Flight of the Conchords (Concert and CD)

Special Review: "Flight of the Conchords" Concert, New CD, and the Next Season of their HBO Show

Concert dates: 5/30 and 6/1 at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles, CA

Season 2 on HBO is rumored to start airing in January 2009 (yes, that's a long time from now)

Check out their MySpace: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=58557805

1. Foux du Fafa

Marmot: I preferred this on the CD. The production really benefits the song.

Manatee: I would agree with that. I think the duo has great energy but the song does gain something from the porduction. On the show it was pretty funny as well. Did they ask for "European" lighting at the concert for this one?

Marmot: Yes, it was very European, the lighting. Different wattage and such.

Manatee: Do you think either of them really speak French?

Marmot: Um....no.

2. Inner City Pressure

Marmot: Did they play "Inner City Pressure" during your show?

Manatee: They did not place this song. Do you think it would be too difficult live? There seems to be a lot of fancy stuff going on in the song.

Marmot: That's probably why. Although the song is just "West End Girls" by The Pet Shop Boys.

Manatee: You're right! Do you like this song as a whole? Show and/or CD?

Marmot: I like the video from the show and the song itself is pretty good, but listening to it just makes me want to listen to "West End Girls" instead.

Manatee: Probably not what they had in mind, but none the less, I do find the video funny.

3. Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros [feat. Rhymenocerous and the Hiphopopotamus]

Marmot: This is one of my favorite songs on the CD. I laugh every time at the "my lyrics are bottomless...." part. Of course they didn't play it live.

Manatee: I love the "there are birds on my back and I'm horny..." line. Ah, I did see it live, and it was cool just because it's a hilarious song and the crowd went wild since it was played toward the end of the concert. And I love it on the CD too. I know it was on Season 1 of the show, but I don't remember in what context...

Marmot: It was in the Muggers episode. The guys get mugged in an alley, and sing this to prove how tough they are. Then they get mugged anyway

Manatee: Oh, when they lost the Camera-Phone!

Marmot: The video was kind of plain, but I'm pretty convinced that was the first episode they shot, so it's forgivable.

Manatee: I did feel like as the show went on, it got a little less plain, more design was involved in the sets and the visual effects.

Marmot: I just hope that doesn't continue. One of the things I love about the show is it's "low-budget" charm.

4. Think About It

Manatee: I don't particularly like this song.

Marmot: Really? I think this song has the funniest lyrics on the whole CD.

Manatee: I guess I just don't respond to the music, so it's kind of off my radar. Did they play this at your show? They did do a funny banter bit to intro the song.

Marmot: They did play this. I just think the whole "people on the street getting diseases from monkeys" thing is hilarious. “Yeah, that's what I said, they're getting diseases from monkeys.”

Manatee: Did they do 'banter' about Bret's little grandchildren's children's children?

Marmot: Yeah, about babies having babies?

Manatee: But they are imaginary because he's not even married! That was a funny bit. And they went into saving the whales and their potential use of cell phones to dial 9-1-1. Save the whales – provide them with cell phones!

5. Ladies of the World

Manatee: I would have liked to have heard Ladies live at the concert.

Marmot: Yeah, this is a great song. I don't remember this on the show, though?

Manatee: They didn't play it for us at the concert. I'm not sure why. It's such a great song, and so funny.

Marmot: Maybe they're saving it for the MidWest.

Manatee: I don't remember it well on the show either, but on YouTube there is a clip - it refreshed my memory a little - it was like a cheesy 70s game show set. They had Bob Barker mics and bad purple polyester suits. Sort of like Disney’s It’s a Small World Ride circa 1978.

Marmot: I don't remember that, but I wish I did. I'm going to have to watch them again.

Manatee: That's the fun of this HBO Show, it never gets old. I could watch clips and full episodes till the cows come home!

6. Mutha'uckas

Marmot: They did, however, play Mutha'uckas

Manatee: Yes they did. Did you like it live?

Marmot: I did like it live, but I prefer it on CD. It's the bass.

Manatee: Do you think there is something to say for taking this one out of context? It's a funny song, with silly lyrics, but it fit so well into the show about the racist fruit vendor... does it work for someone who has not seen the show and know about the guy who won't let them buy an apple?

Marmot: I think it does, but in a different way. The song touches on the fruit vendor, but I can't really understand what Bret's saying anyway. The show just rounded it out for me, especially with Aziz Ansari, who opened for them.

Manatee: I like this song without the visuals just as much as within the show mainly because you can't tell what Bret is saying. It's a silly song making fun of that type of rap/hip hop genre where you can't hear anything. They do a nice job of varying the genres on the songs. They almost become parodies of the genre.

