Weird Al's "Straight Outta Lynwood" (Talkback)

[Zebi]

Tonight, on his MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/weirdal), is the world premiere of the first single from Weird Al's upcoming album, Straight Outta Lynwood.

Comments?

[TheMecca]

This is the first single?
Funny, I coulda sworn it was going to be the Chamillionare parody. Hilarious song nonetheless.

[Alex Toon]

XD XD XD
God, Al is a genius! Writing a song about not illegally downloading music, then putting it for free on the Internet.
:p Can't wait for September 26!!

[K-S-O]

Wow. I can see the whole irony of this song's message.

Is this song a parody to anything? I think I might have heard it somewhere. Yeah, I haven't been keeping up with popular music the last few years so I may be lost on what Al will parody in the new album.

On Al's site it says that a new music video will premier on Yahoo tomorrow night! That sounds really cool!

[TheMecca]

The song is a style parody of USA For Africa's "We Are The World" and it sounds remarkably like the Hands Across America theme song.
EDIT: The music video will be the animated video for Don't Download This Song, as confirmed by Yahoo.

[K-S-O]

So it's an original? That's cool!

With a message like this, I wonder what kind of reaction the music industry would give it. :p

[FireStarterLE]

lol, Al is a Parody God!!!! I love this song, whats that say about the rest of the CD? --->top seller maybe? I hope so.

Dont download huh Al ..... thanks for allowing me to somehow place this song on my computer :D

Ahh, September. Please hurry and get here

[Noukon]

This is probably Al's best original song yet. Fantastic.

[Conekiller]

This is probably Al's best original song yet. Fantastic. Albuqureque still holds that honor, but it's still a great song.:D

And the irony of having to actually download the song to hear it is priceless!

[FireStarterLE]

Albuqureque still holds that honor, but it's still a great song.:D

And the irony of having to actually download the song to hear it is priceless!

11+ minutes of Al at his best right there, which is almost half of half an hour!!! A half to the second power song .... leaving now .....

[Noukon]

Albuqureque still holds that honor, but it's still a great song.:D

Damn, how could I forget about Albuquerque? I rescind my previous statement. :D

[Boy Wonder]

Genius in France struck me as funny for the same reason people hated it, and it feels longer than Albuquerque. The song "Straight Outta Lynwood" is hilarious, I can't wait for 5 weeks to pass!

[K-S-O]

New music video for "Don't Download This Song" has been posted on Yahoo! I think you have to be a Yahoo member to view it though...

http://music.yahoo.com/premieres

The video portrays a kid downloading music on his computer before getting chased by the police and landing in jail. It is pretty good.

[TheMecca]

I'll repost what I said on the Weird Al forum:
Underwhelming.
Song > Video.

[K-S-O]

The video reminded me of those simple cartoons I would see in shows like Sesame Street and stuff. I liked those when I was a kid and I kind of had the same feeling when I watched the video. It may not match well with the song but my childhood memories are making me like it. :p

[sdp]

meh, I liked the song and video. hopefully we will see a Altv special for the new album.

[J.E.Smith]

I should mention that all of the videos for this album are going to be animated. I hear John K.'s doing one of another original.

[ThePeterNetwork]

Off-topic: If it wasn't for the bad things that come from Myspace and my vow never to register for any website ever again, I would so register for this.

On-topic: The song is awesome. :D

[Terminatah]

I should mention that all of the videos for this album are going to be animated. I hear John K.'s doing one of another original.Actually, Weird Al is shooting a live action video as we speak. Remember, he put out a call for extras on his myspace page.

-Terminatah

[K-S-O]

It would have been really cool to be one of those extras but with school in the way I just couldn't.

I imagine that the upcoming video wouldn't be featured on the album since the initial six videos were already announced long before the Myspace posting.

[Craig Crumpton]

Off-topic: If it wasn't for the bad things that come from Myspace and my vow never to register for any website ever again, I would so register for this.Oh, but it's not off-topic. When in doubt, my friend, check YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C93_0L2Z9c

Gosh, I love Plymptoons. The sharks bit caught me by surprise and I laughed so hard I peed my pants a little.

