Hanging 27: Taco Surfing

Post by **Jigawatt** » Thu Aug 14, 2003 5:11 pm

QUOTE The facts are all in his review. It just takes a little digging to see the bottom line in this case. Al \"[filled] a 7,000-seat amphitheatre with screaming fans\" who \"knew every single word of the Yankovic lyrics.\" He saw that as a bad thing. To me, I see 7,000 happy fans, and that makes Al's performance that night successful.

Exactly--this reviewer pretty much put a negative spin on everything possible. The one thing that I would say isn't based in fact is:

QUOTE But he either hasn't figured out, or doesn't care, that the vast majority of his fans just want to hear his parodies of popular songs.

That's nonsense. Was there an overall better reaction to the parodies than the originals? Probably, yeah. But to say the *vast majority of his fans* don't care about the original songs is complete cow dung.

Adrian (who's more of an off-white)

Post by **stupidsurgeon27** » Thu Aug 14, 2003 5:20 pm

Well, that was a negative review to say the least. The guy needs to lighten up a bit. I think I'll go re-read the good review from earlier.

QUOTE That review seems like it was comparing us to the people who go the Star Trek conventions.

I go to Trekkie conventions...whenever I can.

-CindyBob

Post by **Kevbo1987** » Thu Aug 14, 2003 5:25 pm

No offense meant to you stupidsurgeon27. I was just upset because the reviewer seemed to think we were freaks. I didn't like the review in the slightest, and I wondered what the reviewer meant by saying that Al should get out while he still can, and then went on to say, "If tonight was any indication, maybe he's already thinking about it." What does he mean by that? I, for one, have not seen one indication that Al is pondering "getting out".

Post by **scottidog** » Thu Aug 14, 2003 5:49 pm

I haven't read the article yet. But going from the reaction posts, I have one question:

Al filled a 7,000 seat stadium? That's pretty darn good! Is that an average Yanko-venue? SLO was probably closer to 1,500 seats, and it was sold out.

From what I'm reading, Al's doing pretty good this tour. Seems there are a lot of sell-outs.

Way to go, Alfie!

Post by **Elvis** » Thu Aug 14, 2003 6:03 pm

QUOTE Al filled a 7,000 seat stadium? That's pretty darn good! Is that an average Yanko-venue?

It's not a stadium. It's a giant outdoor covered stage. The seats are covered as well. The lawn area isn't.

No, it's not a normal Yanko-venue. It's usually reserved for the really big names. It's probably the biggest place he's played in. I didn't count seats, but I'll take their word that there's at least 7,000. It's big. It's huge. It's colossal. And yes, all 7,000 seats were full. There's also plenty of bring-your-own-blanket-or-chair lawn seating available there, which wasn't used, so "filled the venue," no, but "filled the seats," yeah.

Dave

Manda · Post by **Manda** » Thu Aug 14, 2003 7:11 pm

I havent read this review yet. But to me its just one reviewer who doesent like Weird Al we all know hes not the first. So I think it should roll off our backs. Personally I don't believe that Weird Al fans are cultish.

Post by **stupidsurgeon27** » Thu Aug 14, 2003 10:54 pm

That didn't register in my brain til Scotti pointed it out. A sold out show of 7000? That is good! Go, Al! The Starlight Theater at KC is a bit bigger than that, but it had a ton of seats still open.

-CindyBob

Manda · Post by **Manda** » Thu Aug 14, 2003 11:50 pm

I think its cool when sales out.

And about that interview were he made political statements, I don't think he was being serious, I think he was being sarcastic and not really giving his real opinion. I don't believe Al would go and say things like that even though he has a right to.

The Sporkman · Post by **The Sporkman** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 4:54 am

I really didn't feel insulted by the review; I was more astonished and fascinated by the pessimistic, cynical, non-fan perspective. I had never before conceived that the magical, whimsical, joyous event of an Al concert could possibly be interpreted in that negative manner. I almost have sympathy for the reviewer because of his inability to even remotely comprehend the experience the way we, the fans, do.

Post by **scottidog** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 5:08 am

QUOTE I really didn't feel insulted by the review; I was more astonished and fascinated by the pessimistic, cynical, non-fan perspective.

No kidding.

QUOTE It's not easy to segue from Dire Straits to Nirvana to Michael Jackson in a three-minute span, and it didn't sound easy, either.

Did Al put MFN, and SLN into the Medley? Or was this guy too busy picking nits to pay attention to details like the actual setlist? Even in my Al induced haze I remember that those were full songs. Sheesh.

QUOTE The energetic polka set an appropriately irreverent mood and was a good way to start the show, but the buzz proved short-lived when this opener was followed by a series of tedious original songs.

Our reviewer obviously doesn't know the difference between the casuAL fans and the fanaticAL fans.

Tedious originals, indeed. Sigh. Oh well, I guess this can be filed under Silver Linings. At least the reviewer realized that Al does do originals.

Bonus points to the reviewer for actually doing a little homework over at The Mothership.