CORPORATE LINE: “Weird Al” continues to reward his countless fans around the globe with yet another collection of insanely incisive musical comedy. As a special bonus, Straight Outta Lynwood will be available on DualDisc. which will include all original animations of all Al’s original tracks! All-star animations include Academy Award nominee Bill Plympton, John Kricfalusi (Ren and Stimpy), Seth Green and Matt Senreich (Robot Chicken/Adult Swim, Family Guy). Also featured are Karaoke versions of the entire album including a scrolling lyric sheet for each track. As if that wasn’t enough the Dual Disc also contains a behind-the-scenes featurette. All of this in a 5.1 Dolby mix of the entire album!
THE GOOD:
“Canadian Idiot” – This should have been the album’s single. Al take on Green Day’s “American Idiot” made me laugh out loud. Al pours on Canadians by taking stabs at their money, degrees in Celsius, curling, how they hover over us and how it makes Al nervous and we should take a preemptive strike. This is a brilliant satire.
“White & Nerdy” – Weird Al kicks out Chamillionaire’s “Ridin’” with an absolutely hilarious track full of every nerdy reference known to man: “I edit wikipedia… I even made a homepage for my dog… the only question I ever thought was hard was if I like Kirk or I like Picard.” The song goes so fast that it takes more than a few listens to get down most of the lyrics and references.
“Confessions Part III” – Al lampoons Usher and in a shamelessly funny extension of the “Confessions” hits. Al sings about ridiculous things that no one would care about… but imagining Usher singing this makes it really hilarious. It’s even more amazing that Al can sing like a pop/R&B star.
THE AVERAGE:
“Pancreas” – An ode to the unforgotten organ done as a parody of the Beach Boy’s “Heroes and Villains” and “Vegetables”. Al’s version is no less ridiculous than Brian Wilson’s ode to veggies—it’s good for a laugh.
“I’ll Sue Ya” – Al goes heavy with Rage Against The Machine if they were to sue everyone. “I sued Colorado because it looks a bit too much like Wyoming” and “I sued delta airlines ‘cause they sold me a ticket to New Jersey/ I went there it sucked.”
“Polkarama!” – I never dug Al’s polka songs. It’s important that you know all of the songs that he references otherwise it sounds like pure lunacy. Although he had me singing “living in Beverly Hills” well after the song was over—the most interesting effect was in showcasing the ridiculousness of most pop lyrics.
“Virus Alert” – Al lampoons our fear of computer viruses in a hook that is reminiscent of all the bad ‘80s pop songs.
“Weasel Stomping Day” – It sounds like a Christmas song too bad its not interesting enough to listen to more than once.
“Do I Creep You Out” – Not even American Idol comes away unscathed. Al takes on “Do I Make You Proud.”
“Trapped In The Drive-Thru” – This track is just under eleven minutes and is Al’s take on R. Kelly’s “Trapped in the Closet”.
“Don’t Download This Song” – Very reminiscent of “We Are The World”.
THE BAD:
Nothing.
FRANKLY: Straight Outta Lynwood is full of hilarity. Anyone that loves comedy albums should head out and grab this—if not for “Canadian Idiot” alone. Best of all, there are times when listen to a song like “White & Nerdy” for umpteenth time and realizing that I’ve missed an lyric or reference and cracking up.
+ Rae Gun
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