Album review -- "Weird Al" Yankovic, Alpocalypse
We bought the new Weird Al CD when it came out, have been listening to it almost constantly since. IMHO, it's his best album since 1999's Running With Scissors.
First, the cover. The picture would not be out of place on a heavy metal album cover. Somehow, I never pictured any of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse wearing a Hawaiian shirt, unless that pattern is supposed to be "Pestilence". ;)
Now, the songs. A good mix of styles, from current to classic, rap, rock, dance and, of course, polka.
"Perform This Way" -- parody of Lady Gaga's "Born This Way". Funny, clever, a little pointed, very enjoyable. Great video, even if the computer superimposition of Al's head onto the dancer's body doesn't always synch quite right.
"CNR" -- pastiche of the White Stripes. Good, on-target style parody, though I could've done without a few of the lyrics. :shrug:
"TMZ" -- parody of Taylor Swift's "You Belong To Me". Brilliant lyrics. Truly, I like this version better than the original.
"Skipper Dan" -- pastiche of Weezer. Ouch, this one hits a little too close to home. Very good song, but probably the saddest one Weird Al has ever done.
"Polka Face" -- the obligatory polka medly.
"Craigslist" -- pastiche of The Doors. This is one of my favorites on the album. Ray Manzarek's keyboards really make the song, and Al does a bang-on vocal imitation of Jim Morrison, who must be looking down from rock and roll heaven with a big grin. :)
"Party In The CIA" -- parody of Miley Cyrus' "Party In The USA". It's not bad, but I guess you have to have heard the original song (I haven't) to appreciate the song.
"Ringtone" -- pastiche of Queen. Almost, but doesn't quite work. Al is a fine singer, but not nearly in Freddie Mercury's league, and you can hear his voice straining from time to time to hit the more operatic notes.
"Another Tattoo" -- parody of "Nothin' On You" by B.o.B featuring Bruno Mars. Another one whose original I haven't heard.
"If That Isn't Love" -- pastiche of Hanson. I think if that were my S.O., I'd have to slap him upside the head a few times. Still a pretty funny song.
"Whatever You Like" -- parody of T.I.'s "Whatever You Like", and the only Weird Al song that has the same title as the original. The original was a fantasy, this song is the reality. Sad, but true.
"Stop Forwarding That Crap to Me" -- pastiche of Jim Steinman. Another favorite. I really wish this song had come out a few years ago; I would've forwarded the link to my aunt who kept sending me the anti-Obama spam!!!
9/10 stars. A fun album, worth a lot of listens. :)
First, the cover. The picture would not be out of place on a heavy metal album cover. Somehow, I never pictured any of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse wearing a Hawaiian shirt, unless that pattern is supposed to be "Pestilence". ;)
Now, the songs. A good mix of styles, from current to classic, rap, rock, dance and, of course, polka.
"Perform This Way" -- parody of Lady Gaga's "Born This Way". Funny, clever, a little pointed, very enjoyable. Great video, even if the computer superimposition of Al's head onto the dancer's body doesn't always synch quite right.
"CNR" -- pastiche of the White Stripes. Good, on-target style parody, though I could've done without a few of the lyrics. :shrug:
"TMZ" -- parody of Taylor Swift's "You Belong To Me". Brilliant lyrics. Truly, I like this version better than the original.
"Skipper Dan" -- pastiche of Weezer. Ouch, this one hits a little too close to home. Very good song, but probably the saddest one Weird Al has ever done.
"Polka Face" -- the obligatory polka medly.
"Craigslist" -- pastiche of The Doors. This is one of my favorites on the album. Ray Manzarek's keyboards really make the song, and Al does a bang-on vocal imitation of Jim Morrison, who must be looking down from rock and roll heaven with a big grin. :)
"Party In The CIA" -- parody of Miley Cyrus' "Party In The USA". It's not bad, but I guess you have to have heard the original song (I haven't) to appreciate the song.
"Ringtone" -- pastiche of Queen. Almost, but doesn't quite work. Al is a fine singer, but not nearly in Freddie Mercury's league, and you can hear his voice straining from time to time to hit the more operatic notes.
"Another Tattoo" -- parody of "Nothin' On You" by B.o.B featuring Bruno Mars. Another one whose original I haven't heard.
"If That Isn't Love" -- pastiche of Hanson. I think if that were my S.O., I'd have to slap him upside the head a few times. Still a pretty funny song.
"Whatever You Like" -- parody of T.I.'s "Whatever You Like", and the only Weird Al song that has the same title as the original. The original was a fantasy, this song is the reality. Sad, but true.
"Stop Forwarding That Crap to Me" -- pastiche of Jim Steinman. Another favorite. I really wish this song had come out a few years ago; I would've forwarded the link to my aunt who kept sending me the anti-Obama spam!!!
9/10 stars. A fun album, worth a lot of listens. :)