Flight of the Conchords soars to new heights
New Zealand duo brings musical humor to the States
By Patrick Flajole
Issue date: 5/15/08 Section: Scene
Originally published: 5/15/08 at 11:18 AM PSTLast update: 5/15/08 at 12:16 PM PST
Elaborately dramatized everyday situations, sexual undertones, pop culture references and acoustic guitar duets meld into the distinctive sound of the first full-length album from New Zealand's Flight of the Conchords.
The self-titled release features tracks which have been adapted or taken directly from their HBO series, "Flight of the Conchords."
The album is about fictionalized versions of real-life band members Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, together known as The Flight of the Conchords, a couple of New Zealanders trying to make it big in New York.
It follows their maladroit endeavors -- trivial as they are -- and presents witty commentary on American culture.
The series primarily deals with McKenzie and Clement's struggles to obtain success as a band, while also exploring the issues of unemployment, love and racism.
In one of the album's more popular tracks, "Business Time," the duo suggests that "makin' love" is a weekly activity.
They humorously romanticize the contrived situation by describing the acts leading up to foreplay as they sing, "Next thing you know we're in the bedroom. You're wearin' that baggy old ugly T-shirt you got from your work several years ago â?¦ Mmmm, you know the one, baby."
Clement continues to paint the picture of himself clumsily tripping over his pants while stripping down to just his socks.
The idea of a comedic musical duo is certainly not new to the stand-up scene.
In fact, there's nothing original about playing acoustic guitars and singing about salacious subject matters -- Jack Black's band, Tenacious D, has already mastered that avenue.
What makes these guys particularly exceptional is their chemistry.
Although it is more evident in their stand-up routine on the HBO series, a hint of their ability to work off of one another is apparent in the album as well.
For instance, the track that they consider to be a "gangster-folk crossover," "Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros," is a rap-battle in which McKenzie and Clement discuss the quality of their rhymes while acting in hip-hop personas.
Mckenzie starts the track with, "I'm not just wild, I'm trained / domesticated / I was raised by a rapper and rhino that dated / and subsequently procreated," to which Clement responds, "My rhymes are so potent that in this small segment / I made all of the ladies in the area pregnant. / Yes, sometimes my lyrics are sexist, / but you lovely bitches and hoes should know I'm trying to correct this."
To say that the 15 tracks are imaginative is an understatement. Every track unfolds into an intricate story composed of clever details and inventive remarks about pop culture.
Because of the large number of 80s references, the music is particularly funny for the well-versed listener.
One of their more accessible references is the song titled "Bowie," which makes a mockery of the flamboyant David Bowie.
Mckenzie and Clement impersonate his voice, sample a few of his more popular songs and integrate a few of his famous quotes.
Flight of the Conchords is also on tour and will be performing throughout the Bay Area at the end of this month.
Grade: B+
Contact Patrick Flajole at (408) 551-1918 or pflajole@scu.edu.
The self-titled release features tracks which have been adapted or taken directly from their HBO series, "Flight of the Conchords."
The album is about fictionalized versions of real-life band members Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, together known as The Flight of the Conchords, a couple of New Zealanders trying to make it big in New York.
It follows their maladroit endeavors -- trivial as they are -- and presents witty commentary on American culture.
The series primarily deals with McKenzie and Clement's struggles to obtain success as a band, while also exploring the issues of unemployment, love and racism.
In one of the album's more popular tracks, "Business Time," the duo suggests that "makin' love" is a weekly activity.
They humorously romanticize the contrived situation by describing the acts leading up to foreplay as they sing, "Next thing you know we're in the bedroom. You're wearin' that baggy old ugly T-shirt you got from your work several years ago â?¦ Mmmm, you know the one, baby."
Clement continues to paint the picture of himself clumsily tripping over his pants while stripping down to just his socks.
The idea of a comedic musical duo is certainly not new to the stand-up scene.
In fact, there's nothing original about playing acoustic guitars and singing about salacious subject matters -- Jack Black's band, Tenacious D, has already mastered that avenue.
What makes these guys particularly exceptional is their chemistry.
Although it is more evident in their stand-up routine on the HBO series, a hint of their ability to work off of one another is apparent in the album as well.
For instance, the track that they consider to be a "gangster-folk crossover," "Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros," is a rap-battle in which McKenzie and Clement discuss the quality of their rhymes while acting in hip-hop personas.
Mckenzie starts the track with, "I'm not just wild, I'm trained / domesticated / I was raised by a rapper and rhino that dated / and subsequently procreated," to which Clement responds, "My rhymes are so potent that in this small segment / I made all of the ladies in the area pregnant. / Yes, sometimes my lyrics are sexist, / but you lovely bitches and hoes should know I'm trying to correct this."
To say that the 15 tracks are imaginative is an understatement. Every track unfolds into an intricate story composed of clever details and inventive remarks about pop culture.
Because of the large number of 80s references, the music is particularly funny for the well-versed listener.
One of their more accessible references is the song titled "Bowie," which makes a mockery of the flamboyant David Bowie.
Mckenzie and Clement impersonate his voice, sample a few of his more popular songs and integrate a few of his famous quotes.
Flight of the Conchords is also on tour and will be performing throughout the Bay Area at the end of this month.
Grade: B+
Contact Patrick Flajole at (408) 551-1918 or pflajole@scu.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Aitor Zabalegui
posted 9/25/08 @ 2:06 PM PST
High-five on the review, buddy.
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