Flight of the Conchords

For all those people who have been living under a rock this year, Flight of the Conchords are one of New Zealand's premier two-man novelty bands. Otherwise known as Bret Mckenzie and Jemaine Clement, the band have their own TV show which screened earlier this year. They also have a fantastic self titled album which I think is one of the best musical offerings of the year. Aside from being hilarious (take a look at the Bowie segment from the TV show, or the film clip to Inner City Pressure), the songs are also well written and extremely catchy. The album is definitely worth seeking out if you haven't heard it- within just a few days you'll be singing in French along to Foux Du Fafa or imitating Shaggy like Bret does in Boom.

The next two entries will be devoted to a track by track analysis of the album.

1. Foux Du Fafa
A funny song full of French, but it's all French any English speaking person might be able to bluff without really knowing the language. 'Soup de jour... camembert... Jacques Cousteau!' Accompanying the lyrics is a boppy little track featuring soft cheesy guitar and Jemaine does a deep voiced alluring vocal.

2. Inner City Pressure
The boys do a great homage to the Pet Shop Boys' West End Girls in this track, which has some of the best lyrics on the album. 'Counting coins at the counter of the 7-Eleven, from a quarter past six til a quarter to seven. The manager, Bevan, starts to abuse me. Hey man, I just want some muesli.' Lots of synthesisers here.

3. Hiphopopotamus vs Rhymenocerous
This track features the boys' hip hop names which they think make them cool, but of course Bret prefers to rap about reality- 'there ain't no party like my Nana's tea party'. A great send up of rap's common concerns.

4. Think About It
This social conscience driven song points out some of the pitfalls of modern life in a plaintive plea to action. Watch out for people wielding knives and forks calling each other names like dork, and for diseases from monkeys.

5. Ladies of the World
Here, the boys try their hand at a smooth voiced sexy song to tempt women. And they don't discriminate either. They'll happily have ladies from Namibia, the Carribbean, amphibian ladies and even Presbyterian ladies.

6. Mutha'uckas
More rap, this time in response to annoying situations in the lives of Bret and Jemaine. Like the guy who won't sell Bret any apples because he's from New Zealand.

7. The Prince of Parties
The drug-fuelled fantasies of Bret produce this song featuring a range of exotic instruments and lots of great alliteration. A song that stands out for its instrumentals as much as its lyrics which don't make a lot of sense really.