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The world of music is often dominated by arguments over artistic creativity and value. Hipsters cling to their indie bands, frat boys rock out to Jack Johnson and 14-year-old girls swoon over the Jonas Brothers. Each will be able to defend their respective artists’ creative potential but can hardly ever appreciate the other side.
But, what happens when it’s blatantly obvious that the artists don’t take themselves seriously? Perhaps it takes this type of attitude for everyone to love their music.
There are many who wouldn’t be caught dead listening to T-Pain’s auto tuned R and B stylings, but put him in a song with two nerdy white guys rapping about boats and you’ve got YouTube gold, not to mention a chart-topping album.
The Lonely Island, who released their debut album “Incredibad” about a week ago, are the latest and greatest in a series of standout comedic musicians. Consisting of Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer (all Saturday Night Live staff members), their ability to satirize popular music is uncanny. They can make hilariously ridiculous music that at the same time is really good. “Jizz in my Pants,” is incredibly catchy and danceable, while “I’m on a Boat,” the song referenced earlier, could easily be blaring down at the 103 Ultra Lounge.
Obviously these guys aren’t claiming to make artistically deep and beautiful music, and that’s precisely why it is so interesting and their music is so good. The Lonely Island have been making stuff like this for years. A quick trip to their YouTube channel reveals old gems like “Just 2 Guyz” and “Ka-Blamo!” Not to mention their works on SNL like “Dick in a Box” and “Lazy Sunday” – both of which are on the album.
Along with them, other comedic artists are doing the same thing. The Flight of the Conchords are perhaps more lyrically proficient than The Lonely Island and some of their songs like “Business Time” have become ingrained right into pop culture. If you ask anyone what “business socks” are, they will probably be able to tell you.
And who can forget about Tenacious D? These guys play upon rock ‘n’ roll stereotypes to a degree that, is at times, overwhelming. Their songs like “Tribute” and “F–k Her Gently” even landed them a major motion picture, where they battled the devil himself.
It really begs the question about how much one’s artistic intentions matter. While not quite the same thing, the success of the fictional metal band Dethklok from Cartoon Network’s show “Metalocalypse” cannot be ignored. Metal songs are often about mystical or less serious subjects, and the songs of this fictional band stand up against other modern artists in the genre. There is even a Dethklok tour where real musicians play the music while cartoons play in the foreground.
Perhaps the grandfather of all this satirical music, though, is Weird Al Yankovic. He laid the foundation for the work artists like The Lonely Island are doing and is still active himself.
One of the greatest things about the musical world is that it is so expansive. Niches exist for every genre imaginable. There is plenty of room for everyone to co-exist. Often when people are taking their music seriously, they can’t see that. I guess it takes things like Justin Timberlake putting his penis inside a box for people to realize music is still fun.
Bangor Daily News