7. The Prince of Parties

Marmot: Like Prince of Parties, which is probably my least favorite song on the CD.

Manatee: I really dislike this one. For me the album is very segregated into songs I think are super funny and songs that stink. There is no grey area. This definately falls into the stink category.

Marmot: Yeah, it doesn't really do much for me. I get the vibe, but it's just filler for me. I would have much rather had Sellotape, If You're Into It, The Mermaid Song or The Doggy Bounce on the CD

Manatee: Hands down, I'd rather hear Cheer Up Murray on the CD. Haha, Ginger Balls!

8. Leggy Blonde [feat. Rhys Darby]

Manatee: What about Leggy Blonde? Do you see that as filler? Or do you dig this one?

Marmot: I like Leggy Blonde a lot. I wish they would have played it at the concert.

Manatee: Leggy Blonde is not one of my favs, but it's funny on the series. I really didn't miss it at the concert.

Marmot: It does kind of mix in with the slower songs. I don't think it was missed either.

9. Robots

Marmot: I know you're not much of a fan of "Robots". They opened with this when I saw them.

Manatee: You know I really didn't like Robots, that was perhaps at the bottom of my list. But they opened Sunday night's show with this song too and it grew on me a little. A concert is usually more exciting in person anyway since you draw on the energy of the crowd. The crowd was going wild as they came onto stage and played in the darkness with those bright lights pointed at the audience. I was seeing spots for quite awhile. But I guess seeing it live made me rethink the song - it was super fun and got the crowd in the mood for the rest of the show!

Marmot: It was a good choice to open with. I'm glad they truncated it a bit for the live show.

Manatee: "0000001-0000001, Come on sucker lick my battery" You know how many times I've wanted to say that to people?

Marmot: At least 10?

Manatee: Maybe more.

Marmot: I just want to do the Roboboogie.

Manatee: I think part of the reason I did not like the song was that I did not enjoy that part of the series. It was in the first episode I believe, and I was pretty bored with their making of. It was hilarious that they were shooting the music video on a cell phone, but the series started a little slow for me, and I think I associate the song with that.

Marmot: The videos did get better as the series progressed. For instance, "Boom"

10. Boom

Marmot: The videos did get better as the series progressed. For instance, "Boom"

Manatee: I have a special place in my heart for this song. I originally saw their HBO Special and they closed with this song. It was the funniest thing I had ever seen. I could not figure out who these guys were and what they were talking / singing about but I laughed so hard. But when I saw the song in the series, it was amazing! Though Bret is hilarious on stage, I loved the sign holder story line and his fellow sign holders dancing in the background to this song.

Marmot: I was super disappointed they didn't play this. It's my favorite song on the CD.

Manatee: It's mine too, and it was the BEST song live at the concert. Bret and Jemaine get up and dance with their Casio DG 20 guitars - it's awesome! Not to rub it in or anything.

Marmot: Oh yeah, well...I had some chips there.

Manatee: You had a better seat

Marmot:You saw Weird Al.

Manatee: True... I win.

11. A Kiss Is Not A Contract

Manatee: Did they play A Kiss Is Not A Contract for you at the concert?

Marmot: Nope. I always forget about this song. It's one of those slower ones that sort of blend together.

Manatee: I'm sort of so-so on the song. But they had some great 'banter' leading into it at the concert. They were talking about how girls line up after shows to kiss them. And how Bret is the more technical kisser where as Jemaine is more animal like - "It's like kissing a lion."

Marmot: Did the girls go crazy?

Manatee: Naturally!

Marmot: It must be nice, being in a successful folk parody duo.

Manatee: How many times has that sentence been uttered?

12. The Most Beautiful Girl [In The Room]

Marmot: They did play this. I think it was the second song.

Manatee: They played this for us too. I like this song because it has nice neat little sound bytes, for example: “You could be a high class prostitute.”

Marmot: This was the first Conchords song I had heard. I remember watching the show and just thinking it was hilarious that they broke into song in the middle of all this acting.

Manatee: I guess I knew what to expect with the singing in the middle of the show, but I think I like this song better on the CD. Again, I think this episode is a product of the early makings of the show which matured over time. This was a little of a primitive scene.

13. Business Time

Manatee: This is our mantra: Business Time! But minus the sex part.

Marmot: This is my second favorite on the record. Probably their best song, song-wise.

Manatee: I get so pumped up when I hear this song. It's a very close 2nd to Boom.

Marmot: Their rendition live was really good, too. Although I did miss the high synth that's sprinkled in on the recording, you can't have it all.

