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May132008

Review: The Flight of the Conchords’ world welcomes you, and it’s funny

Filed under Uncategorized by andrew toland at 11:56 am

"Flight of the Conchords" by Flight of the Conchords (Sub Pop) - Out now

Imagine a world without overly serious musicians. It’s a place where even sad songs are funny, and only the female singers wear makeup (Sorry, emo kids). And, oh yeah, it’s OK to laugh. A lot. This is the world in which Flight of the Conchords exist.

In case you’re not familiar with Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, the New Zealanders been making side-splitting music since the late ’90s. After years of touring and a radio show on the BBC, they’ve hit their heights on HBO.

The TV show — also named "Flight of the Conchords" — is a hilariously awkward sitcom interspersed with music videos for the tunes that make up their first full-length album. While the show is awkward funny, the album is just straight funny.

But lost during the show is how good the music actually is.

The synth-pop of "Inner City Pressure" sounds a lot like "West End Girls" and "Bowie" borrows heavily from Ziggy Stardust’s catalog, but a lot of the rest is very original.  

The socially conscious R&B of "Think About It" actually sounds like something Hall & Oates may have tried to get away with in the ’70s - singing "They’re turning kids into slaves just to make cheaper sneakers/But what’s the real cost, cost the sneakers don’t seem that much cheaper."

"Hiphopopotamus Vs. Rhymenocerous (Featuring Rhymenocerous And The Hiphopapoatumus)" sends up bragadocious rappers, while still maintaining the incredible social awkwardness that makes the show great.

And just try not to bob your head during their tribute to the girls in "Ladies of the World."

While things drag a bit with "The Prince of Parties" and "Boom," the rest is gold. Like "The Most Beautiful Girl (In the Room)" which professes" "You’re so beautiful/ You could be a part-time model/ But you’d probably still have to keep your normal job." "Leggy Blonde" is another gem featuring castmate - and fellow comedian - Ryhs Darby.

But Bret and Jemaine are never better than on "Businesstime," a beautiful little ditty about the no-pants dance: "Next thing you know I’m down to just my socks and you know when I’m down to just my socks what time it is…it’s time for business. It’s business time."

The only bad news is the first season of TV show pretty much tapped out Bret and Jemaine’s storehouse of music. That, coupled with last year’s painful TV writers’ strike could push the second season back to next year. Bummer.

In the meantime, feel free to listen to the soundtrack over and over again until you can quote every song - and I warn you, you will quote every song. And remember, in the world of Flight of the Conchords, it’s actually OK to laugh. A lot.

Download this track now: "Businesstime" 

Viewing 3 Comments

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    LOVES me some conchords. "if you're into that."

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    I enjoyed reading this blog in the Encore last week. You even inspired me to go online and listen to some of Flight of the Conchords' music. I must admit, it is very funny!


    However, you stated that their music is mostly original, "and that's where they differ from novelty music legend Weird Al Yankovic, who merely rewrites the lyrics to already popular songs."


    That is a popular misconception of "Weird Al" Yankovic's music. While it is true that "Weird Al" Yankovic is well-known for his hilarious parodies of popular songs, he also writes quite a lot of original songs as well. In fact, at least half of the songs on all of his albums are originals, and they're really good, too!


    "Weird Al" has other talents, as well. Besides directing his own music videos, he has directed videos for other music stars such as Hanson, Ben Folds and the Presidents of the United States of America.


    He has had the same band for about 27 years. Besides performing and recording with "Weird Al," each band member is an accomplished musician in his own right. They have recorded their own solo CD's, and they are really good!


    It is easy to dismiss "Weird Al" Yankovic as that wacky guy with the crazy hair and Hawaiian shirt who does silly parodies. Don't underestimate Al or his band. Buy his latest CD , "Straight Outta Lynwood." Go see him in concert in Gilford, NH on July 15th.


    You'll be amazed.

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    I appreciate the feedback. If I'd done any real looking into it, I'd probably have discovered he writes originals, too. And just to be clear, I'm a big fan of "Trapped in the Drive Thru."


    I've edited that part of the blog to correct my mistake.

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