The Upcoming
  • Cinema & Tv
    • Movie reviews
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Show reviews
  • Music
    • Live music
  • Food & Drinks
    • News & Features
    • Restaurant & bar reviews
    • Interviews & Recipes
  • Theatre
  • Art
  • Travel & Lifestyle
  • Literature
  • Fashion & Beauty
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

CultureMusicAlbum reviews

“Weird Al” Yankovic – Mandatory Fun

“Weird Al” Yankovic – Mandatory Fun | Album review
24 July 2014
Lauren Shean
Avatar
Lauren Shean
24 July 2014

Music review

Lauren Shean

Mandatory Fun

★★★★★

Release date

15th July 2014

Highlights

Handy, Word Crimes, NOW That's What I Call Polka!

Links

Twitter Facebook Website

“Weird Al” seems to be everywhere right now, following his distinct appearance in hit YouTube channel Epic Rap Battles of History. As the title of his album suggests, fun is certainly something that is expected from listeners as we enjoy every song on offer. From parodies to big hits, such as Fancy and Royals, Weird Al’s latest collection is witty and enjoyable.

Opening track Handy is a clever way to introduce this collection as his take on Iggy Azalea’s Fancy is a sure summer hit that many will enjoy being spoofed. His clever wit and attention to detail is most evident in his standout song Word Crimes, a brilliant satire on Robin Thicke’s massive but controversial hit Blurred Lines. It is intellectually smart, yet doesn’t seem pretentious or over-worked. Whilst many may be sick of the infectious beat of the original, Yankovic’s brilliant take on it is sure to delight listeners of many ages, as well as, of course, putting across an important message about the English language.

Other major tracks can be seen in NOW That’s What I Call Polka! which contains an array of smash hits that listeners are bound to recognise. Yankovic portrays songs in a peculiar way that you wouldn’t necessarily think would work, yet he proves that an untraditional technique works in his niche. As the album progresses, his comedy never fails to amuse as he spoofs other chart numbers such as Imagine Dragon’s Radioactive in Inactive, and Pharrell Williams’ Happy in Tacky. Yankovic has created a masterpiece that is both humorous and intelligent, and his vocals and productions are completely on-point. Mandatory Fun will no doubt impress many!

★★★★★

Lauren Shean

Madatory Fun was released on 15th July 2014. For further information or to order the album visit the album’s website here.

Watch the video for Word Crimes here: 

Related Itemscomedy albumcomedy musicmandatory funreviewweird alweird al yankovic

More in Album reviews

Lykke Li – EYEYE

★★★★★
Georgia Howlett
Read More

Florence and the Machine – Dance Fever

★★★★★
Ronan Fawsitt
Read More

Warpaint – Radiate Like This

★★★★★
Catherine Sedgwick
Read More

Arcade Fire – We

★★★★★
Ronan Fawsitt
Read More

Blossoms – Ribbon Around the Bomb

★★★★★
Georgia Howlett
Read More

Memorial – Memorial

★★★★★
Mae Trumata
Read More

Fontaines DC – Skinty Fia

★★★★★
Jasper Watkins
Read More

Girlpool – Forgiveness

★★★★★
Charlie Peters
Read More

Patrick Watson – Better in the Shade

★★★★★
Catherine Sedgwick
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap

Music review

Lauren Shean

Mandatory Fun

★★★★★

Release date

15th July 2014

Highlights

Handy, Word Crimes, NOW That's What I Call Polka!

Links

Twitter Facebook Website

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • My Fair Lady at the London Coliseum
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • The Father and the Assassin at the National Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Plan 75
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • More than Ever (Plus que Jamais)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Warpaint at the Roundhouse
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Domingo and the Mist (Domingo y la Niebla)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Tori and Lokita
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Moonage Daydream
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Stephen Fry enters the Radio Times Hall of Fame in conversation with Alan Yentob at the BFI Imax
    Cinema & Tv
  • Layering masters: How to make authentically delicious lasagne
    Food & Drinks
  • Moonage Daydream
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Crimes of the Future
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Decision to Leave (Heojil Kyolshim)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Boy from Heaven (Walad Min Al Janna)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • The Princess of Shoreditch in Shoreditch: “Ruth Hansom will only cook with the freshest and finest”
    Food & Drinks
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why
With the support from:
International driving license

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

Jason Mraz – Yes! | Album review
MTVUK launches Relentless Ultra Presents Soundchain: Kasabian are back