weird al: Alpocalypse

Now that the so-called kerfuffle with Lady Gaga is over and done, Weird Al’s latest album Alpocalypse is out next week on June 21.

I’ve never been a die-hard Weird Al fan. I loved him in the 80s, but who didn’t? Frankly, we all loved a lot of things in the 80s that we’re not necessarily proud of. But I don’t deny that Weird Al is a hell of an entertainer and a very talented songwriter and musician even through parody. When the Lady Gaga thing went down and I watched the video w/lyrics of his “Perform This Way” parody of “Born This Way”, I found myself hoping it would get resolved, because it was a really good parody and I had to overcome a bit of 80s denial. I was looking forward to the new album to see what else he’d come up with and he has not disappointed.

For a–one assumes–limited time, you can hear/stream his new album for free from a few sources. Exclaim! Magazine is currently hosting it on SoundCloud:

It’s also being hosted on MOG (sign up required), per the man himself.

[blackbirdpie url=”http://twitter.com/#!/alyankovic/status/80739236143300608″]

The only reason this might be hit or miss for Weird Al fans is that you definitely have to know (or have heard) some recent chart toppers in their original form to truly appreciate the parodies. Aside from the lead track, “TMZ” is a favorite of mine, perfectly skewering the website/tv show to the tune of Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me”. “Craigslist” evokes The Doors, perfectly and the lyrics totally sell it. Polka medley “Polka Face” incorporating a staggering amount of today’s hits is surprisingly good. And I can see “Stop Forwarding That Crap To Me” being the new anthem of inboxes everywhere.

I don’t grab many comedy albums anymore, but this one will be worth more than a few plays when it comes out this Tuesday.