Manatee: What makes this song so funny?

Marmot: I think it's something that most people can understand - how uh, well...you know, that...can become routine and stale in long term relationships.

Manatee: I just wanted to put you on the spot!

Marmot: I mean, not marmots. They do it all the time. They're quite good at it, too.

Manatee: That sounds like a new song! Season 2 of FOTC presents It's Marmot Time!

14. Bowie

Manatee: This is Bowie back to Bowie.

Marmot: I read you loud and clear man! Oooh yeahh-ahh!

Manatee: I really don't like the Bowie song. I'm not sure why they made it.

Marmot: This is where you and I differ. I love this song. It's such an accurate and clever parody of David Bowie, circa 1972. And the recorded version, with the "Let's Dance" coda is fantastic.

Manatee: I just tune out every time this song comes on... I can't help it. Are you a Bowie fan? Does that make a difference?

Marmot: I am a Bowie fan, so it must make all the difference. Their parody is so dead on, it's more of a tribute than anything else. Liam Lynch (comedian, musician, director of the Tenacious D movie) put out a record a few years ago that had various parodies of other people (including one of David Bowie, if I remember right), but it was more of a mockery than the loving tribute of the Conchords' song.

15. Au Revoir

Manatee: Waste of time.

Marmot: Sucks.

Our Favorite Song on the CD

Marmot & Manatee: BOOM!

Our Favorite Live Song at the concert

Marmot: Sellotape

Manatee: BOOM!

What songs we miss on the CD

Marmot: Sellotape, The Mermaid Song or The Doggy Bounce

Manatee: Cheer Up Murray

Additional Songs from the concert

Marmot & Manatee: Jenny & Ex Girlfriends' Chorus

Banter

Marmot: I think the Conchords talked through half of the show, but there wasn't a minute of it that wasn't funny.

Manatee: Their banter is very charming. Is it the accents? Or the sense of humor? Or both? Hmm.... Or sexy looks?

Marmot: I think it's both - all. Plus there's an sense of innocence with them - for instance, at the show I went to, they had some banter about being in a band and doing band things - like drugs and getting blowjobs (jokes, of course). Jemaine asked Bret what a good number of blowjobs was to get and Bret guesses "three". So Jemaine says he got three, just minutes before they went onstage. Bret one-ups him and said he got 48. So Jemaine says he got between 3 and 48 blowjobs. Then, during the show, a girl from the audience throws a note onstage. Late in the show, Bret reads the note and turns beet red and starts laughing in embarrassment, breaking character. After some debate he reads the note - "Sharon has offered to give us our 49th blowjobs." Any other band, and they would have just accepted.

Manatee: I wonder if that incident Friday played into Sunday's show because the guys did a bit before "A Kiss is Not a Contract" about girls lining up kiss them after the concert. Maybe it's just a funny coincidence that their "Kiss" banter reflected Sharon's intentions! But I was also thinking how hard it must be for them to not break character (they didn't at all on Sunday) even when they 'banter.' If I were them, I'd laugh at my own jokes!

Marmot: I don't see how they can't, they're hilarious. I just wonder if they were thinking the same thing I was on Friday.

Manatee: Which was?

Marmot: Who is this Sharon? And what is her phone number?

(Pause)

Marmot: I was just kidding, Manatee.

Manatee: That part will not be stricken from the record. I'm noting you as a sex pervert!

Marmot: Oh come on! That's not fair...especially since I already have her phone number. ZING

The Next Season

Marmot: I hope they go to some exotic locales in Season 2. Like New Jersey.

Manatee: Or Florida?

Marmot: Oh, your home state! Maybe you'll be on the show.

Manatee: I'd be a great guest star! Or recurring. But I demand above scale and green M & Ms in my dressing tank.

Marmot: I think Ex-Girlfriend Chorus will make it on the show. It's very visual, with the chorus and all.

Manatee: I hope for some great new songs, in the vain of Boom! I hope they do not have creative issues. Most of their songs in Season 1 came from their 'stand up' act. There has been a lot of time in between the 2 seasons. I have to admit, I was hoping to hear a little more new music at the concert.

Marmot: I think it may be a while before we get season 2, unfortunately. They're committed to do it once they have solid songs, and they did in season one - but those songs were around for years. The ones they've written since then are probably no more than a few months old, and they need time to develop.

Manatee: They definitely go a different route than say, SNL. But that's a good thing. I was thinking the concert could serve as a barometer - if the songs were on the right track. We'll see. Their My Space page eludes to a January 2009 airdate, so that is actually not that far away since HBO films all their episodes before airing any.