Third Conchord - Lion
Rating : 9.0/10
Here's something you know : Flight of the Conchords are hilarious. Here's something you might not know : They are pretty god damn good musicians. On their first self titled LP, the New Zealand comedy duo succeed in making you laugh while getting the songs stuck in your head for weeks. Bret and Jemaine aren't stupid. This isn't an in your face comedy album that tries too hard and falls flat on its own face (ala Tenacious D). These songs are carefully crafted and layered so you discover new things about them the second or third times through.
The album immediately grabs your attention with the charming "Foux du Fafa." It is followed by the synth-lead "Inner City Pressure" and perhaps FOTC's most popular song, "Hiphopopatamus vs. Rhymenocerous." Bret and Jemaine perfectly mock the self-promotion aspect of the rapping business while making you laugh. The first single off of FOTC is "Ladies of the World." Rhys Darby, 'Murray' from the HBO show, makes a guest appearance on "Leggy Blonde." 'I had a budgie but it died. I like...PIE!' Darby sings. The album continues strong and finishes strong with "Business Time" and "Bowie," both already established hits.
Overall, Bret and Jemaine have created something new with this LP. Never before have we seen such smart, well-crafted comedy in music before. Their acoustic guitars, bass guitars, synthesizers, and other instruments lay the perfect background to their jokes. It would have been easy for them to spit a few jokes into the microphone while occasionally strumming their guitars, but they decided to make an album worth listening to for two reasons: the music AND the jokes. And that is what will keep the Flight of the Conchords around for many years to come.
The album immediately grabs your attention with the charming "Foux du Fafa." It is followed by the synth-lead "Inner City Pressure" and perhaps FOTC's most popular song, "Hiphopopatamus vs. Rhymenocerous." Bret and Jemaine perfectly mock the self-promotion aspect of the rapping business while making you laugh. The first single off of FOTC is "Ladies of the World." Rhys Darby, 'Murray' from the HBO show, makes a guest appearance on "Leggy Blonde." 'I had a budgie but it died. I like...PIE!' Darby sings. The album continues strong and finishes strong with "Business Time" and "Bowie," both already established hits.
Overall, Bret and Jemaine have created something new with this LP. Never before have we seen such smart, well-crafted comedy in music before. Their acoustic guitars, bass guitars, synthesizers, and other instruments lay the perfect background to their jokes. It would have been easy for them to spit a few jokes into the microphone while occasionally strumming their guitars, but they decided to make an album worth listening to for two reasons: the music AND the jokes. And that is what will keep the Flight of the Conchords around for many years to come.
Check out the video for "Ladies of the World"
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI took time to watch the video and i am glad i did. The music is legitimately entertaining and It made me laugh. The only problem I had with the music is that it didn't make sense. It kind of reminded me of weird al's random musical comedies which i still respect but don't enjoy as much, (times change sadly). Although the video is funny, I think it would be more entertaining if it had meaning behind it. Maybe I'm just missing it?
ReplyDeleteI also watched the video and I'm not sure what you mean when you say the music didn't make sense. The social message seems clear as the Conchords call for a better world in which love is placed above violence and hate, as for the lyrics, there is a chance that a person who does not watch the show might not understand some jokes; however most of the jokes are simply subtle and might not jump out at you upon first viewing (as Lion pointed out in his blog). I would highly recommend watching the show, I guarantee it will grow on you over time. Finally, it is possible that the meaning of this song was lost on you because it goes out exclusively "to all the ladies in the world."
ReplyDeletefotc are amazing. :) absolutely hilarious and their songs are great. but heres what i want to know, as random as it might be; the cover art for their album, what do you call that type of art? with the leaves and stuff?
ReplyDeletemm, random i know...