Hooray For Boobies

Bloodhound Gang

Geffen Records, 2000

http://www.bloodhoundgang.com

REVIEW BY: Alfredo Narvaez

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 09/15/2000

There are bands who spend years (even decades) busting their humps and mastering their instruments before a label will take a look at them. The list of artists who had to suffer through hunger and cold and long trips and no money is never-ending. This cuts the wheat from the chaff -- forcing those who are truly determined to triumph to not give up. At the same time, bands end up using this period to create their own, unique, sounds and voices. Still, being original and great do not guarantee you success. Even longer is the list of artists who never made it. They were intent in creating music from their hearts and making something new and original that would touch people and create change.

Then, there's the Bloodhound Gang. Musical artistry? No. Originality? Nope. Integrity? None whatsoever.

Imagine if you took the Beastie Boys, the Jerky Boys and the outtakes from Howard Stern's show (the one with the transsexual midget that loves lesbians) and you got the gist of everything the Bloodhound Gang is trying to say. The group, fronted by the one-two vocal punch of Jimmy Pop Ali and Lupus Thünder, has nothing to offer save rude jokes, bad visuals and disgusting lyrics.

I liked it.

After striking some minor airplay with their indie label single, "Fire Water Burn," the Gang had been picked up by DGC -- the second time they were on a major label after Columbia dropped them. Hooray For Boobies was their debut album on DGC and it had to wait for release here on the States due to the titles on two songs! If one thing is clear is that Pop, Lupus, bassist Evil Jared Hasselhoff, drummer Willie the New Guy and newcomer DJ Q-Ball are all intent on getting their label sued by everyone under the sun. That ought to teach them!

The album kicks off with the funny and amusing "I Hope You Die," which tackles all those fantasies we have for those people we dislike. Featuring Nerfherder's Parry on guest vocals, this is the kind of song that the Gang easily churns out - quick modern references, double entendres (a game called "Balls On Chin"?) and a hard rock edge mixed with their funky jams. Other neo-classics in this vein include "The Inevitable Return Of The Great White Dope" (which isn't about coke) and the album closer "Along Comes Mary." Also include their second single, "Mope," which, for a song about nothing, manages to mix samples from Duran Duran, Metallica and Falco. (BTW, Jimmy Pop's dedication at the start of "Mope" to Falco is hilarious).my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

Of course, I can't forget to talk about "The Bad Touch," which is fast became a hit thanks to the funny video and to the line "You and me, baby, ain't nothing but mammals/So let's do it like they do it on the Discovery Channel." What I found most amusing is that, while very danceable and funny, the music reminded me of old disco.

Besides that you have some very minimalistic songs that sound like, of all bands, Cake. Songs like "Take The Long Way Home," "Right Turn Clyde" (which borrows "Another Brick In The Wall" for its chorus) and "Hell Yeah." You gotta like the attitude and the meanings behind some of these songs. I mean, "Hell Yeah," according to Jimmy, is about not trusting a Phish fan with your eternal salvation. Gotta laugh at that.

Meanwhile, they also take some softer turns like "A Lap Dance Is So Much Better When The Stripper Is Crying," which could count as their country song. Also include here "The Ballad Of Chasey Lain," where the band desires to do something to the notorious adult star. While it would have been nice if they had tried for something deeper, the song is amusing. Even funnier is her response in "R.S.V.P." I'd wager that would be the response for most of us. (This, by the way, ends up being the funniest skit out of the ones they have in the whole album.)

Missteps? A few. Appropriately enough, they were the ones that held the album's release back here in the States. One is "Three Point One Four," which was originally titled "Vagina." While it is funny trying to find out what words can rhyme with vagina, the song is sophomoric and idiotic -- even for their standards. "Yummy Down On This" is ingenious in its verses, but the loud chorus brings it way down. And "Magna Cum Nada" has a weird sound and a strange chorus. Not bad, just not as good as the others.

Nevertheless, kudos have to go out to the entire band. They're able to bring in as many references to pop culture ( Party of Five, Bo Jackson, Chasey Lain, etc) and their musical chops are on most of the time. What's so incredible is that they work so damn hard at coming up with the kind of songs that will offend everyone around them. Imagine if they were trying to do this for some higher purpose. (Nah, wouldn't work!)

Hooray For Boobies is the kind of album that you put on to annoy your parents, in-laws, neighbors, pastors, spouses, and possibly your own children. It's rude, crude and offensive. If you can get past all of that, you will find an amusing and funny album. Therefore, avoid it if you can't stomach foul language. Still, this is one of those albums that you will enjoy if you like rude and annoying music.

Rating: B+

User Rating: Not Yet Rated


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© 2000 Alfredo Narvaez and The Daily Vault. All rights reserved. Review or any portion may not be reproduced without written permission. Cover art is the intellectual property of Geffen Records, and is used for informational purposes only.