World of Weird Al Yankovic

barglenawdlezouzman @ July 14, 2009 03:40 am wrote: i just read some of the myspace comments....

I didn't want to engage in any futile slanging matches, so I just at the ones that slammed SD for not sounding enough like the original. Pfft. Al could put out original songs for ANOTHER thirty years and some people would still not realize that he actually does do that.

most teens on myspace are like that i guess, the only song they can appreciate are songs like white and nerdy that are parodies of "popular"

music

I'm very excited to hear Skipper Dan on tour next year. The instrument work and vocals are too good to just slide into the medley. I can't see him doing a full costume change but rather put the hat on. He could even put the hat on during the first chorus.

Those comments are like my facebook friends' (notanyofyoupeople) activity on Facebook but with intentional mean-ness and things.

Musically it's very good, but as far as the lyrics to, it's just not that funny. I haven't been to Disney in over 8 years, so maybe it's funnier to people who go more frequently, but I just don't see how this is an amusing subject matter for a song. Maybe album 13 will be some brilliant masterpiece when it's all finished, but as it stands, the first three track so far have colored me disappointed.

Does anyone think it's possible that Al may simply be finding it more difficult to continue to write new material that is consistently funny? By the time Album 13 comes out, it will be the longest gap between albums we've seen in a very long time, and obviously Al has had his family, and side projects in between, but even with those things, it has been an unusually quiet year or so from Al. Writing consistently funny parodies is obviously difficult work, even for a seasoned veteran like Al, but does anyone else think that the fact that most mainstream artists are flashes in the pans, and top 40 hits end up being little more than flavors of the month that quickly disappear, has made it seemingly impossible for Al to keep up while still staying relevant? It's almost gotten to the point where Al would have to have to have a crystal ball just to keep up with mainstream popular culture, so it must be very difficult. I'm certainly know that Al is capable of delivering another great album, but it's these things that are out of his control and make it difficult for artists like Al to remain relevant that make me pessimistic.

I also get the feeling from the first three (Particularly the last 2) tracks released, that Al has reached the point in his career where he wants to write music that may not necessarily appeal to his usual fan base, but more accurately reflect his musical tastes and interests. Mosts artists are wary of trying new concepts and straying too far from their roots, early in their career, out of fear that they will turn away their fans. Once they enter the later stages of their career, they are more willing to stray away from the usual conventions, even if it comes at the expense of mass appeal, and try new things, new sounds, new ideas, and I think that's what we're going to see a lot of on this album. While many of us may be disappointed at the lack of non-stop laugh out loud tracks, as fans we should be able to appreciate Al and the band for their talents as musicians, and not just as parody artists.

I couldn't disagree with you more, spmahn. I think each song has gotten better as he's released them. I'm looking very forward to the next two releases.

Just bought a digital copy of the single! =D

Cool! I may have to wait a bit before I buy my copy.

I don't disagree on saying Al is finding his own thing now instead of doing what people expected ("Girls just wanna have lunch" much?). But, as opposed to you, I'm not disappointed with that.

I do agree with Patti when she says each song has gotten better. Maybe it's because I haven't been a fan as long as everyone else, but IMHO, SOL is Al's best album yet, soon to be surpassed by the still-too-far-away ALbum 13.

spmahn @ July 13, 2009 09:04 pm wrote: Musically it's very good, but as far as the lyrics to, it's just not that funny. I haven't been to Disney in over 8 years, so maybe it's funnier to people who go more frequently, but I just don't see how this is an amusing subject matter for a song.

The song isn't about Disney. Or the Jungle Theme Park (or whatever it's called.) It's about a man's life. I agree it's not Al's typical "funny" song, but that doesn't make it bad. I actually think the song's kinda sad. As others have said, it's a departure. I'll have to marinate with it longer to have a solid opinion.

Maybe album 13 will be some brilliant masterpiece when it's all finished, but as it stands, the first three track so far have colored me disappointed.

And that's another reason I don't like the dribbling out of the songs. It makes each song have to stand on its own when it should be part of a larger whole. IMO.

Does anyone think it's possible that Al may simply be finding it more difficult to continue to write new material that is consistently funny?

Blah, blah, blah.... that review has been written for every album since the self titled album. It's boring. And it's not true.

While many of us may be disappointed at the lack of non-stop laugh out loud tracks, as fans we should be able to appreciate Al and the band for their talents as musicians, and not just as parody artists.

Speak for yourself about being disappointed. But I do agree with your last statement. Our guys are primo musicians.