[TheMecca]

I should mention that all of the videos for the original songs on the album are going to be animated. I hear John K.'s doing one of another original.
Fixed. ;)

[K-S-O]

Bump this topic because "White and Nerdy" was posted on Al's Myspace.

Also, on the latest "Ask Al" column, one of the animated music videos may appear on Robot Chicken... at least that is what I think it said.

[TnAdct1]

Also, on the latest "Ask Al" column, one of the animated music videos may appear on Robot Chicken... at least that is what I think it said. Tune in on Sept. 24 to find out if that rumor is true. ;)

[FireStarterLE]

well two songs down, and less than two weeks till the CD (dont forget "nerdy" item number 2 that comes out on the same day: Whose Line Volume 1)

White and Nerdy = A+

[K-S-O]

Tune in on Sept. 24 to find out if that rumor is true. ;)

Oh I'll watch! I may not like the show from what I've seen but I want to see the new video!

[TheMecca]

Uh ENTIRE ALBUM LEAKED. /listened to White and Nerdy before ALL YALL
And it's awesome.
Can't wait to hear it in 5.1.

[K-S-O]

So, anyone saw the "White and Nerdy" video on Al's myspace page?

[Mr. Manager]

So, anyone saw the "White and Nerdy" video on Al's myspace page?Yeah the video was funny. I laughed at the Seth Green and Donny Osmond cameos. Maybe Al will be on Robot Chicken. The top eight spaces made me laugh too.

[TheMecca]

DONNY OSMOND FTW

recapitald

[DBZALLSTAR]

I loved Al getting back at Atlantic Records in "White and nerdy" for them not letting him put "You're Pitiful" on his album, the cameos, the X-Men comics, and the Star Wars Holiday Special. Actually, I loved the entire song. It describes me perfectly. We have just one week left until Straight Outta Lynwood comes out. I can't wait.:D

[kaine23]

Just saw the video and loved it!!

[RayChuang]

I loved Al getting back at Atlantic Records in "White and nerdy" for them not letting him put "You're Pitiful" on his album, the cameos, the X-Men comics, and the Star Wars Holiday Special. Actually, I loved the entire song. It describes me perfectly. We have just one week left until Straight Outta Lynwood comes out. I can't wait.:D
I saw "White and Nerdy" and had to do this: :lol:

Funniest music video I've seen in quite a while, and his most ingenious music video since "The Saga Begins." :anime:

[Boy Wonder]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-xEzGIuY7kw

Feast your eyes on this!

[Mr. Manager]

Was anyone else laughing their head off at the scene where Al and the bubble wrap are getting freaky?

[Clayface]

Was anyone else laughing their head off at the scene where Al and the bubble wrap are getting freaky?

Yep, I sure was. I'm loving "White and Nerdy". I don't know why, but the "pop, pop" line makes me laugh like a little school girl every time I see it. The line about his action figures being cherry is too funny as well.

[Frank Castle]

As a person who thinks rap is crap, "White and Nerdy" is the greatest video of all time!:)

[Beat]

White and Nerdy- Nerdcore on a whole new level.:lol:

[Mynd Hed]

Considering how the whole gimmick of the album is its hip-hop / gangsta theme, I'm wondering whether there'll be many other similar hip-hop parodies like this. An original Weird Al hip-hop song might be interesting to hear... to my recollection, his only hip-hop songs to date have been direct parodies.

[TheMecca]

I'm wondering whether there'll be many other similar hip-hop parodies like this.
About 3.
This, Confessions Part 3, and the brilliant Trapped in the Drive Thru.

[FireStarterLE]

The big day has finally arrived, so who here took a "sick" leave to pick up this great work of art?

