It's that time of our lives again. The parody composer Weird Al Yankovic has released his latest album "Mandatory Fun." Upon listening to it, I was left with one feeling: Why are people obsessed with this guy? He did a lot of good songs, but there's a lot of untapped material that I am unaware of. For the next two weeks, I will be listening and reviewing each day Weird Al's discography from "'Weird Al' Yankovic" to "Mandatory Fun" with thoughts on the highs and lows and answer the eternal question: Do I LOVE Weird Al Yet?
Album: "Alpocalypse"
Release Date: June 21, 2011
Record Label: Volcano
Preconceived Notions: Things were looking up with "Straight Outta Lynwood" and his transition to the modern age seems rather effective. From the track list alone, it looks like he is going to be hitting a lot of great topics and making something of value. My only worry is that the album is a play on his name. For those that remember, "Alapalooza" was not necessarily a terrible or great album, but it reflected a sort of strained quality that made me feel like things could have ended up better. Either way, I'd like to think that things will work out and that this is all just a fluke.
Track List:
Track List:
- Perform This Way
- CNR
- TMZ
- Skipper Dan
- Polka Face
- Craigslist
- Party in the CIA
- Ringtone
- Another Tattoo
- If That Isn't Love
- Whatever You Like
- Stop Forwarding That Crap to Me
Best Song: "Party in the CIA"
Again, finding new material is always a welcomed sign in this era of Weird Al. He has already tackled a lot of familiar subjects, but now we get to hear him do one about the CIA in a very comedic style. Set to Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA," it hits all of the beats rather endearingly and makes the overall song about covering up conspiracies into something of a wonderful pop song. It definitely ranks as one of the best parodies on the album. It understands its subject so clearly that it is undeniably charming in the process.
Worst Song: "Whatever You Like"
Do we really need to discuss this at this point? A song about being low rent and buying somebody stuff (predominantly food) from all of these different places. I get the satire, but it isn't necessarily funny and continuing to write songs about being cheap is not really winning me over. If I wasn't impressed by the rest of his catalog, I'd be more turned off by songs like this. Also, it does seem very tacky to do reference Wal Mart as he does. I get that it is subverting the eponymous T.I. song, but it isn't really trying anything interesting with it.
Was That a Parody?: "Skipper Dan"
According to Wikipedia, this is a parody of Weezer. I don't get it. However, it is insatiable and an excellent song about being stuck in a dead end job. He talks about Quentin Tarantino rejecting him and having to basically run the jungle cruise ride for 50 years. It is sort of depressing, but alongside the upbeat music, it is all sorts of catchy and ranks as the highest point on the album, including a rather excellent breakdown featuring Tom Kenny.
Most Dated Song: "Another Tattoo"
It might not immediately be clear why I chose this one considering that "TMZ" and "Perform This Way" both have a lot more dated concepts. The fact is that those are done in a vague enough manner that you can escape comparisons to Taylor Swift or Lady GaGa. Here, "Another Tattoo" references a whole lot of different characters in pop culture that aren't necessarily the most memorable. While the concept of getting a lot of tattoos is humorous, it will be tough for this song to hold up if you try and imagine everything that he says.
Strangest Song: "Craigslist"
In a fitting fashion, a song about the strangest service-offering website produces some strange results. While I argue how it is a parody of The Doors (feels too dark and aggressive), it does capture the psychedelic weirdness of having to deal with the website's patrons in public. It isn't a particularly great song rhythmically like "eBay," but it does the trick in going for surreal imagery and then demanding something greater. It builds upon itself until it dives into madness, leaving you to actually feel just how strange Craigslist actually is.
Great Notes: Tom Kenny appears on "Skipper Dan." The song "If That Isn't Love" is in the style of Hanson and features member Taylor Hanson on piano. The song "Craigslist" is a parody of The Doors and features original member Ray Manzarek on keyboards.
Final Thoughts: It is a solid, not great album. While nothing has yet to lack as much as "Poodle Hat," it does feel like the muster of Weird Al comes in the strangest spurts. He'll have creative genius, and then the following album will sometimes play like really good b-sides. This is one of those examples. There's a lot of creative ideas and excellent craft, but there's nothing as immediately interesting, save for "Skipper Dan," as all of "Straight Outta Lynwood." Nonetheless, it delivers a lot of new premises to skewer and it is rather effective in keeping him relevant and still somewhat enjoyable even at his worst.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Do I LOVE Weird Al Yet?: Yes, though this isn't necessarily a great album in my opinion. With one more to go, I doubt that I will be dropping off in terms of love. However, I will admit that with exception to "Poodle Hat," there hasn't been a downright disposable album.
Polka Ranking (All Albums)
1. "Polka Power!" (from "Running with Scissors" - 1999)
2. "Polkarama!" (from "Straight Outta Lynwood" - 2006)
3. "Polka Your Eyes Out" (from "Off the Deep End" - 1992)
4. "Polka Face" (from "Alpocalypse" - 2011)
5. "Polkas on 45" (from "'Weird Al' Yankovic in 3-D" - 1984)
6. "Angry White Boy Polka" (from "Poodle Hat" - 2003)
7. "The Alternative Polka" (from "Bad Hair Day" - 1996)
8. "The Hot Rocks Polka" (from "UHF" - 1989)
9. "Bohemian Polka" (from "Alpalooza" - 1993)
10. "Polka Party!" (from "Polka Party! - 1986)
2. "Polkarama!" (from "Straight Outta Lynwood" - 2006)
3. "Polka Your Eyes Out" (from "Off the Deep End" - 1992)
4. "Polka Face" (from "Alpocalypse" - 2011)
5. "Polkas on 45" (from "'Weird Al' Yankovic in 3-D" - 1984)
6. "Angry White Boy Polka" (from "Poodle Hat" - 2003)
7. "The Alternative Polka" (from "Bad Hair Day" - 1996)
8. "The Hot Rocks Polka" (from "UHF" - 1989)
9. "Bohemian Polka" (from "Alpalooza" - 1993)
10. "Polka Party!" (from "Polka Party! - 1986)
11. "Hooked on Polkas" (from "Dare to Be Stupid" - 1985)
Ranking (All Albums)
1. Running with Scissors (1999)
2. Straight Outta Lynwood (2006)
3. Dare to Be Stupid (1985)
4. Off the Deep End (1992)
5. Bad Hair Day (1996)
6. "Weird Al" Yankovic (1983)
7. Alapalooza (1993)
8. Even Worse (1988)
2. Straight Outta Lynwood (2006)
3. Dare to Be Stupid (1985)
4. Off the Deep End (1992)
5. Bad Hair Day (1996)
6. "Weird Al" Yankovic (1983)
7. Alapalooza (1993)
8. Even Worse (1988)
9. Alpocalypse (2011)
10. UHF (1989)
11. "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D (1984)
12. Polka Party! (1986)
13. Poodle Hat (2003)
14. Peter and the Wolf (1988)
UP NEXT: "Mandatory Fun" (2014)
10. UHF (1989)
11. "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D (1984)
12. Polka Party! (1986)
13. Poodle Hat (2003)
14. Peter and the Wolf (1988)
UP NEXT: "Mandatory Fun" (2014)
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