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» Hatrack River Forum » Active Forums » Books, Films, Food and Culture » "Weird Al" is back. Who?

   
Author Topic: "Weird Al" is back. Who?
DustinDopps
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You've probably seen the two new videos "Weird Al" has debuted in the past two days. He plans on releasing six more over the next six days.

What do you think? Do you think he is still relevant as an artist? I wasn't sure until I saw these first videos. Now I'm sold. I think they are really good.

There have been complaints that the music he parodies is too old, and I think that's legitimate. "Blurred Lines" is soooo pre-Miley-Meltdown. But Al has addressed this by saying it will be his last traditional album. In the future he will likely release tracks one or two at a time to make them more immediate.

What do you think? Do you enjoy the new songs? Or should he just go away?

Or are you too young to even know who he is...?

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Wingracer
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All I know is that "The Saga Begins" earned him legend status in my mind. Long live Al.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEcjgJSqSRU

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scifibum
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I love Weird Al, although it's been over 20 years since I actually bought an album of his. I should show some support for this album, I guess.
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GaalDornick
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That man is a national treasure.
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BlackBlade
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quote:
Originally posted by GaalDornick:
That man is a national treasure.

*Nod* His music isn't something I want to buy on an album or play in the car. But his music videos are infinitely rewatchable to me.

These last two videos have been great.

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MattP
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<-- buys the albums, plays them in the car.

His concerts are also great. Here he is singing "Wanna B Ur Lovr" to the lady in the row in front of us.

[ July 16, 2014, 01:04 AM: Message edited by: MattP ]

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Shanna
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Based on the number of times that both videos have shown up on my Facebook newfeed, I'd say he's still relevant.

And the parodies are excellent. The "Tacky" video is great and I really want to learn all the lyrics to "Word Crimes." I thought "Blurred Lines" was incredibly catchy but disgusting to listen to. Now I can enjoy it for being upbeat, fun, and educational.

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AchillesHeel
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Pharrel needs to stop using his powers for evil.
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theamazeeaz
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I loved Alpocalypse. I've been busy enough that I haven't listened to any of these songs yet, but when I get around to it, I full intend to buy this one.
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Samprimary
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http://stansellseverything.ytmnd.com/
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Traceria
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I must get over there and see these!

Odd coincidence: My husband and I were just talking about Weird Al yesterday. He'd been listening to the Essential Weird Al CD on a road trip and noted that some classics were still missing. Now he wants to pick up some old albums. I think it's safe to say we would support the claim Al is still relevant. [Wink]

I might not listen to him in the car myself, but I find his stuff is great for background music at work, especially during a rough day. Nothing like a good laugh over "White & Nerdy" or another song to break through work insanity!

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Samprimary
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here's the three officially released so far:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsWo8apgLys

He did this one in a single continuous take a la pharrel's 24 hour music video take style

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gv0H-vPoDc&feature=kp

This one has all of the catchiness of Blurred Lines without being the crime against decency itself that the original song message and video was. It's prescriptivist to the extreme but i could care less

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-0TEJMJOhk

I didn't get the turn into left field. until i did.

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Dogbreath
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It took me about 10 seconds of "what the hell" before it clicked where he was taking it. (for the last one)

Last night my wife and I listened to all of his polkas in reverse order, starting with Now That's What I Call Polka! and going back. We realized he's been doing this for more than 30 years now, and he's outlasted quite a few of the bands/performers he's parodied. (Indeed, many of his parodies are now more remembered than the songs they were based on)

Also, we realized an hour of polka is just excessive.

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Jake
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I've been listening to the latest Comedy Bang Bang podcast, which is mostly Scott Aukerman and Al bantering back and forth, interspersed with snippets from the new album, and am enjoying it enough that I'll probably get the album even though I'm out of touch enough with pop culture that I haven't heard most of the songs being parodied.
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BlackBlade
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quote:
I didn't get the turn into left field. until i did.
Right? At first I laughed the first time he said "Aluminum Foil", then in just a second or two I was like, "Whaaaat....?" Then it totally made sense again.

Brilliant!

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vineyarddawg
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Weird Al is still relevant, primarily because he works hard to be so!

That "Foil" video is just hilarious. And I might just use the "Word Crimes" video to help teach my son grammar. [Smile]

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Scott R
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The Word Crimes video is brilliant.
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theamazeeaz
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quote:
Originally posted by Dogbreath:
It took me about 10 seconds of "what the hell" before it clicked where he was taking it. (for the last one)

Last night my wife and I listened to all of his polkas in reverse order, starting with Now That's What I Call Polka! and going back. We realized he's been doing this for more than 30 years now, and he's outlasted quite a few of the bands/performers he's parodied. (Indeed, many of his parodies are now more remembered than the songs they were based on)

Also, we realized an hour of polka is just excessive.

I've had some very weird moments where I've asked myself why I know the song I'm hearing as it's blared at some public event, and realize that I know it from a Weird Al polka track. But I've never heard the original before. It's weird.
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Magson
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Handy
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Lyrhawn
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quote:
Originally posted by Dogbreath:
(Indeed, many of his parodies are now more remembered than the songs they were based on)

Anything parodied on "Bad Hair Day" I tend to remember his version more than the originals.
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theamazeeaz
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Next up!
http://popcrush.com/weird-al-yankovic-first-world-problems-video/

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