[The Penguin]

The big day has finally arrived, so who here took a "sick" leave to pick up this great work of art?So one could say you were "calling in sick today"? :p

[K-S-O]

Well, I didn't take sick leave but I did snag a copy. I didn't listen to it yet or checked out the music videos but I'll post again when I do.

[Mr. Manager]

I bought the CD today and I really like it.

[Conekiller]

Should we just re-name this WierdAl Yankovic: Straight Outta Lynwood [TALKBACK]?

anyway, review:

1) White and Nerdy: I was kinda annoyed by the song itself (but it's not Al's fault, it's Chamillionaire's...who ever that is) but after a couple of listens (and viewing the video on his Myspace) the song has grown on me. I think that's a fantastic feat for Al's lyrics and music video directing, he can make me tollerate crappy rap music. B+

2) Pancreas: Apparently a Beach Boys-ish style parody and a tribute to a...unique organ. Mildly amusing topic, but the catchy tune makes up for it. B-

3) Canadian Idiot: Funny parody of Green Day's "American Idiot", and in true Al fasion, the song isn't a total bash on being Canadian, he manages to turn it around a few times. C+

4) I'll Sue Ya: I'm told this is a Rage Against the Machine style parody. And of course the lyrics are drop dead hilarious and are a funny satire on our litigious society. A-

5) Polkarama!: A fun, servicable polka medley that just happens to have the 3 songs I actually liked that came out recently. B

6) Virus Alert: Seems STYX-ish to me, and that's not a bad thing in my book. Lyrics are a riot and come at you fast and furious.Tune is catchy, but Al has some troubles hitting the high register so often at times. I think this might be this album's repeat performer (like Hardware Store and Albuquerqe before it) A

7) Confessions Part III: Usher Parody. I'm not familiar with the song directly being parodied, but the lyrics help you along. What I am familiar with is the general R&B style, and in that respect, Al hits this out of the park. I've always loved Al's juxtaposition of rude lyrics sung to a soothing, realxing song. The "speaking" section in the middle is pure gold. B+

8) Weasel Stomping Day: This feels classic Al: Absurd situation, and a tribute to insane situations via upbeat/cheerful music. And it's short, so it doesn't over stay it's welcome. B-

9) Close But No Cigar: Catchy late-80-ish and this album's "Failed Love" song. He's had better, it feels like a rehash of a few other ones from previous albums. It's still better than the Eddie Vedder song , the only semi-not good song on Running With Scissors. C

10) Do I Creep You Out: Parody of a song sung by some guy called Taylor Hicks. The whole thing is kinda forgettable, but the lyrics sustain the idea of the song just fine. I think it just suffers from a song that wasn't screaming to be parodied. C-

11) Trapped in the Drive-Thru: An ingenius parody of R Kelly's recent musical narration series "Trapped in the Closet". Al masterfully narrates the minutia of a married couple's bickering and subsequent adventure in going to a fast food drive-thru. The story told is funny in the way he narrates it, but Al covered the style (honestly, I wouldn't be able to tell if the music is accurate, but the general idea is obvious) of the "song" perfectly. The only drawback is that I don't see myelf listening to this one very often. A

12) Don't Download This Song: A parody of "save the world" type songs. Again, Al plays both sides of the fence in this song, to hysterical ends. This is one that etches itself into your brain and doesn't let go for hours. A-

[silverwings]

Sadly, White and Nerdy was the only parody I liked on this album. Probably because I'm not a big rap fan and this was best beat/song of those that he parodied. :sweat:

Outside of that, Virus Alert, Weasel Stomping Day, and I'll Sue You are the only others that I really liked from this album.

Considering that I've never bought another Weird Al Album before (just the greatest hits collection), I'm not sure if that's a fair representation of what most of his albums are like...

[Mr. Manager]

I read that the "White and Nerdy" video was filmed in HD. Is MHD (MTV's HD counterpart) or another HD channel going to air this. My family's getting an HD set pretty soon.

