2008 Woodie Awards
A Little Too Weird
Houston Hughes
Issue date: 9/29/06 Section: Arts & Entertainment
- Page 1 of 2 next >
By Houston Hughes
Student Reporter
HughesHR@hendrix.edu
Although I normally only consider myself entitled to give opinions on rock and metal albums, I, like so many others from all genres of musical background, have a soft spot for "Weird" Al Yankovic. From his classics like "Eat It" and "Yoda" to his more modern hits such as "Amish Paradise" and "The Saga Begins", Al has established himself as both a talented musician and a master of parodies. After hitting his most recent high point with the album Running With Scissors, Al's next album Poodle Hat left many to wonder if he was beginning to slip. Unfortunately, his latest release, Straight Outta Lynnwood, does little to counter that sentiment.
The album begins with "White and Nerdy", a parody of "Ridin" by Chamillionaire. While the song itself is fairly inventive and has a few great lines, it doesn't come close to comparing to Al's previous nerd/rap crossover, "All About the Pentiums." The album then moves on to an interesting song entitled "Pancreas." The song harkens back to a time when Al would write a song about anything, just so long as he could fit it into a tune (such as "My Bologna" and "I Want a New Duck"). Put simply, if you enjoy a catchy tune about the functions of one of your organs, then this song is for you. If not, then skip it.
The third track on this album is the only true gem here, "Canadian Idiot" (a parody of Green Day's "American Idiot"). The song takes stabs at Canadian culture, ending in a call for a pre-emptive strike. With quirky lyrics like "They think their silly accent is so cute / Can't understand a thing they're talkin' aboot," this song is instantly quotable. My only lament is that it doesn't go into another verse before ending. This wonderful song is followed by a terribly weak showing in the form of "I'll Sue Ya", an original song in the style of Rage Against the Machine's "Killing in the Name Of", which then gives way to another breath of fresh air via Weir Al's newest polka cover compilation "Polkarama!"
Student Reporter
HughesHR@hendrix.edu
Although I normally only consider myself entitled to give opinions on rock and metal albums, I, like so many others from all genres of musical background, have a soft spot for "Weird" Al Yankovic. From his classics like "Eat It" and "Yoda" to his more modern hits such as "Amish Paradise" and "The Saga Begins", Al has established himself as both a talented musician and a master of parodies. After hitting his most recent high point with the album Running With Scissors, Al's next album Poodle Hat left many to wonder if he was beginning to slip. Unfortunately, his latest release, Straight Outta Lynnwood, does little to counter that sentiment.
The album begins with "White and Nerdy", a parody of "Ridin" by Chamillionaire. While the song itself is fairly inventive and has a few great lines, it doesn't come close to comparing to Al's previous nerd/rap crossover, "All About the Pentiums." The album then moves on to an interesting song entitled "Pancreas." The song harkens back to a time when Al would write a song about anything, just so long as he could fit it into a tune (such as "My Bologna" and "I Want a New Duck"). Put simply, if you enjoy a catchy tune about the functions of one of your organs, then this song is for you. If not, then skip it.
The third track on this album is the only true gem here, "Canadian Idiot" (a parody of Green Day's "American Idiot"). The song takes stabs at Canadian culture, ending in a call for a pre-emptive strike. With quirky lyrics like "They think their silly accent is so cute / Can't understand a thing they're talkin' aboot," this song is instantly quotable. My only lament is that it doesn't go into another verse before ending. This wonderful song is followed by a terribly weak showing in the form of "I'll Sue Ya", an original song in the style of Rage Against the Machine's "Killing in the Name Of", which then gives way to another breath of fresh air via Weir Al's newest polka cover compilation "Polkarama!"
Be the first to comment on this story