Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 3:52 am
I finally managed to find a copy of SOL down here in NZ, so i'll review it.
Front cover: This is interesting. Unlike RWS and PH, there is no actual joke on the cover. I mean PH's cover had me cracking up for days. But SOL's cover looks cool, so it gets points for that. 7/10
Liner notes: Yay! A proper booklet! Great photography and stuff. 10/10
Pre-track: "You're Pitiful" - Pretty funny, however, it hit its high point right at the beginning with the comments on Blunt's false start. Some of the jokes just aren't that funny. Still good. 7/10
1. "White & Nerdy" - This parody, in my opinion isn't *that* good. But it makes a great single, because it hits home with Al's target audience - principally males aged 12-30. And it does have a few pretty funny jokes. 6/10
2. "Pancreas" - It doesn't really contain any jokes. Musically, it's great. But that's not what we're looking at. 5/10
3. "Canadian Idiot" - A clever satire on American views of Canadians. This song doesn't target Canadians - it targets Americans. Gets better on repeat listens. Particularly good for non-Americans. 8/10
4. "I'll Sue Ya" - A good satire of American sue culture. Very funny RATM pastiche. 8/10
5. "Polkarama!" - This is one of the funniest polkas ever. The arrogant and 'sexy' "Candy Shop" set to the jubliant polka music was particularly funny. 7/10
6. "Virus Alert" - Very musically appealling, and this was the first song that made me laugh out loud. Random, impossible effects of a virus make for a very funny song. 8/10
7. "Confessions Part III" - This is a great parody, picking holes in R&B and rap sequels. The short summary of the plot of parts I & II is brilliant. 9/10
8. "Do I Creep You Out" - This is good in its contrary lyrics and melody. The heartfelt melody and stalker lyrics are great. 7/10
9. "Weasel Stomping Day" - Short, sweet and sort-of funny. 5/10
10. "Close But No Cigar" - Catchy. Very funny metaphors and stuff. 8/10.
11. "Trapped In The Drive-Thru" - Brilliant take-off of the overblown drama and ridiculous style and plot of the R. Kelly song. Pure genius. 10/10
12. "Don't Download This Song" - The strongest original on the album, and some of Al's best work. A stunning satire of 'download culture'. 10/10
The videos:
White And Nerdy: One of Al's best videos. Up there with "Fat", "SLN" and "UHF". 10/10
Don't Download This Song: Nice style and overblown consequences to match the song's tone. 9/10
I'll Sue Ya: Cool video. Nice style and hidden jokes. (Like "Arm The Lawyers" on the guitar). Best video on the DVD. 10/10
Weasle Stomping Day: Good animation, pretty funny. 7/10
Virus Alert: Yeah, it's alright... 6/10
Close, But No Cigar: Cool style, but a little vulgar in parts. 7/10
Pancreas: Strange. Compared to JIm Blashfield's other stuff, this is pretty awful. 3/10
Do I Creep You Out?: Cool realistic animation style, good Al-ish video jokes. 9/10
Overall: It's one of my favorite albums. It goes something like this: EW, closely followed by OTDE, followed by SOL, closely followed by In 3-D, then BHD.
Front cover: This is interesting. Unlike RWS and PH, there is no actual joke on the cover. I mean PH's cover had me cracking up for days. But SOL's cover looks cool, so it gets points for that. 7/10
Liner notes: Yay! A proper booklet! Great photography and stuff. 10/10
Pre-track: "You're Pitiful" - Pretty funny, however, it hit its high point right at the beginning with the comments on Blunt's false start. Some of the jokes just aren't that funny. Still good. 7/10
1. "White & Nerdy" - This parody, in my opinion isn't *that* good. But it makes a great single, because it hits home with Al's target audience - principally males aged 12-30. And it does have a few pretty funny jokes. 6/10
2. "Pancreas" - It doesn't really contain any jokes. Musically, it's great. But that's not what we're looking at. 5/10
3. "Canadian Idiot" - A clever satire on American views of Canadians. This song doesn't target Canadians - it targets Americans. Gets better on repeat listens. Particularly good for non-Americans. 8/10
4. "I'll Sue Ya" - A good satire of American sue culture. Very funny RATM pastiche. 8/10
5. "Polkarama!" - This is one of the funniest polkas ever. The arrogant and 'sexy' "Candy Shop" set to the jubliant polka music was particularly funny. 7/10
6. "Virus Alert" - Very musically appealling, and this was the first song that made me laugh out loud. Random, impossible effects of a virus make for a very funny song. 8/10
7. "Confessions Part III" - This is a great parody, picking holes in R&B and rap sequels. The short summary of the plot of parts I & II is brilliant. 9/10
8. "Do I Creep You Out" - This is good in its contrary lyrics and melody. The heartfelt melody and stalker lyrics are great. 7/10
9. "Weasel Stomping Day" - Short, sweet and sort-of funny. 5/10
10. "Close But No Cigar" - Catchy. Very funny metaphors and stuff. 8/10.
11. "Trapped In The Drive-Thru" - Brilliant take-off of the overblown drama and ridiculous style and plot of the R. Kelly song. Pure genius. 10/10
12. "Don't Download This Song" - The strongest original on the album, and some of Al's best work. A stunning satire of 'download culture'. 10/10
The videos:
White And Nerdy: One of Al's best videos. Up there with "Fat", "SLN" and "UHF". 10/10
Don't Download This Song: Nice style and overblown consequences to match the song's tone. 9/10
I'll Sue Ya: Cool video. Nice style and hidden jokes. (Like "Arm The Lawyers" on the guitar). Best video on the DVD. 10/10
Weasle Stomping Day: Good animation, pretty funny. 7/10
Virus Alert: Yeah, it's alright... 6/10
Close, But No Cigar: Cool style, but a little vulgar in parts. 7/10
Pancreas: Strange. Compared to JIm Blashfield's other stuff, this is pretty awful. 3/10
Do I Creep You Out?: Cool realistic animation style, good Al-ish video jokes. 9/10
Overall: It's one of my favorite albums. It goes something like this: EW, closely followed by OTDE, followed by SOL, closely followed by In 3-D, then BHD.