[FireStarterLE]

So one could say you were "calling in sick today"? :p

but of course :) .... I'd would have stood in line for hours in the cold if the need arose .... drats, i should have camped outside Best Buy waiting for it to arrive :sad:

[Mr. Manager]

but of course :) .... I'd would have stood in line for hours in the cold if the need arose .... drats, i should have camped outside Best Buy waiting for it to arrive :sad:Really? There was no wait here. I just walked in to Target, went to the CDs found it after about three minutes, went to the cashier, bought an Icee and left.

[G1Ravage]

Picked it up recently...lovin' it.

[Frank Castle]

Sadly, I'm going to wait til Christmas for this one. Too much other expenses right now. Until then, I shall be listening to all his my space songs and other Al cds I own.

[K-S-O]

Well, I got to listen to my copy a few times and saw all the music videos. Here are my personal favorites:

White and Nerdy: Never thought I'd hear a rap song about nerds and love it!
I'll Sue Ya: I laughed at this because it shows how stupid people are for sueing for the most trivial of reasons.
Polkarama: I do not know any of the songs in this medly except for the one from the Gorillaz but I always enjoyed Al's polkas.
Virus Alert: I really like the catchy tune of the song.
Close But No Cigar: Same as above
Weasel Stomping Day: From the line "It's tradition so that makes it okay," I am thinking that this song pokes fun at traditions that get looked down by those outside its culture. Oh, and I just like this song.
Don't Download This Song: I loved since it was placed on Al's Myspace and I still love it now!

I'm surprised that nobody even mentioned the music videos! Is nobody watching those? Anyway, here is what I thought of them.

Don't Download This Song: Animation does not fit well with the lyrics so I did not like it that much.
I'll Sue Ya: This video follows the theme of the song pretty well. I found it funny how it portrayed a court room as a hard rock concert.
Weasel Stomping Day: I never liked Robot Chicken but this video was pretty decent.
Close But No Cigar: The women in this video look really dang ugly! In spite of that I found this to be the best of the bunch. Good animation and weird and funny expressions of the characters. And Al as a cat was really weird.
Pancreas: I do not quite get the idea behind this video. Just like Don't Download's video it doesn't match with the lyrics very well. I guess this is not the kind of song that was asking for a video.
Virus Alert: Don't care for the animation style but it was follows the song really well.

The behind the scenes video was pretty cool. It shows the process of how to make the music. Would've like to see how the parodies are done but I guess they couldn't show it for whatever reason.

It's a good CD. Definitely the kind that that has re-listening value.

[Tobias]

Is anyone else noticing that Al gets a little more daring on each album? I could have swore I heard his use the phrase 'cheap bastard' at the end of 'Don't Download This Song' as it's fading out.

[Boy Wonder]

So one could say you were "calling in sick today"? :p

I did it for the 27th time the other day, and watched "Ernest Goes to Camp".

[audiecugi]

Is anyone else noticing that Al gets a little more daring on each album? I could have swore I heard his use the phrase 'cheap bastard' at the end of 'Don't Download This Song' as it's fading out.

The last two lines I hear as the song is fading out are:

"You'll burn in hell before too long
and you desirve it."

If he says anything else after that then I am unable to hear it.

[Mynd Hed]

The last two lines I hear as the song is fading out are:

"You'll burn in hell before too long
and you desirve it."

If he says anything else after that then I am unable to hear it.

If you turn the volume up loud enough, "You cheap bastards!" is indeed pretty clearly audible after the lines you quote. It's not easily audible at normal listening levels, though, unless you know it's there and you're listening for it.

[TheMecca]

If you turn the volume up loud enough, "You cheap bastards!" is indeed pretty clearly audible after the lines you quote. It's not easily audible at normal listening levels, though, unless you know it's there and you're listening for it.
Comes in loud and clear in 5.1.

[Nightwing]

If you turn the volume up loud enough, "You cheap bastards!" is indeed pretty clearly audible after the lines you quote. It's not easily audible at normal listening levels, though, unless you know it's there and you're listening for it.

