 | Tracklist:
1. Foux du Fafa
2. Inner City Pressure
3. Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros
4. Think About It
5. Ladies of the World
6. Muthafuckas
7. The Prince of Parties
8. Leggy Blonde
9. Robots
10. Boom
11. A Kiss Is Not a Contract
12. The Most Beautiful Girl (in the Room)
13. Business Time
14. Bowie
15. Au Revoir
| Ranking: #50 for 2008 | |
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On 22 Lists
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| Summary: New Zealand duo, Flight of the Conchords, strut their stuff. |
It's not that often when a band’s notoriety comes from their humor more than the music they produce. The last noteworthy band, Tenacious D, was a proven success with their hilarious, yet serious self-titled album. This time, the Flight of the Conchords strive for the same goal. The band consists of two witty New Zealanders, Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, that take comical music to a whole new level. Their self-titled full-length album covers an array of genres among pop, new wave, electronica, hip-hop/rap, and folk. But does it work together?
It seems only appropriate that Bret and Jemaine are responsible for bridging multiple genres together in one album. During their HBO series, each song’s vibe followed the episodes entire mood, proving they could create such a solid mold. "Robots" and "Inner City Pressure" flash with a new wave and electronica style in such a silly and fun manner (as with the whole album). Seriously though, when a song has a binary solo, like "Robots," it is time to get serious. Need tabs for the binary solo? It goes something like, '0000001/ 00000011/ 000000111/ 0000001-1-1.' And yeah, it gets stranger. "Boom" and "Hiphopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros" are two gangster-folk/rap orientated songs. “Boom” begins with Bret uttering, 'she's so hot/she's makin' me sexist/ bitch,' with a Rasta-esque feel that leads the rest of the song. Meanwhile, "Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros" entices listeners with the incredibly smooth flow of verses. Between the Hiphopopotamus' (Jemaine) line, 'yes sometimes my lyrics are sexist/ but you lovely bitches and hoes should know I'm trying to correct this' and the Rhymenoceros' mannerisms with 'sometimes my rhymes are polite, like/ thank you for dinner Mrs. Wright/ that was very delicious/ goodnight.' Along with their rap battle comes an acoustic guitar acting as the beat making the sound different than ordinary rap songs. But they are not always gangsters, these guys do have a soft side.
Jemaine and Bret's range, lower and higher pitched respectively, complement each other perfectly. Jemaine's soothing Barry White-esque vocals in the love-making song "Business Time" is a narrative gem with an equally infectious chorus headed by Bret. "A Kiss Is Not a Contract" and "Leggy Blonde" are sentimental, cute, acoustic ballads. "Leggy Blonde" manages to sneak in a segment that is reminiscent of Sisqo's "Thong Song" capping off the song. In fact, what makes their songs unique, are the fact they are all based from their television show. "Mutha’uckers" is a folk-rap (never thought I'd say that) track based from when Jemaine and Bret buy fruit from a vendor on the street, but they are rejected because they are New Zealanders. As a retort, the "Mutha'uckers" song blossomed talking about their woes of recent troubles. And that's the beauty within this album, every song is an inside joke, yet accessible for anyone to interpret.
Overall, Flight of the Conchords created a well-rounded, original, and entertaining album filled with classic songs from their hit show. It may be hard to truly understand certain songs without knowing the episode and after all, you cannot recreate the incredible "Business Time" scene or the imagery of their revelation in "Bowie." With thumping bass-lines, great pop hooks, and quaint acoustic guitars, the instrumental portion alone keeps the album interesting. Add the vocals and lyrics and something beautiful is created. The Flight of the Conchords have been here for a while now, and it is finally their time to show the rest of the world who they are and what they are about.
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 3.5
This album is so fresh, it's hard to talk about every song without being repetitive. I feel bad for not talking about it more, but I mean it's just an awesome, awesome music/comedy album. Highly recommended for fans, I posted up 'Ladies of the World' for people to listen to even though it's not the best song off this album.
Here is a link for "Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros" video. It's incredible.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FArZxLj6DLk
not my best review..This Message Edited On 04.22.08
| | | Album Rating: 4
Really great shit, I try not to listen to this often so that it doesn't lose its charm.
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These guys are awesome. I need to get this.
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its business time
| | | Album Rating: 4
This CD is so hot, it's making me sexist. Love "Inner City Pressure." I need to finish watching the first season.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Funny stuff right here. The show is awesome too. Foux du Fafa is sexy.
| | | Album Rating: 4
The beginning of Bowie made me laugh so hard.
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oh man newbie staffers rocking the features.
neat review
Digging: Mount Eerie - Clear Moon
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
it's good to see a review of this. the HBO series is the funniest show to come out since Metalocalypse in my opinion
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Nice review. Happy 50th
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Foux De Fafe reminds me of Serge Gainsbourg.
I like this.
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"Bret you got it goin' on" is sadly absent. Otherwise this is awesome
| | | Album Rating: 4
Weird, I have it with my version (iTunes).
| | | Album Rating: 4
"Bret you got it goin' on" is sadly absent.
Not happy about that but otherwise i defintely shall get this asap.
It's just too bad i have like every song memorized...have they added anything to the songs that make them different from the versions played during the show?
Digging: La Dispute - Vancouver Digging: La Dispute - Vancouver | | | Album Rating: 3.5
I want this so bad.
| | | Album Rating: 4
Thank god I have Season 1 on DVD.
Prince of Parties is my favorite at the moment.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Thanks EC, slep.
Yeah Prince of Parties is awesome. New season coming out in 2009 (would have came out this year, but there was a lame writers strike).
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Interesting that 'If You're Into It' and 'Bret You Got It Goin' On' aren't on it.
I need to get this.
Digging: Stagnant Pools - Temporary Room Digging: Stagnant Pools - Temporary Room | | |
Foux du Fafa made me pee a little.
Digging: Hop Along - Get Disowned Digging: Hop Along - Get Disowned
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"If your into it" is easily my favorite song from them =] btw not all the songs were made just for the show, some of the songs came out before the show aired.
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