"Al's Band" Song Discussion Thread

Post by **BabyBoolie27** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:29 am

I thought this was a really good first effort. I mean the guys are testing out the waters, trying to find what works. I give it an 8 out of 10. Yes, they could have been on mic more, but I still thought it was an A++ job!

Kudos Steve, Jim, Ruben and Jon! I liked it and can't wait to here more!

catanddogdoctor · Post by **catanddogdoctor** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:45 am

Wow, what a diversity of reactions...............I leave for the evening and the roof caves in!

It is definitely not my intention to enter into controversy (for a whole lot of personal reasons that will not be discussed publically), but I felt like I needed to write something. Need some mental dialysis so here it goes.........

My whole take on this is that a few people expected and "Al style" parody. Guys, this is a side project, about Al but not made by Al. Steve's style
is a total 180 from Al's. His music has a lot World Music influence, which a lot of peole are not exposed to and/or it is just not their cup of tea. I also get the feeling that some of you expected a "Mommy Dearest" type tell-all set to music. Therefore they were disapointed when the song just told the story of the band. I never expected that so I cannot say I was disapointed at all. The tune is catchy and if you listen with the lyrics in front of you there is absolutely NO PROBLEM understading it. I do that a lot because English is not my native language, it is just something I do with most music I listen to. No biggie eh?

The problem I have is with the people that referred to it as utter garbage and that we are buying it because we are like lemmings and will buy anything Al related. Those type of comments are uncalled for. This is such a diverse group of people (not to mention a large one too), that I find it
incredibly insulting taht anyone would "lump" us together in such a nasty way. There are stuff people here are into, that I could not care less about. Do I
think in any way shape or form that what they are into is stupid or garbage. No, it is just human nature to like diverse things. I love love love Musical Theater and just saw a play tonight that 4 people had told me it was not very good (including two professional actors). And you know what? I really liked it......... it was not Tony worthy or anything but I enjoyed and was glad I went to see it.

I really cannot see the guys having solos, at least on this song. This music does not lend itself for that IMHO. Plus some of the guys are stronger
vocally than others. What works as a group might not sound so well as solos (sorry guys).

I guess what I am trying to say is one can offer a different opinion without being offensive. Better yet, follow my granny's advise, "If you have
nothing good to say, don't say anything at all".

Maria

Post by **Eithne** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:15 am

Thank you, Maria for posting that.

Yeah, just because something isn't to our liking or the musical language seems so different doesn't make it rubbish. And as for us buying stuff like lemmings (good visual btw

) I would be into Steve's and Jim's music if they had never work with Al a moment of their lives. I'm grateful to no end that they do of course, but they are so chalk full of talent and ideas I don't 'need' to think of how they're connected to Al when I'm listening to their solo work.

Post by **TMBJon** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 11:30 am

You've gotta keep in mind this song is not meant to be a single or a mainstream song or anything remotely like that - the core (actually, only) audience for this project is us, the Weird Al fans.

Personally, I found the style to be pretty interesting. I haven't really heard anything like it before and I really dig the instrumental a lot. The lyrics were great precisely because they were about what it's like to be in Al's band. If they had been singing about something else, it wouldn't be that interesting. But that's the whole point - the project is called Al's Band, the song is called Al's Band - the whole thing is meant as entertainment for us, nothing else. It must be understood within the context of who these four individuals are and who the likely audience is for the song.

Yes it wasn't perfect and at times kind of clunky, but I am still very impressed with the concept of these guys coming together to work on a project without Al. And I'm somewhat flattered that they would do this for us, too. I don't consider myself an automatic fan of anything Al does - in fact there are plenty of songs he's released that I strongly dislike, but this one I think was a pretty cool project, if nothing else.

Finally, I want to say as strongly as possible - there is absolutely nothing wrong with anyone liking or disliking this song for any reason. If you think the song sucks, no one should criticize you for that. If you think the song is great only because it's related to Weird Al, there's nothing wrong with that either. We are a very diverse group of people as a community and we should all be respectful of each other, especially if someone wants to be brave enough to come out saying they dislike a new project. We went through this once with "Whatever You Like" and I don't see any reason to go through it again.

Post by **ludovica64** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:13 pm

I just submitted a review to CDBaby. I hope it gets approved.

"A potted history of the four remarkable musicians enslaved by "Weird Al" Yankovic for the last 27 years, set to an insane tune that will worm its way in your ear and claim squatters rights there, this song was written as a tribute to the fans, and is determinedly un-commercial, the intention being to celebrate their collective and eclectic musical history together.

The four; Stephen Jay, Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz, Jim Kimo West and Rubén Valtierra have each brought a little of their diverse musical interests to the record, with the result that it has a very democratic "World Music" feel, much along the lines of Steve's solo projects.

This is not the record most people would have expected Al's Band to put out as their first autonomous release I suppose, as it is largely looking back over their careers, but having been assured that there is more to come from this band, and as I already know they are one of the most versatile and tight rock bands in the world, I feel certain that there is an enormous amount of potential there waiting to be developed.

I for one can't wait to hear more, and am prepared to be as challenged and surprised as I was by this manic little ditty. It's really something when a band that have been together this long can really come out with something as novel and different as "Al's Band". The instrumental version is great too."

Edit: ....and thank you Maria and Vikki for some very wise words there

Post by **algonacchick** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:19 pm

What a great review, Louise! You're really good with words. I'm sure when they see your review, they'll be flattered and pleased. Thanks for posting it here.

Post by **ludovica64** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:27 pm

algonacchick @ November 19, 2008 12:19 pm wrote: What a great review, Louise! You're really good with words. I'm sure when they see your review, they'll be flattered and pleased. Thanks for posting it here.

Thank you Patti. I appreciate that.

Post by **AlejandraDD** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 4:07 pm

Aha! I realized what it is that bothers me about the song: that there's an instrument playing the main melody on top of the singing. Usually, you're supposed to sing the main melody, and the instruments play something else, as the accompaniment. Here it's kinda crashing.

But, on the other hand, the instruments playing the main melody it's the reason why we like the instrumental so much.

Heh, do you think we can convince the guys to redo the mix of the song for us?

HappyGilmore · Post by **HappyGilmore** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 4:48 pm

Kristine @ November 19, 2008 04:34 am wrote: HAHAHAHAHAHA. Very funny.

Why didn't you guys like it?? You all need to spend more time listening to that style of music to appreciate it. Also, spend some time writing lyrics and you'll get a better sense of the skills required to get the point across in meter and rhyme.

For you guys that had trouble hearing the lyrics... listen to it with the lyrics up on your screen!! That's what I did. They put them on the site, use them! I know, novel concept, isn't it? MUCH funnier with one less thing to worry about. Just read as they sing.

Shouldn't the point of having lyrics be to actually, you know, understand them when sung, as opposed to having to strain your ears to hear them? What about people who may be visually impaired and can't actually read them?

Just saying, is all.

Again, it's an okay first effort, but in all, it didn't live up to my expectation.

Post by **BabyBoolie27** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 5:12 pm

WOW Louise! I have always been impressed with your choice of words when writing your post, and that review was excelllent. Very thoughtful and full of insight! I am sure CD Baby will accept it! You are one intellegent lady, but then you ARE an Al fan...

And now we have a new band to obssess over!

Thanks Al's Band can't wait to hear more from you guys!