the fictional band Mouse Rat for a very long time. Formed by Chris Pratt’s character Andy Dwyer, the band were first introduced in Season 1 Episode 6, which was titled ‘Rock Show’, in 2009.

The Awesome Album was first announced in May 2021, with the first single ‘5,000 Candles In The Wind’ being released on the 10-year anniversary of Season 3 Episode 16. This episode featured a memorial for the much-loved miniature horse, Li’l Sebastian, the mascot of the town of Pawnee. It went on to become one of the most famous and memorable moments of the entire show.

The release of ‘5,000 Candles In The Wind’ was promoted by none other than Perd Hapley, Pawnee’s news presenter, who was played by Jay Jackson. “It’s been 10 years since Li’l Sebastian went to mini horse heaven, and to celebrate his miniature life, local band Mouse Rat has released ‘5,000 Candles In The Wind’,” Jackson said in a YouTube clip, perfectly in character. He added, “So, go listen and gently weep with me! Ya heard?”

The 16-track album includes an array of fictional songs that were featured in various episodes of the show throughout its seven seasons, including the previously mentioned ‘5,000 Candles in the Wind’ alongside ‘The Pit’, ‘Sex Hair’ and ‘Catch Your Dream’. The album was released via DualTone in collaboration with Entertainment 720, the fictional company created by Aziz Ansari’s character, Tom Haverford.

The album also includes two features from the legendary Duke Silver, Ron Swanson’s saxophone-playing jazz alter-ego. Swanson, famous for his love of meat and women called Tammy, was portrayed by Nick Offerman in the show. Scott Tanner (Jeff Tweedy), a member of the Pawnee band Land Ho!, also guests on the album alongside Duke Silver on the closing song ‘Cold Water’.

Even though the finale episode of Parks and Recreation aired over six years ago on 24 February 2015, The Awesome Album brings back a flood of memories of the sitcom. It succeeds in keeping the fictional world alive for just that little bit longer; something that fans of the show will surely be very grateful for.

‘The Awesome Album’ is available to stream on all major platforms. A limited-edition range of merchandise and physical copies can also be bought here.

Words by Gemma Cockrell

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