Album Review: Straight Outta Lynwood

Showing my stripes here, and they be geeky. I knew Weird Al was coming out with a new album (the titularly stated 'Straight Outta Lynwood'), and picked it up almost immediately. So now, I've had it for a full day, and I'm ready to share my feelings on the matter.

Let me start with a bit of background. A couple of years ago, after Al's last album (Poodle Hat), it was made known that his parents had died of carbon monoxide poisoning in their home in Lynwood. This album, beneath the surface, features many thoughts on Al's more formative years in music throughout the liner art and background images.

That done, let's get to the features. Al's album is released in Dual Disc, meaning a complete audio side for the album, and the second side containing additional DVD-style content. Let's take turns with each side, shall we?

Side 1 contains 13 original songs, including 5 parodies, 6 originals, and 1 polka. This album better balances the influences of hip hop, which seemed to almost dominate Poodle Hat. Up for conversion include Chamillionaire's "Ridin" as "White and Nerdy", RATM's "Burn" as "I'll Sue Ya!", Usher's "Confession Pt 2" as "Confessions Pt 3", some country song ballad (take THAT, bias!), and Green Day's "American Idiot" as "Canadian Idiot". The mix is a little off on Canadian Idiot, but otherwise the songs stand extremely close to their music stylings of origin. The Polka (featuring Gorillaz, Velvet Revolver, and more!) runs happily enough. The original songs continue Al's trend of 'style parody', and he broadly hits Beach-Boys style music, as well as "We Are the World" style recordings.

On the DVD side, we find the album AGAIN... this time with your choice of stereo sound and 5.1! As WELL as a voiceless with just the music, allowing for karaoke exploits if you so choose. Also featured is a video of Al and friends in the studio (which is some what of a mixed bag), and 6 (!) animated music videos. The videos are each completely differently animated, ranging from the scratchings of Bill Plympton to the action figure madness of Robot Chicken. The only thing missing is Al's live music video currently in release, "White and Nerdy".

So how does Al's current material stand up? I'm clearly biased... I've always liked Al, and will probably always like Al. This album is well representative of what is going on in pop right now. The thing being, of course, you have to realize that the title track says it all. This album is strictly for the Nerdy, but it stands proudly alongside some of my other favorite Al albums, "Bad Hair Day" and "Running With Scissors". I'd rank it above "Poodle Hat"...

One last bit. Pop by Al's web site and download "You're Pitiful", a recording that did not make the album.