Straight Outta Lynwood Full Album Reviews

[Bruce the Duck]

Alright, here's part 2 of my review: THE DVD

DVD Menus - Great pictures! I'm glad he used different pictures and didn't just stick to all the ones in the booklet. I love the animated backgrounds and the sound effects. It was definitely a good choice to have city noises like that instead of music. Keep the menus still for a while to hear some funny background sounds.

Instrumental Mixes - I liked how he had childhood pictures as the backgrounds for the songs. Although, I'd have prefered if they were more of a slide show, featuring more pics. Hey, remember that big update on the Mothership. That must have been when they were going through the old pictures to pic which ones would be on the DVD. Anyway, the mixes were good, but I wish there were some actual karaoke tracks instead of just instrumentals, especially for "Pancreas."

Videos

1. "Don't Download This Song" - I've reviewed this before. It's not a great video, but it's okay. 5/10

2. "I'll Sue Ya" - Brilliant animation! I love the Al with dreds, and how the visuals reference the song. Really rockin' video! 10/10

3. "Weasel Stomping Day" - Really makes the song more enjoyable! Watching the weasels getting crushed is hilarious. But I'm not a fan of Robot Chicken's animation style. 7/10

4. "Close, But No Cigar" - I'm not a fan of John K either...but this video is FREAKIN' BRILLIANT! I love every moment of it! Making the main character a cat is an interesting choice, but it works with the John K style. Great, great video! 10/10

5. "Pancreas" - Um...okay. 3/10

6. "Virus Alert" - Another great video with excellent animation! Loved the Matrix reference at the beginning. Great stuff! 10/10

7. "Al in the Studio" - A bit choppy for me, and could have used some brief interview segments or something. But it was fun to get such an insight into how the songs are recorded. I especially loved the part where Al's sitting, frustrated on the couch and they keep redoing the one little part of "Pancreas," and he keeps telling them to change it. You know what? I couldn't tell any of those clips from each other! Shows you what a perfectionist he really is! 8/10

[TMBJon]

The album is very good overall, but maybe my listening to all the originals of each parody for an entire month has had a negative effect on my opinion on the album. Here's what I'm thinking of it immiediately after the first listen and while listening to it the second time:

1. White & Nerdy - I've been listening to this one for a month now and it is very very very solid. Al's best single in years. I've commented on this song far too much already elsewhere on the forum, so I'll stop now.
2. Pancreas - Very well produced, Al. I especially liked the insight on the recording of this song from the DVD. The Brian Wilson was very effective and that part of the song was very good, but overall I found the lyrics to be less than funny intrinsically, though the various parts of the complex arrangement will certainly be stuck in my head. The idea of putting the functions of the pancreas into a song is very creative and definitely works.
3. Canadian Idiot - The lyrics are absolutely great (for the most part), but what is the deal with the instrumentation here? It sounds NOTHING like the original! I'm pretty disappointed about that aspect of the song. And the mix is somewhat strange in that it's very hard to hear Al's voice over the music in some points. Not sure why Al didn't use more distortion like the original.
4. I'll Sue Ya - The music for this style parody is absolutely dead on. I really liked this. The lyrics were alright, I liked the premise but would've liked if it was a little less list-ish. I thought it was funny that he sang about litigation in a Rage style parody because of their political nature.
5. Polkarama! - Sounds like a classic old Al polka, a lot different from AWBP and Polka Power. I really like this polka a lot. One of the best on the album.
6. Virus Alert - I had never heard of Sparks before today but it was a great style parody. As far as the song content itself, I found it very funny. Man, are there a lot of computer/nerd related songs on this album or what??
7. Confessions Part III - The most original idea for a parody in a while. I really liked that it was making fun of the very nature of the original. Why are there two songs by Usher called Confessions anyway? The idea for the parody was hillarious and the execution was even better.
8. Weasel Stomping Day - In my opnion, this song kind of sucks and is really just filler. It's a shame that some people will only hear this song as a representative for the new album. But the part of the DVD where you see what the sound effects come from makes up for it. Very funny.
9. Close But No Cigar - Very good song as it stands itself, but as a Cake style parody I don't know. Al sings way more than John McCrae, who generally talks the lyrics. And Cake is a little more minimalist than this song is.
10. Do I Creep You Out? - The verses to this song are truly inspired, but the chorus is pretty similar to the original, isn't it? This was obviously recorded with White & Nerdy to fill out the album. Al took a huge chance by releasing a Taylor Hicks parody and I think it will backfire. A lot of people do not know who Hicks is and this song got very little radio play. I think it's good because I downloaded the song, but time will tell what everyone else things.
11. Trapped In The Drive-Thru - Absolutely no complaints. This song owns. Inspired from the first note to the last line, this was a very well put together satire on the original. As Al said, he couldn't make it any funnier so he went with something more banal. I especially liked the part about the guy named Paul, which was a specific reference to part 5 of the original. The 'Black Dog' cover was very well executed. Congratulations to Al on getting permission for that.
12. Don't Download This Song - I've been listening to this one for a month as well. A great ending song, very funny style parody. I especially like the Lars Ulrich line.


