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Epitaph Records -- Millencolin

Two years ago I came home late one night, turned on the television, and sat back on the couch. There was nothing in particular that I planned on watching; I just intended to fill my head with some sort of brain cell-destroying media info before falling to sleep. After flipping through the channels for a bit I came to HBO and saw that an episode of One Night Stand was about to come on. I remained watching the channel. The performers for this episode were some musical-comedy group I’d never heard of that billed themselves “Formerly New Zealand’s fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo a capella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo.”

I watched. I laughed. I laughed a lot.

Flash forward to 2008 and the same group now has a hit HBO show bring them much acclaim and their first, self-titled,full-length on Sub Pop. A followup to their Grammy-winning 2007 EP, The Distant Future, Flight of the Conchords expand on their normally acoustic sound to provide the soundtrack for their hit show. With the help of producer Mickey Petralia, famous for producing Beck’s under-appreciated 1999 album Midnite Vultures, Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement take the folk-by-way-of-hip-hop sound that they’re known for and expand it to full-band 1970s soft rock love jams.

Full of slow bass grooves and subtle (but not too subtle) synthesizers, Flight of the Conchords, strangely enough, channel Barry White -- whom they thank in their liner notes -- to provide a passionate comedy-groove album. Their slick, smooth white man R&B mixed with humorous, smart lyrics provides a unique and original sound that no one else can duplicate. Along they way they also dabble with old-school hip-hop, reggae, indie and Britpop, and give tribute to David Bowie.

While the songs are all executed perfectly, something seems slightly off with the album. Part of the charm of Flight of the Conchords is seeing them perform their songs. They are a comedy act, and the acting portion of their comedy is just as important as the music. For example, the song “Hiphopopatums vs. Rhymenoceros” doesn’t seem to sparkle as much as when you see Bret and Jemaine perform the song. The awkward, self-delusional performance that they give off on-stage is lost at certain points on the record.

Despite its flaws, Flight of the Conchords shines as a musical-comedy record that you can’t help but bob your head to and laugh at the same time. It’s a record for all those romantics out there that realize that humor is the best aphrodisiac, plus slow bass grooves and a capella breakdowns -- the perfect combination for love.



People who liked this also liked:
Enemy You - Stories Never ToldAnd You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead - Source Tags and CodesVaux - There Must Be Some Way To Stop ThemAt The Drive-In - Relationship Of CommandThe Strokes - First Impressions of EarthSilverstein - Arrivals & DeparturesPixies - Wave of Mutilation: Best OfGreen Day - InsomniacBlink 182 - Enema of the StateMinutemen - Double Nickels on the Dime



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    Posted by wentz_equals_death on 2008-05-05 13:17:52

    i hate these buggers

    Posted by Jay3313 on 2008-05-05 12:45:19

    Tenacious D is over the top, loud and abrasive.

    None of those descriptions fit the Conchords at all.

    Premise might be similar (goofy band), but execution eliminates any comparisons.

    Posted by 24HourPriapism on 2008-05-05 10:16:19
    My Score:

    is it just me, or isn't this just an updated, "trendier" version of what Tenacious D were doing about 10 years ago?

    Posted by LeightonESmith on 2008-05-05 03:40:33

    "If you're into it" and "Bret you've got it going on" - aren't in it?? DAMN!
    I have been addicted to watching these guys songs on youtube. As cool if not cooler than Tenacious D.

    Posted by xmystax on 2008-05-04 10:42:57
    My Score:

    kind a funny just not really for me

    Posted by Jesus_H_Christ on 2008-05-03 10:02:20
    My Score:

    This review is so hot it's making me sexist.

    bitch.

    Posted by jacknife737 on 2008-05-03 02:07:30

    the show is just about the best thing on tv these days, i guess i'll have to pick this up.

    Posted by holy_balls on 2008-05-03 02:05:15

    i have never heard anything from them. i guess i am not hip. damn

    Posted by istapledmyfoot on 2008-05-03 00:36:13

    the songs are mostly funnier on the show (except for a few) but being able to rock hi-fi versions of this shit in the car is absolutely sublime.

    Posted by cheesetits on 2008-05-02 23:47:13
    My Score:

    I love these guys so much that I would not fuck them and just savor the teasing.

    Posted by damnitsderek on 2008-05-02 23:46:09

    I'm with most everyone else below me, the music is much funnier when being listened to on the show, which is golden, by the way.

    Posted by allison_le_gnome on 2008-05-02 23:28:31

    I have the EP (it cost less money than it saved me for shipping on Amazon) and I never really listen to it so I probably won't get this, even though I'm a big fan of the show.

    Posted by fattony on 2008-05-02 21:37:44
    My Score:

    Score's for an inexplicable lack of "Bret, You've Got It Goin' On."

    Posted by niveK82 on 2008-05-02 20:14:04

    I know it was on the EP, but so was 'Business Time' and thats on this one too.

    Posted by niveK82 on 2008-05-02 20:07:44

    Why isnt 'If You're Into It' on this album?

    Posted by Hey_ska on 2008-05-02 20:02:30

    I think the show makes these songs way funnier. Also Bret and Jermaine's humor.

    Posted by thatsyouth on 2008-05-02 19:40:18
    My Score:

    im being 100% honest. i wouldn't care for any of their music had it not been for the show. i know a lot of people that say the show ruins it or try to take that attitude that ur not a real fan if you found them on the HBO series.

    but i dont care. score is for mel.

    Posted by the_problem_with_fire on 2008-05-02 18:50:17

    i don't get what's funny about these guys.

    Posted by canaandrumzz on 2008-05-02 17:39:31

    I read that this was the biggest debut sales that sub-pop hasever seen. Good for them.

    Posted by sugarfull on 2008-05-02 17:10:34
    My Score:

    Funny stuff, but the rap parts were kind of too corny for me.