Speaking of things that are not terribly significant, the next record is a comedy album - the third one I've reviewed, and I think the last one I own. Comedy just doesn't lend itself to repeat listening.
Disc 364 is...Self-Titled
Artist: Arrogant WormsYear of Release: 1992
What’s Up With The Cover?: A very ordinary drawing, which the liner notes indicate is done by "Bovis Threads." I use the term 'liner notes' very losely here, as this is a very cheaply produced CD. The cover is just a single slip of paper (not even folded in half) with credits on the reverse side.
How I Came To Know It: I was a big fan of Captain Tractor's version of "The Last Saskatchewan Pirate" (on "East of Edson" reviewed back at Disc 148). When I found out the Arrogant Worms did the original, I sought them out.
How It Stacks Up: Amazingly, the Arrogant Worms have seven studio albums. This is their first, and the only one I have, so it is hard to know how it compares.
Rating: 2 stars.
The Arrogant Worms are a college novelty band, so it is ironic I found out about them more than four years after I was out of college. They've carved out a modest career for themselves over the years writing catchy little songs that poke humorous fun at ordinary life, but particularly Canadian life.
Their most famous song is the aforementioned "The Last Saskatchewan Pirate," but principally because it was remade by the aforementioned Captain Tractor. The original Worms version is passable, but it doesn't have nearly the energy of Captain Tractor's version. Still, they wrote it, so that counts for something.
Musically, the Arrogant Worms are not the greatest. They can carry a tune, they can play their instruments competently enough, and they have a knack for comedic timing, but that's the extent of it. The arrangements are very basic. The sound is sparse and the production amateurish.
Of course, that's not the reason I listen to comedy. I want some funny songs that are quotable and not so challenging that I can't sing along. At this level, the Worms deliver. Their debut album is full of all kinds of whimsy and fun. Among the topics they cover: going into debt, bowling, cross-border shopping, and bickering over Christmas dinner.
Not all these songs are equal, "The Credit Song," "Car Full of Pain" and "Let's Go Bowling" are all examples of songs that not only aren't catchy, but are about obvious comedic topics, and frankly, not all that funny.
When they hit though, they hit well. "The Christmas Song" is particularly funny, as the dinner progresses from the typical family spats:
"Everyone is wearing big smiles
They all try to act nice for a while
Then George calls his in-laws vile
Christmas! Christmas is here!"
And quickly degenerates:
"George picks up the carving knife
Wields it around and starts to slice
Henry cocks his shotgun twice
Christmas! Christmas is here!"
Before the grisly ending:
"Police arrive just after eight
Responding to a noise complaint
Open the door - what a grisly fate
Christmas! Christmas is here!"
Throughout the song has a merry penny whistle between verses and each "Christmas! Christmas is here!" is more gleeful than the last. It is bloody good fun.
This is dark as the album gets (not very). That's because the Arrogant Worms are pretty light-hearted with their humour. Even when poking fun they aren't particularly nasty - they just want to have fun.
That said, once you've had a laugh at the two or three best songs you're done with the record. The music isn't good enough to hold your attention, and there are just too many comedic moments that fall flat. This one is best to pull out after a few drinks to share with someone who hasn't heard it, or if you need a 2-3 minute humour break in the middle of a playlist or mixed CD.
Best tracks: The Last Saskatchewan Pirate, The Christmas Song
1 comment:
Going to disagree with you here. This is their very first album, and it really is not representative of their skill. It seems cheaply made because it IS - they're an independent label and they produced that CD not long after leaving uni - jeez, what do you want?! Since then their lineup has changed significantly (lost two members, gained a third) and the production values have gone up dramatically, as has their arrangement and performance.
It's true that that's not the best version of Last Saskatchewan Pirate - the very best version is the one from the 2003 CD, "Semi-Conducted," where they performed with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.
If you're going to review a CD, you should learn more about the band first so you can actually sound like you know what you're talking about.
And no, I am not a member of the band, nor am I affiliated with them.
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