Yeah it's at the fade out there alright. I always increase the volume at the end so I can hear it. It's just absurdly hilarious.

And that's an excellent point I always think about when I listen to my Weird Albums. Over the years I've never heard Al swear in his songs. And at the opportunities when he even could, he takes a different/more creative/more classy way out.


You don't have an ounce of class!
You're just one big pain in the NECK!

That was I'm So Sick of You, off of "Bad Hair Day" from about 1996, covered by me and my not-so-hot singing voice.

Now if I could just partially channel The Tick for a moment, as I'm told I often do. I think this man and his career should be a lesson learned to the world!!! The best way to survive and live and be able to roll with the punches is with a powerful sense of humor about yourself! His career zoomed right past Michael Jackson's didn't it? Plus, most artists have just one music genre they do, but thanks to Al's drive for his sense of humor he can do any of them!

[elfwithagun]

Straight Outta Lynwood is a good album, I think. Not great. The parodies, except for Do I creep You Out which was lacking I felt, were good. The originals on the other hand, were not as good as they could have been. Pancreas felt forced, as if Al was trying to live up to his "Weird" nickname.
Overall: 7.5

[Tobias]

As long as Al was putting the six animated videos on the album, I wonder why he couldn't find room for the 'Bohemian Polka' video that was on his website. Unless he couldn't the rights to use it because it was made up pictures from 'Lost'.

[RD!]

9) Close But No Cigar: Catchy late-80-ish and this album's "Failed Love" song. He's had better, it feels like a rehash of a few other ones from previous albums. It's still better than the Eddie Vedder song , the only semi-not good song on Running With Scissors. C
Just as a note, I'm pretty sure this is a take on Cake's musical style which makes me incredibly happy.

[Tobias]

Speaking of 'Close But No Cigar',that video was a bit.... risque, even for Al's style. I realize that John K was the one who made the video, but.... wow.

[Anyone00]

http://www.bbspot.com/Images/News_Features/2006/09/nerdy/38.jpg (http://www.bbspot.com/News/2006/09/white-and-nerdy-quiz.php)
Click Here. (http://www.bbspot.com/News/2006/09/white-and-nerdy-quiz.php)

[Mr. Manager]

I'm 30 percent.

[Zorak Masaki]

Im 34%. BTW,,,White and Nerdy is VH1's top video this week! This has to be the first time weird al has even been on a video countdown, let alone being at #1!

[Chris Wood]

Im 34%. BTW,,,White and Nerdy is VH1's top video this week! This has to be the first time weird al has even been on a video countdown, let alone being at #1!

I doubt it's the first time.

[Artimus Gigan]

<a href="<A href="http://www.bbspot.com/News/2006/09/white-and-nerdy-quiz.php"><img">http://www.bbspot.com/News/2006/09/white-and-nerdy-quiz.php"><img
src="http://www.bbspot.com/Images/News_Features/2006/09/nerdy/86.jpg" width="150" height="150"
border="0" alt="You are 86% white and nerdy."><br>How White and Nerdy Are You?</a>

it says 86%

Going with the Formula of Grand Sterotypical Continuium, this greatly increases my chances of being forced to live in a location by the powers of external and narrow forces with multiple attractive members of the opposite sex which makes everyday occurances and situations humoriously awkward due to inherit naievity

[Conekiller]

Just as a note, I'm pretty sure this is a take on Cake's musical style which makes me incredibly happy.
Well, I'm not familiar with Cake, but I think I might wanna check em out if they're as catchy as this song (I still think the theme and lyrics are a bit lazy tho). A

fter a bunch of more listens I think I'm gonna update some of these ranks. "Do I creep you out" is the stand out "blah" song on the album, to the point where I forget it's there.


Speaking of 'Close But No Cigar',that video was a bit.... risque, even for Al's style. I realize that John K was the one who made the video, but.... wow.

Agreed. The flopping boobs and butt cheeks is one thing, but those melty-girls were all "dressed" quite provacatively. I'd have trouble showing this one to my younger brothers.

