Please Come Again: Customer Service Songs

Esopus magazine is known for taking an offbeat look at the worlds of visual art, design and culture. But every installment of the twice-yearly publication also comes with a delightfully conceptual CD of commissioned works. The latest, issue No. 19, features artists like Jens Lekman, Basia Bulat and Richard Swift of The Shins playing off a topic that most of us know all too well: customer service.

Esopus editor Tod Lippy and trombonist Jacob Garchik, who composed "The Tip Jar," discuss the challenge of turning a dreadful topic into beautiful, even hilarious music.