Dare To Be Stupid

1. Like A Surgeon -- PARODY of Madonna, where the subject is now a new doctor on the job and everything that goes wrong. Set to a teeny bit more of a computerized beat, this is one of his best 'hits', as well as doing very good at imitating her vocals, as well as her movies in the video.

2. The title track is one of his most famous originals, with a Devo style sound and about all the stupid things you can do on purpose - including, "Stick your head in the microwave and get yourself a tan."

3. I Want A New Duck -- PARODY of Huey Lewis, with a slightly hard/classic rocking sound. Now, Al wants a pet duck that is perfect and won't do things like quack all night, and that will wash his car, etc. Not a hit, but I wish it was. It would've made a great video.

4. One More Minute -- Another famous original, with a somewhat mock doo-wop sad ballad sound. Slightly depressing tune Al apparently wrote after his girlfriend dumped him. Includes all the things he'd rather do (i.e. "Clean all the bathrooms at grand central station with my tongue) than spend another minute with her.

5. Yoda -- PARODY of the Kinks, with a Star Wars theme. Although the original song (about a drag queen) is probably just as funny as this, it's still pretty good. Melodic tune about meeting Yoda in a swamp.

6. George of the Jungle -- Send-up of the classic TV show theme with sound effects. Not really essential, but worth a laugh.

7. Slime Creatures from Outer Space -- One of his most underrated originals. Uptempo rocking tune about ugly green aliens who are invading the world. "I sure hope they don't come in here, I just shampooed the rug!" he sings in one line. If you think all there is to Weird Al are the parody hits, you've gotta hear this.

8. Girls Just Wanna Have Lunch -- PARODY of Cyndi Lauper about girls who like to overeat at lunchtime. Though it still keeps the general fun, cutesy sound of the original, I can see why it wasn't a hit. It's good, but somehow just seems to lack a bit in lyrics and seems like it was written in a hurry.

9. This is the Life -- Another famous original based on the movie Johnny Dangerously. Sung in first person and based on the 1920's character's rich, frivilous lifestyle. Uptempo and piano based, but featuring a (good) mock Eddie Van Halen guitar solo.

10. Cable TV -- Mid tempo original about the (then) still new medium of cable. A bored Al suddenly gets it installed, and pretty soon he's watching the "Stock Report in Korean, and Porky's 27 times this week."

11. Hooked on Polkas -- The typical album polka medley, this time featuring popular songs in the 1983/84 era, including Owner of A Lonely Heart, Sharp Dressed Man, and What's Love Got to do With It."

Basically, I think this AL-bum holds together narrowly the best of all of 'em. There's a mostly new wavey-rock sound in keeping with the style of the day. Also, there's only 4 parodies, whereas most have 5. However, unlike most others, there's 3 famous originals here too.

I love the title track, and "One More Minute" is the greatest, most honest break-up song ever written.