Where is everyon rating their White and Nerdiness?

[Mr. Manager]

Where is everyon rating their White and Nerdiness?Anyone00 put the link in his post.

[Noukon]

Well, I'm not familiar with Cake, but I think I might wanna check em out if they're as catchy as this song (I still think the theme and lyrics are a bit lazy tho). A

The funny thing about Close But No Cigar is that you could probably just swap out Weird Al for Cake's lead singer and people would easily mistake it for a real Cake song. The band is fairly absurdist anyway.

[K-S-O]

New Weird Al video was posted online. It's a music video for "Do I Creep You Out?"

http://www.jibjab.com/weird_al/do_i_creep_you_out

[TheMecca]

New Weird Al video was posted online. It's a music video for "Do I Creep You Out?"

http://www.jibjab.com/weird_al/do_i_creep_you_out
Bad song, great video.
Found a 27...

[Mr. Manager]

Al mentions on his MySpace that he is starting the tour in March, possibly in New Zealand. I really want to go. I'd love to see him in concert.

By the way, the new AL-TV is airing on December 15th on VH1 at 8 PM.

[PC!]

Nice. I find Al-TV to almost be funnier than his albums. His interview with Eminem on the last Al-TV was one of the funniest things he's ever done. XD

[Conekiller]

New Weird Al video was posted online. It's a music video for "Do I Creep You Out?"

http://www.jibjab.com/weird_al/do_i_creep_you_out

Ahhh, the worst song on the album gets much improved with a hilarious vid! thanks for the update!

[Mynd Hed]

I'm surprised to hear all the Do I Creep You Out hate. I thought it was one of the better songs on the album. I never really heard the original, but it's just such a perfect genre parody-- a good 90% of your sappy love ballads out there really ARE kind of creepy and stalkerish when you really listen to the lyrics.

[Scythemantis]

Off-topic: If it wasn't for the bad things that come from Myspace and my vow never to register for any website ever again, I would so register for this.

Don't be silly, nothing bad happens on the internet. I register for more websites than I remember to keep track of; it's harmless.

[Andrew T. Hingson]

<a href="<A href="http://www.bbspot.com/News/2006/09/white-and-nerdy-quiz.php"><img">http://www.bbspot.com/News/2006/09/white-and-nerdy-quiz.php"><img
src="http://www.bbspot.com/Images/News_Features/2006/09/nerdy/28.jpg" width="150" height="150"
border="0" alt="You are 28% white and nerdy."><br>How White and Nerdy Are You?</a>

Wow... I thought I'd be higher than 28%

[Mynd Hed]

<a href="<A href="http://www.bbspot.com/News/2006/09/white-and-nerdy-quiz.php"><img">http://www.bbspot.com/News/2006/09/white-and-nerdy-quiz.php"><img
src="http://www.bbspot.com/Images/News_Features/2006/09/nerdy/28.jpg" width="150" height="150"
border="0" alt="You are 28% white and nerdy."><br>How White and Nerdy Are You?</a>

Wow... I thought I'd be higher than 28%

How nerdy can you possibly be if you can't even copy and paste a block of HTML correctly? (-:

[Greg Method]

Just putting out a general FYI about two Al-related items.

This weekend VH1 will air its Big in '06 Awards. Al will not only perform on the show but he's also been nominated for an award; specifically "White & Nerdy's" up in the "Big Download" category. There's still about a day left before they close down their voting site, so if you haven't stuffed the ballot for Al yet, there's still time (http://big.vh1.com/big_download.html).

Also, shifting from selfless to shilling, I wanted to make sure everyone here knows about Make the Rock Hall "Weird," (http://www.allthingsyank.com/rockhall) our grassroots campaign to get Al inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his career as the genre's premier satirist. We're going to be circulating a new petition this coming year to coincide with the "Straight Outta Lynwood" tour, and we'll definitely need help from fellow fans. So please, do check out our site if you'd like more information.