Overall - I think the album was very good but I am a little worried about how well it will hold up over time. Other than Green Day, I don't think any of these songs will be remembered in a decade's time. The way "Canadian Idiot" is played musically is a serious detraction from the album for me, as I was especially looking forward to this track. I look forward to seeing how my feelings change as I listen to the album more.

[Lemmy]

The Album:

White and Nerdy - Genius. At first, I didn't really like it, but as I listened to it more and more, I began to like it. Now I think it's a great lead parody. 9/10

Pancreas - The music's good, but I really did not like this song. 3/10

Canadian Idiot - Funny, but not enough like the original. That's not too much of a problem. Oh, and great final line 8/10

I'll Sue Ya - Really funny grunge-rock-style song that is pretty much fact. 8/10

Polkarama! - I like the choice of music, but it didn't really stick with me. 7/10

Virus Alert - Funny original that explains every single thing a simple virus can do. Not as funny after a few listens, but still good. 8/10

Confessions Part III - Really funny list of some ridiculous confessions, but for some reason, it didn't live up to my expectations as much. 8.5/10

Weasel Stomping Day - Disturbingly fun song that I can't get enough of. 9/10

Close But No Cigar - Great original that shows how picky someone can be over a girl. For its length, it could have had a bit more though. 8/10

Do I Creep You Out - Okay parody, but easily forgettable. 6/10

Trapped In The Drive-Thru - The greatest Al song I've heard in quite a while. 10/10

Don't Download This Song - Still good after a month or so and the perfect way to end the album. 9/10

I know, I know. I'm a bit picky. I liked the songs a lot more than it seems, though.


The DVD:

I didn't try listening to the album on the DVD, since it decided to screw up on me. As for the videos...

Don't Download This Song - Not that great a video, but it wasn't a disaster. 6/10

I'll Sue Ya - I love this video because it goes perfectly with the song (well, duh) and the animation is great. 9/10

Weasel Stomping Day - Robot Chicken's animation style went perfectly with this song and it is probably my favorite video on the album, even if it makes me seem weird. 9.5/10

Virus Alert - Same as I'll Sue Ya, funny and good animation. I loved how the animators, the Retarded Animal Babies guys, managed to slip in some RAB references. 9/10

Pancreas - I didn't even bother watching this one cause I didn't even like the song that much. No rating.

Close But No Cigar - Good video but it kind of went on the joke that the girls had huge rear ends for a bit too long. 7.5/10

Al in the Studio - Loved it. Favorite part is when they're trying to record vocals and they hear the weasel noises. I just wish it was a bit longer. 9.5/10

White and Nerdy - Did I miss it or did they just not have it on the disc? I've seen the video anyway, and it's pretty funny. No rating since it wasn't on the actual disc.

THE FINAL SCORE: 8.5/10
definitely one of my favorite WAY albums, but the weaker tracks weighed it down a bit.

[Kevbo1987]

I'm going to go ahead and throw in my review of the Special Features as well:

Videos:

1). Don't Download This Song- I've given my review of this before, but I'll give it again. While the video is a bit strange and strays from the song, it is a very interesting and well-done animation. 7/10.

2). I'll Sue Ya- The animation on this one was really impressive. The video follows the song very closely and I love how this was done. 10/10.

3). Weasel Stomping Day- A very...um....interesting animation. I found it to be hysterical, and also a bit cringe-inducing whenever a weasel was crushed. It was a good video, though definitely a bit strange. 8/10.

4). Close But No Cigar- I had my doubts about this video, but it was much better than I thought it was going to be. While there were a few things that could be considered risque, it was not nearly as bad as we thought it was going to be. In fact, it was brilliant! I love John K's animation style, and he really worked hard on this one. 10/10.

5). Pancreas- Could somebody tell me the point of this video? I'm still trying to figure it out. It seemed to be pretty random, and for some reason, the "secretions" almost made me throw up. 4/10.

6). Virus Alert- Again, extremely impressive animation. I loved every second of it. 10/10.

I'm really impressed with the animated videos, especially after being somewhat let down by DDTS when it premiered.

