"weird" Instruments

[Keir]

One thing I really enjoy about Al's earlier work is the frequent use of unusual or non-traditional instruments. The newer parodies tend to stick extremely close to the original music, and even the originals sound like they would fit right in on a normal radio program except for the lyrics. So what are some of the most unusual "instruments" they've used over the years (not counting the accordion, obviously)? Here are just a few that I can think of off the top of my head:

"Another One Rides the Bus": accordion box
"I Love Rocky Road": musical hands
"Eat It": musical hands
"Lasagna": gargling
"Smells Like Nirvana": gargling, kazoos (I suppose you could mention tuba too. While not an unusual instrument by itself, it certainly is in the context of the original song.)

[Akrovak]

Just off the top of my head (and to make the point that Al still does this on his more recent stuff as well), the stomped weasels on SOL and the tool sounds in Hardware Store would have to be considered instruments as well. While those songs are not parodies, they do show that Al is still inventing "instruments".

[Well, Well, Well]

The toy piano in "Pancreas" is probably my all-time favorite unusual instrument.

[crazymelon]

The cavity search drill. Plus the tooth.

[Well, Well, Well]

Ah, yes, and that hand farting sound in "Headline News." That's also a favorite.

[crazymelon]

Also in SLN, the cow and sheep noises.

[algonacchick]

I like the vibraslap in "Pancreas". I had seen one of those before, but I never knew what it was called until SOL came out. I remember my mother showing me one at a music store a long time ago, and saying how she wanted one. She never did get one, but they look pretty cool.

[Well, Well, Well]

I'd suggest giving her a vibraslap for Christmas...but that sounds a tad sexual.

[crazymelon]

A tad, yes.

[Well, Well, Well]

I remember hearing that in a radio interview Al did (that someone posted on the board, though I don't remember where exactly).