The Future of Weird Al Releases

[anthontherun]

I totally get releasing parodies when they're more timely, but I think the success of MF and #8days8videos really displays how a Weird Al album is still an event. Not that I'm opposed to seeing new material more often, but I feel like the Internet at large is going to get behind a week-long celebration every 3-4 years more than they will one new parody every six months or so. (And originals released on their own without the support of some parodies will probably have no traction outside the hardcore fanbase.) And as WWW pointed out, I feel like in the long run this is going to lead to less material overall. Not that I begrudge Al if he wanted to slow it down, but he's 35 years into his career and at the top of his game. I can't think of anyone in any field that I could say the same about.

And there are pros and cons to releasing one song at a time--I think it's easier to be hyper-critical that way, and some songs just work better in the context of an album. There's no way a song like "Mission Statement" could be released on its own. It has plenty of fans, but even if you appreciate the joke, if it's the only Al song released after a couple months of silence, I'd initially be pretty underwhelmed. Even "Foil" works better as an album track (at least, when you take the video out of the equation), because it's both really random and short. If it were just an individual single, I'd be more like, "Wow, that just...ended. Ok."

[Mystik Tomato]

And there are pros and cons to releasing one song at a time--I think it's easier to be hyper-critical that way, and some songs just work better in the context of an album. There's no way a song like "Mission Statement" could be released on its own. It has plenty of fans, but even if you appreciate the joke, if it's the only Al song released after a couple months of silence, I'd initially be pretty underwhelmed. Even "Foil" works better as an album track (at least, when you take the video out of the equation), because it's both really random and short. If it were just an individual single, I'd be more like, "Wow, that just...ended. Ok."

Case in point; Whatever You Like.

I initally hated it, and I still think it's one of the weaker songs Al's released, but it certainly works better within the context of the album than as a standalone.

[Skippy]

I initally hated it, and I still think it's one of the weaker songs Al's released, but it certainly works better within the context of the album than as a standalone.

I don't really see how. The song was pointing out how ridiculous it was for T.I (and fans of the song) to celebrate excess during a massive economic downturn. Getting it out when the original was still popular made the joke crystal clear. In fact, I don't even really see how Al's albums have a "context" at all. They are all individual comedy songs. Sometimes there's a good flow, but that's entirely dependent on the sequencing and musical styles used.

Also, I don't think WYL is weak at all. I think it's hilarious. Besides just being a parody of T.I.'s song, it's a parody of every rap anthem of personal wealth (and there are plenty.)

[Wolfman]

I think WYL is under-appreciated because of the fact that it was already old news by the time the album came out, but lyrically it stands as a solid parody and has grown to become my favorite on the album. CIA and TMZ are strong parodies, but some of the lines in those seem a little contrived, like Al was trying to force the concept to fit the original song. In contrast, every line of WYL works and as Skippy points out, it did a fantastic job of spoofing the culture of excess.

[anthontherun]

I don't mean context in that there's a unifying theme among the songs, but certain tracks don't necessarily stand on their own as well as others for any number of reasons (they're short; the humor is more subtle; etc.) and it's easier to appreciate them when there's 11 other funny songs surrounding them. When SOL came out, nobody was very impressed with "Do I Creep You Out" but it wasn't a big deal because we had the rest of the album. But while it never became a favorite of mine, my appreciation for the song grew with constant listens to SOL and I kind of enjoy it now. But have I ever said to myself, "Man, I'm in the mood to hear DICYO right now"? No.

Let's face it; "Inactive" wouldn't be any funnier or more clever if it were released when "Radioactive" was at its peak. If that had been an individual Internet Leak, it would have been torn to shreds. As of now, though, it just sits there as the least-discussed track from MF because we're too busy enjoying the rest of the album and it will probably eventually get to that point where I at least appreciate hearing it between "Mission Statement" and "First World Problems." Even "Mission Statement," a song I really enjoy, works better for me when it's surrounded by more overtly hilarious songs.

[TMBJon]

I think that the real world implications of the phenomenon you describe is that Al will be crafting more songs that do stand on their own in the future. We may get fewer songs per year, but each one will be of a higher quality. I can't imagine that Al would release a song like Inactive or Do I Creep You Out as a standalone single. What would be the point?

[KingMixer]

I'm really bummed that there won't be any more Al CDs.