Al in the Studio- It was very interesting to see all of the work that goes into the recording of an album. I enjoyed seeing all of the different instruments used on the album and the scene where they were recording the vocals for DDTS was amazing. I was also just amazed at all of the work that Al puts into the post-production side of things. And the scene at the end where Nina is watching Al record is just adorable.

[TMBJon]

5). Pancreas- Could somebody tell me the point of this video? I'm still trying to figure it out. It seemed to be pretty random, and for some reason, the "secretions" almost made me throw up. 4/10.

You, my friend, have most obviously never studied Sergei Eisenstein's theory of montage editing.

[Fintron]

The mysterious return of Fintron!
Anyway... I had my dad pick up Straight Outta Lynwood for me while I was at school so I could listen to it as soon as I got home. Well the CD was defective. So we went back up to Wal Mart and exchanged it, this one works. So here's a review.

1. White & Nerdy - Very funny song, with an even funnier video. This is one of my favorite songs of his. I've told a lot of my friends about it, so far I've only heard positive reviews. 10/10

2. Pancreas - Er... strange song... but I do like it. The video is also quite strange. Not the best original I've heard, but still good. 7/10

3. Canadian Idiot - I wasn't really expecting much out of this song, but I really like it. There's not really anything else I have to say about it. 8/10

4. I'll Sue Ya - This song is hilarious, especially the part about Ben Affleck. Also this is probably my favorite video on the album. This is also my favorite original on the album. 10/10

5. Polkarama - Not the best polka, but I still like it, especially since I've heard most of the songs on it, unlike some of the other polkas. 8/10

6. Virus Alert - Cool song, very catchy. The video is also pretty good. 9/10

7. Confessions Part III - Hilarious song, those are some pretty interesting confessions. 9/10

8. Weasel Stomping Day - Funny, and twisted song. I find it very catchy. The video is pretty sick, but I still love it. 10/10

9. Close But No Cigar - This songs pretty good, and the video is good. There's not really anything else I can say about it. 8/10

10. Do I Creep You Out - Not that great of a parody... it's alright, but not one of my favorites. 6/10

11. Trapped In The Drive-Thru - This, in my opinion, is the greatest song on the album, and is definitely one of my favorite songs of all time. The original is so ridiculous, and this was a perfect parody of it. Some parts had me laughing pretty hard. 10/10

12. Don't Download This Song - Good song, I was a bit dissapointed by the video the first time I saw it, but now I think it's pretty good. 9/10

Overall a pretty awesome album.

[Kevbo1987]

You, my friend, have most obviously never studied Sergei Eisenstein's theory of montage editing.

No I haven't. Perhaps if I did, I'd appreciate the video more. My opinion of the video was after my first viewing of it, too. Maybe once I watch it again, I'll like it more.

[anthontherun]

Listened to it (having not heard any of the 12 tracks before)...let's go!

1. White and Nerdy - Loved it. I honestly think this is the best lead parody since "Smells Like Nirvana." Great song, especially since it was apparently a rush job. 9/10

2. Pancreas - I couldn't help but think of an old song from Happy Days, Potsie sang a song with a chorus like "Puh-puh-puh [actually, I think it was repeated 27 times], pumps your blood!" Liked the vocals and melody too. 8/10

3. Canadian Idiot - Meh...it's not bad by any means but it felt very knocked off and uninspired. It was still pretty good. 6/10

4. I'll Sue Ya - Loved it, especially the choruses. It's kind of a one-joke song but Al makes it work. 10/10

5. Polkarama! - Better than the last two polkas, but this one'll be forgotten in ten years. 8/10

6. Virus Alert - Much better than I was expecting, another one-joke song that works very well. Great tune too. 9/10

7. Confessions Part III - Again, better than I was expecting, although not laugh-out-loud hilarious. 8/10

8. Weasel Stomping Day - Absolutely hysterical. Great, great song; I usually don't like having shorter songs on the ALbums but this one works perfectly. 10/10

9. Close But No Cigar - My favorite from the album. Similar to "Why Does This Always Happen to Me?" composition-wise and works just as well. 10/10

10. Do I Creep You Out - This one did nothing for me. 4/10

11. Trapped in the Drive-Thru - Mere words can't do this one justice. 10/10

12. Don't Download This Song - It was definitely worth the wait, although I don't think it was the best song to close the album with. 8/10

RANKING
1. Close But No Cigar
2. I'll Sue Ya
3. Trapped in the Drive-Thru
4. Weasel Stomping Day
5. White and Nerdy
6. Virus Alert
7. Pancreas
8. Don't Download This Song
9. Confessions Part III
10. Polkarama!
11. Canadian Idiot
12. Do I Creep You Out

[stupidsurgeon27]

Ah, here is my nice review. I've only spent 3 hours sinking my teeth into it and I just barely scratched the surface.

