Flight Of The Conchords
‘Flight Of The Conchords’
Sub Pop
May 12th
4/5
For those of you not well versed in the Flight of The Conchords TV show, from which this album originates, a brief synopsis. Two well-mannered guys (Bret Mckenzie & Jemaine Clement) from New Zealand come to New York to make their folk band big in America, aided by their loveable manager Murray. Their songs punctuate their adventures such as meeting girls, racial abuse, going on tour and dealing with their stalker/ super fan Mel. In a world of cynical, angry and exploitative comedies it is a sweet refreshing alternative, and it’s hilarious too. Really you should buy the DVD rather than the album as all the songs on display here are from the TV show and removed from the context of the show they perhaps lose an inch of their charm.
Having said this album is packed full of great, laugh out loud songs that show music and comedy can mix. The album includes tracks that parody famous acts such as The Pet Shop Boys (‘Inner City Pressure’), Marvin Gaye (‘The Most Beautiful Girl’) and rap music (Hiphopopatamus Vs Rhymenoceros) that work perfectly. Every single track here is built around minute word play and funny asides. Without fail every song has a laugh out loud moment on it. There are too many to mention so a quick top 3 will have to spur you on-
“So you think maybe you'll be a prostitute. Just to pay for your lessons, you're learning the flute. Ladies wouldn't pay you very much for this.Looks like you'll never be a concert flortist.”- ‘Inner City Pressure’
“You know when I'm down to just my socks it's time for business that's why they call it business socks.”- ‘Business Time’
“My rhymes are so potent that in this small segmentI made all the lady listeners pregnantYeah that's right, sometimes my lyrics are sexistBut you lovely bitches know, should knowI'm trying to correct this”- ‘Hiphop-Potamus Vs. Rhymenocerous’
What is outstanding about the music Flight Of The Conchords make is that besides being very funny the songs really get into your brain and nag away harder than any Ting Tings song could ever hope to. The desire to go back and listen to these songs over and over is hard to sate. It is no stretch of the imagination to say that Clement and McKenzie could make a brilliant ‘straight’ album. Their control of melody, instrumentation and lyrical prowess is something that is missing in a lot of more traditional bands around in 2008.
In a field of music often, and normally deservedly, derided as slightly rubbish and pointless Flight Of The Conchords have made one of the warmest and most delightful albums of the year. Now can they please come and tour the UK?
‘Flight Of The Conchords’
Sub Pop
May 12th
4/5
For those of you not well versed in the Flight of The Conchords TV show, from which this album originates, a brief synopsis. Two well-mannered guys (Bret Mckenzie & Jemaine Clement) from New Zealand come to New York to make their folk band big in America, aided by their loveable manager Murray. Their songs punctuate their adventures such as meeting girls, racial abuse, going on tour and dealing with their stalker/ super fan Mel. In a world of cynical, angry and exploitative comedies it is a sweet refreshing alternative, and it’s hilarious too. Really you should buy the DVD rather than the album as all the songs on display here are from the TV show and removed from the context of the show they perhaps lose an inch of their charm.
Having said this album is packed full of great, laugh out loud songs that show music and comedy can mix. The album includes tracks that parody famous acts such as The Pet Shop Boys (‘Inner City Pressure’), Marvin Gaye (‘The Most Beautiful Girl’) and rap music (Hiphopopatamus Vs Rhymenoceros) that work perfectly. Every single track here is built around minute word play and funny asides. Without fail every song has a laugh out loud moment on it. There are too many to mention so a quick top 3 will have to spur you on-
“So you think maybe you'll be a prostitute. Just to pay for your lessons, you're learning the flute. Ladies wouldn't pay you very much for this.Looks like you'll never be a concert flortist.”- ‘Inner City Pressure’
“You know when I'm down to just my socks it's time for business that's why they call it business socks.”- ‘Business Time’
“My rhymes are so potent that in this small segmentI made all the lady listeners pregnantYeah that's right, sometimes my lyrics are sexistBut you lovely bitches know, should knowI'm trying to correct this”- ‘Hiphop-Potamus Vs. Rhymenocerous’
What is outstanding about the music Flight Of The Conchords make is that besides being very funny the songs really get into your brain and nag away harder than any Ting Tings song could ever hope to. The desire to go back and listen to these songs over and over is hard to sate. It is no stretch of the imagination to say that Clement and McKenzie could make a brilliant ‘straight’ album. Their control of melody, instrumentation and lyrical prowess is something that is missing in a lot of more traditional bands around in 2008.
In a field of music often, and normally deservedly, derided as slightly rubbish and pointless Flight Of The Conchords have made one of the warmest and most delightful albums of the year. Now can they please come and tour the UK?
'Business Time'
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