Rating: NNNN
From humble beginnings as mere stand-up comics, New Zealand’s “fourth-most-popular folk parody duo,” Jemaine Clement (bespectacled John Travolta look-alike) and Bret MacKenzie (wolf T-shirt enthusiast), have elevated themselves to cult status with their HBO series. Their album pays homage to Marvin Gaye, gangsta rap, Pet Shop Boys, Bowie, Prince, feathery French pop and just about anything else that tickles their funny bones.
Mindless novelty fun? Absolutely. Anyone who’s seen the series will be familiar with the pseudo-naive Kiwis’ undeniable talent for musical mimicry. Genuine musicianship and songwriting skills are revealed across genres as diverse as electro-boogie (Robots – set in “the distant future – the year 2000”), mock-pop acoustica (A Kiss Is Not A Contract) and riotous ragga (Boom). Lends itself to numerous repeat listens and laughs.