The case is kinda nice with the curve, cause some Dualdisc albums I have just have normal cases.

White and Nerdy: I love this song. This is probably one of my favorite songs ever. This song hits so close for me on quite a few things. I'm just so white and nerdy. I've already heard this five billion times already (seems like it, lol) and I just never get tired of it. The Star Trek references make me so happy. 10/10

Pancreas: I really like the tune of it, it makes me want to dance, the ways the tune changes slightly during it. It makes me happy. I think the lyrics are okay, but they're not my favorite lyrics really. It's a uh...nice tribute to the pancreas. 7/10

Canadian Idiot: The tune is nice, but I haven't really heard the original to this really. By itself, I don't Al's voice is quite uh...yelling enough the first time though, but I get use to it quick. Though, if would have completely yelled, I'm sure my ears would be gone. I really like the lyrics though. The aboot line is gonna remind me of the PH Al-TV. 8/10

I'll Sue Ya: The music is okay, but I've never been a huge fan of this type of music in the first place. The lyrics are absolutely brilliant, but I've never been a huge fan of this type of music. The lyrics give it most of its points from me. My favorite line is that Colorado looks too much like Wyoming. It can grow on me. 7/10

Polkarama: Yay! The Chicken Dance. Looking at the songs by themselves, I didn't seem to know many, but listening to the lyrics, I knew quite a bit more thank I thought that I would. I really like the songs picked for this. The sound effects are nice and some transition seem off, but I really like it a lot. I really liked the Candy Shop part. 9/10

Virus Alert: Easily my favorite original of this album. I like the music that is used with it, but also the fact that the it really can outrageous. It makes me so happy after knowing someone who was paranoid about viruses like this. The tune is just so catchy and bouncy for me. 9/10

Confessions Part III: I haven't heard the previous uh...two, but I really liked the parody of this. I like how Al's voice ranges in this song. Of course, always appreciate the 27 thrown in there. Some of the confessions are just hilarious. The one with Shirley Temple made me pause and blink at the lyric booklet. 10/10

Weasel Stomping Day: I really like this song. Then again, I'm weird with my sense of humor, but I've always liked the cheery kinda music this brings. The lyrics I'm fine with too. Not the finest lyrics ever, but it just fits so well with the music for me. 8/10

Close But No Cigar: The music is nice with it, but it's more about the lyrics on this one too. It's nice to see a song about someone nitpicking one flaw with the other and someone causes you to break it off with them. 7/10

Do I Creep You Out: For some reason, I completely imagining to slow dance to this song. I really liked this parody. I really liked the cheers at the end for some reason. I'm very strange with it, but I do love it. 8/10

Trapped in the Drive-Thru: I'm entirely impressed that Al went through the entire song. It was just amazing. How one could go through in an entire ordeal in an nearly 11 minute song. I'm not sure often I can listen to this every time I listen to the album, but I do love this song. The radio bit in the middle was just great! 9/10

Don't Download This Song: As I've said before when it came on the net all those weeks ago. I still love the nice irony of this song and how Al takes both sides in this song. The music goes nicely with it. It really makes me happy. 9/10

Videos:

Don't Download This Song: I'm still not a huge fan of the video, but I'm getting more use to it. It just didn't flow with the music for me, so I'm okay with it. 7/10

Close But No Cigar: The animation style is something to get use to since I'm okay only with the style, and the butt thing was odd. The lead character being a cat was an interesting choice and it was nice that each girl got eaten up. 8/10

Weasel Stomping Day: I'm a fan of using action figures with animation, so I really like the video. It's cheery too. 9/10

I'll Sue Ya: The animation simple is really nice and clean. I like the animated Al with dreadlocks and the jokes flow well with the song. I really liked it. 9/10

Pancreas: Um...it's interesting, but there wasn't really much to animation that I was expecting. I liked the chorus part with the men jumping and they tried with lip synching, but yeah. 5/10

Virus Alert: I really like the animation style with this one too. And there are some jokes in there themselves without the song. 9/10

Making of the Album thing: No interview part, but I really liked how it showed how much work goes into this thing. Also shows how much of a perfectionist that Al is. Wow. The sound effects going into Weasel Stomping Day is neat. I'm into Production like this, so it's interesting to see what gets used. Al and Steve bouncing to songs is amusing. And the Nina part is cute.

Overall...I love this album! Weeeeeeeee!

[Hope You Enjoy It]

Time for the most worthless review of the day... mine.

Loved the entire album and every song on it. 10/10 = All.


HYEI