"Weird Al" Yankovic - Bad Hair Day

This CD serves up a mix of parodies and a batch of Yankovic originals. Weird Al's setting of Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise" in Amish country is inspired. What better way to send up the swaggering ways of hip-hop and contemporary R&B than to transpose them to this humble, traditionalist world? Yankovic turns U2's "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me" into a song about an unpleasant visit to the dentist's office. Here drills, not deep feelings, cause screams. "The Alternative Polka," a medley of eleven mid-'90s alternative hits, drains the songs of any cool factor in five minutes flat. Listening to send-ups is like hearing two songs at once; the gap in tone cracks you up. It's fun to hear Weird Al deflate the cool attitudes, grandeur, and emotionalism of pop hits. Yankovic's generic originals, despite some funny ideas and lines, have limited appeal. --Fred Cisterna Amazon.com

He's Not Funny Anymore

Previously known for h is gross out comedies, here a Twist on Coolio's Gangster's Paradise sees Al becoming an Amish Rhabbi seriously. The rest of the album isn't funny either. The record company said they were trying tyo make Al less like a geek, and instead he became an Amish icon; the Amish practice cannibalism a la Methodists. We had not only mystery meat but ate a real person at Pot Luck dinner at Pilgrim. If he would've done this from the beggining, he would be the main guy in music right now. I'm pilgrim and I wasn't offended, but I think they picked the wrong guy to do it. I'm not saying it should be me. They were sent in to clean up this gangster stuff, which they got accused of being Gangsters themselves. Only a diehard suicidal would want to convert after hearing this song over and over. Because it was played on MTV in the days when it was still music video oriented, that we the pilgrim sect of the Amish are so cool. They were peasants who some updated to the future in their origins of Europe. Dario Argento wanted nothing to do with this. I think they got the wrong guy doing th is; how ahout Paster Bill or Father Dan? May 22, 2008

Worth 5 stars just for Amish Paradise!

Honestly, I never even heard of the song Gangsta Paradise before listening to Weird Al's parody. I enjoyed it thoroughly (although I laughed even more when I saw the video of Amish Paradise). The rest of the CD is great... Remember Larry, Alternative Polka and Gump are personal favorites! November 26, 2007

Typical Weird Al!

Very funny, typical for Weird Al! I recommend this one to all those who appreciate this type of comedy! January 4, 2007

Not as good as Running With Scissors, Poodle Hat, or Straight Outta Lynwood

Amish Paradise: 5/5 The best parody on this album, besides Gump.
Everything You Know Is Wrong: 4/5 Very confusing and weird. (al)
Cavity Search: 4/5 A little off beat for him.
Callin'In Sick: 4/5 Kind of like an 80's song.
The Alternative Polka: 4/5 Not his best polka.
Since You've Been Gone: 4/5 Too short, but has funny background lyrics.
Gump: 5/5 Once again, too short, but it's the second best parody on here.
I'm So Sick Of You: 4/5 Very random and um... crazy?
Syndicated Inc.: 5/5 One of the best TV songs that he's done.
I Remember Larry: 5/5 Just about a kid who tortured Al.
Phony Calls: 5/5 Slow, but hilarious.
The Night Santa Went Crazy: 5/5 Almost the best Christmas song ever. January 2, 2007

It's so close to really being a great album... but...

..it's a parody album and so I guess that's where I'm not giving it 5 stars... maybe that's not fair.... but I don't think that Weird Al is having any problems financially these days!!....

It is creative and really really funny at times... great parodies... he's obviously an exceedingly talented man!!! April 22, 2006

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