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The Lonely Island

Incredibad
2009
Universal Republic

The Lonely Island - Incredibad (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Jelone
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Published on March 6th 2009

Q: If you make an album that parodies obnoxious Top 40 crunk rap but keep the sound exactly the same, what percentage of that album will still suck?

A: If the Lonely Island’s debut Incredibad is any indication, it’s about half and half. Saturday Night Live star Andy Samberg and writers Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone have been satirizing popular culture for years with Internet videos like "The ’Bu” and "Awesometown," but on Incredibad, the guys hit a wall: How do you make bad rap more ridiculous? “Who Said We’re Wack?” takes on diss tracks while “I’m on a Boat” mocks tunes about extravagance. The jokes never go beyond those titles, though, and thus never go too deep. E-40 helps the trio out on “Santana DVX,” a song about drankin’, and it helps that the song actually has a narrative with multiple jokes to throw at the listener.

While the opening tracks feel underwritten, the album picks up as it progresses into SNL material. Granted, they also give the album a slight “you’ve heard the best, here’s the rest” feel, but at least it’s something. “Lazy Sunday” (with Chris Parnell) and “Natalie’s Rap” (with Natalie Portman and Parnell) both went over well on TV, and they still stand out on Incredibad. Same goes for “Ras Trent” and “Dick in a Box,” which show a comedic depth lacking on “I’m on a Boat.” “Ras Trent” runs a gamut of Jamaican references from the obvious (“a DVD of 'Cool Runnings'!”) to the obscure (Chaka Demus’ “Murder She Wrote” and Gregory Isaacs’ “Night Nurse” both get shout-outs).

The record closes out with some lesser tunes (“Natalie’s Rap”'s hilarious violent diatribe aside). “Punch You in the Jeans” and “Space Olympics” are more title-driven sketches that fail to conjure up the mirth, while “Incredibad” is the Lonely Island origin story no one ever wanted to hear (spoiler alert: They triple-teamed a robot/alien...thingy). But while the CD is a great 20-minute comedy album burdened with another crappy 20-minute comedy album, the accompanying DVD is much more consistent. Some of the better SNL Digital Shorts show up, like “Jizz in My Pants” and “Lazy Sunday.” A couple of the Island’s online videos are available as well. “Just 2 Guyz” and “We Like Sportz” work an awkward dork-rap angle, while “Bing Bong Brothers” takes Ying Yang Twins’ “Wait (The Whisper Song)” to its most absurdist extreme (sample lyric: “I like your boobies in your shirt / Please let me show you my penis”).

In a sense, Incredibad lives up to its title; it’s tasteless and, well, bad in a lot of places, but it’ll occasionally get a chuckle. And hey, releasing “Lazy Sunday,” which aired on SNL in 2005, on a 2009 album isn't too late, right?

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Posted by deadxlast on 2009-03-10 11:05:36
My Score:

Great review, very well written, but my opinion of the album is opposite. This shit is completely played. "Jizz in my Pants" was hilarious the first 13 times I saw it, but the rest of the songs and videos are regular old stupid. No wit, no point. Worse than the Lil' John album they're making fun of.

Posted by eazyd2 on 2009-03-08 21:25:24

haha this shit is funny haha LOL.
also, mattramone you are a fuckin douche - you think pictures of cats with stupid captions are funny. You're a moron

Posted by Archangel on 2009-03-08 18:54:59

gotsmuch: Wow, nail on the head.

Posted by danielsan on 2009-03-08 18:50:44
My Score:

score's for chris parnell

Posted by steveman on 2009-03-08 17:46:39
My Score:

When separated from the videos, very few of these songs stand on their own. Aside from Lazy Sunday, I'm On A Boat and finally having and uncensored version of Natalie's rap, this album fell really flat for me. Most of the sketches are kindof driven by the videos. Well, except for Space Olympics, which just sucks either way.

Posted by leecorsoisapenis on 2009-03-08 15:42:27

"i'm on a Boat" is an amazing song. Recognize.

That said, "Dick in a Box" is stolen from Mr. Show.

Jim

Posted by jesse on 2009-03-08 14:11:45

That, my frriend, is a damn fine review.

Well crafted, sir.

Posted by batattack8 on 2009-03-08 11:37:15
My Score:

Whatever. This album is awesome. It's not very often you find funny songs that are actually rad songs beyond the jokes.

This is going to be on my best of '09 list for sure. This and Supporting Caste.

Posted by Deadpan on 2009-03-08 10:33:06
My Score:

"I'm on a Boat" is a legitimately tight song. I'd dance to that in a club even without the hilarious lyrics. Same goes for "Boombox". "Saxman" is also funky, and hilarious the first couple of times.

I dunno, I'm not sure they're trying to completely taking the piss out of the style of music they give us on this album - a fair few of the beats are legitimately good, and I get the impression they view it with a fair bit of fondness in the same way Tenacious D do to metal and rock 'n roll.

Posted by gotsmuch on 2009-03-07 18:32:30

"this song's funny. that song's not funny. blah blah blah. i'm gonna take this space to profile my sense of humor instead of writing an album review."

Posted by mike_killroad on 2009-03-07 14:46:55
My Score:

Anyone who can be this creative and funny deserves a good score.

Oh shit, Santana DVX?

Posted by givemeamuseumandillfillit on 2009-03-07 10:26:48

I'm not a fan of these guys, but this record has "On A Boat" which is one of the 2 funny things they've ever done, the other being http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_NaqjUiNUc .

That video is just fucking hilarious.

Posted by swank on 2009-03-07 08:20:20
My Score:

"Boombox" and "Like a Boss" are total jams, and no matter how simplistic or repetitive they are, I still love "I'm on a Boat" and "Jizz in my Pants". Great album.

Posted by mattramone on 2009-03-06 20:26:29

Andy Samberg can die and the world would be a better place for it.

Posted by elliot on 2009-03-06 19:25:14

"Dreamgirl" with Norah Jones is fantastic. Same with "Like a Boss."

I somehow still haven't listened to this whole thing. Maybe that would change my opinion.

Posted by fattony on 2009-03-06 18:48:12
My Score:

I'm probably in the minority, but I actually like "Punch You In The Jeans." But overall, this is a one-joke comedy album (white nerds parodying what passes for rap these days). The exclusion of "Iran So Far" is totally unforgivable too.

Posted by facetofacereunion08 on 2009-03-06 18:28:41
My Score:

i love greg isaacs. score is for referencing him

Posted by robalobadob on 2009-03-06 18:10:53
My Score:

Regardless of the lesser songs on this album (The Old Saloon, Punch You in the Jeans, and the interludes), I still think this album is fantastic. It's fun and it's catchy as hell.

It is currently my most listened to album of 2009. Although Supporting Caste is already rapidly catching up (I'm sorry, I downloaded it. I couldn't wait for my vinyl to arrive).

Posted by 24HourPriapism on 2009-03-06 18:07:17
My Score:

yeah, more than half the novelty of these songs are the accompanying videos. "I'm On A Boat" was great, but mostly because of the great video.

Posted by MrStylson on 2009-03-06 17:04:31
My Score:

Maybe you have to watch the video, but "I'm On A Boat" and "Space Olympics" are two of my favorites from this. "Like A Boss" is hilarious too. Is it repetitive at times? Yes, but that doesn't mean it isn't funny.

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