Firstly, sound quality. Not only do CDs sound better than mp3s in general, Al's CDs sound REALLY good. The mp3s will pale by comparison.

Secondly, we're losing the polka medleys. On Al's recent AMA, he said that NTWICP will be the last medley we'll get, aside from maybe doing new ones in concert only. I know he attributed that to the tons of paperwork for his manager, but if that were true, he could've stopped anytime before now. He knows his fans love and expect a polka on every CD, but now that he's not doing them anymore, it's an easy excuse to get rid of them.

And thirdly, what's going to happen to Al's originals? They're going to go away, that's what. Let's face it: us diehards will buy anything Al puts out. But "the masses" (and Al wouldn't be "AL" without the masses - diehards only don't pay for a house in California and vacations in Hawaii) really only care about the parodies. So if he releases his songs one at time, do you really think "the masses" will buy something like "My Own Eyes" or "Jackson Park Express?" I don't. If the originals come along with four or five parodies on a CD, everybody says "OK, fine." But I really don't think his originals will sell on their own. Which means Al will eventually stop doing them.

Am I being too negative? I don't know, maybe. Maybe it's 'cause I'm probably older than most here and I prefer CDs to mp3s. And I understand why Al thinks this is the best way to move forward, but I just think there's a lot of negatives to the decision that I guess I'm not happy with.

Having said all that, I'll still be buying all the music AL puts out, whatever form it may take.

OK. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest.

[mellow weasel]

And thirdly, what's going to happen to Al's originals? They're going to go away, that's what. Let's face it: us diehards will buy anything Al puts out. But "the masses" (and Al wouldn't be "AL" without the masses - diehards only don't pay for a house in California and vacations in Hawaii) really only care about the parodies. So if he releases his songs one at time, do you really think "the masses" will buy something like "My Own Eyes" or "Jackson Park Express?" I don't. If the originals come along with four or five parodies on a CD, everybody says "OK, fine." But I really don't think his originals will sell on their own. Which means Al will eventually stop doing them.

I really hope you're wrong about this one . I think that people who doesn't know/don't care about his originals aren't buying his albums anyway. They just watch the videos on youtube when they come out once or twice and move on. Maybe I'm wrong, I know nothing about people's music buying behaviour these days. Not sure if I even know anyone who does that

[Skippy]

I don't mean context in that there's a unifying theme among the songs, but certain tracks don't necessarily stand on their own as well as others for any number of reasons (they're short; the humor is more subtle; etc.) and it's easier to appreciate them when there's 11 other funny songs surrounding them.

I guess this is the problem I have with the concept. I don't really experience this, although I have noticed others here describing it. If I'm listening to Alapalooza, I'm going to skip most of the songs, because I don't like them for whatever reason. "Jurassic Park" doesn't get more bearable because "Young, Dumb & Ugly" comes after it; it gets skipped.

When SOL came out, nobody was very impressed with "Do I Creep You Out"

I was. I love that song.

But while it never became a favorite of mine, my appreciation for the song grew with constant listens to SOL and I kind of enjoy it now.

But the song itself didn't change. It was just an acquired taste for you (and many others, I guess.) Now, I get why this becomes an issue when it's just a single song, but here's the beauty of 2014: You stick that song on your Zune or whatever, put it on shuffle and listen to it when it comes up, in between two other songs you like. Same deal as before. Better really.

Let's face it; "Inactive" wouldn't be any funnier or more clever if it were released when "Radioactive" was at its peak.

Actually, I disagree. Most of the complaints about it here have been that it has some good jokes but it just feels like every other "Inactive" song on YouTube. If it had beaten those amateur versions to our ears, it might have seemed fresher and funnier. It also helps if we hear a parody as close to that moment that we become sick of a song as possible. It doesn't mean it's going to be that funny in five years, but immediately, it will be able to tap into that overexposure backlash.

If that had been an individual Internet Leak, it would have been torn to shreds.

Maybe. But it also would have likely had a video to go with it (I can't imagine that Al won't do at least quickie vids for everything now after the success of 8 Days) so who knows what the reaction would have been?

[TMBJon]

There's no reason to think originals will go away. They would fit in perfectly on EPs, as Al has described is one way he may release stuff in the future. Perhaps he will record a couple style parodies and store them away until he has two parodies recorded and then release the four songs together as an EP.
I also think that with the right music video (one that directly parodies music videos by the original artist), a style parody could be as big a hit for Al as a true parody.