CD Review: Strong Bad Sings

Seth

So among the multitude of Homestar Runner-related Christmas gifts I received was the CD Strong Bad Sings and Other Type Hits. The “music” is a collection of extended versions of songs from the site and original music by characters and others referenced on the site.

Here’s the full tracklisting:

  1. Trogdor — Homestar Runner
  2. The System Is Down — Strong Bad
  3. Strong Badia Anthem — Strong Bad f/Ms. Partsmatter’s 1st Grade Class
  4. Oh Yeah Yeah — Marzipan
  5. Because It’s Midnite — Limozeen
  6. Circles — The Kinda Long-Haired Band
  7. Let’s Get Started On Doing All Those Awesome Things I Suggested — Strong Bad
  8. Moving Very Slowly — Taranchula
  9. Sweet Cuppin’ Cakes Theme Song — The Cast Of Sweet Cuppin Cakes
  10. I Think I Have A Chance With This Guy — What’s-Her-Face
  11. It’s Like It Was Meant To Be — Strong Bad
  12. Nite Mamas — Limozeen
  13. Sensitive To Bees — Marzipan f/Strong Bad
  14. You’ve Got A Ugly And Stupid Butt — Strong Bad
  15. These Peoples Try To Fade Me — Coach Z
  16. The Ladies In Town All Know My Name — Strong Bad
  17. The Theme From Dangeresque II: This Time It’s Not Dangeresque I — Strong Bad
  18. Somebody Told Me (Now I Believe Them) — Strong Bad
  19. The Cheat Is Not Dead — Strong Bad, Strong Sad, And Strong Mad
  20. Everybody To The Limit (Live) — Strong Bad

Where the album works best is in the remixes of Strong Bad Email songs like Trogdor, The Theme From Dangeresque II: This Time It’s Not Dangeresque I, The Cheat Is Not Dead and The System Is Down. Other standouts are the faux hair metal ballads of Limozeen and Taranchula’s awesome Moving Very Slowly.

The original stuff that falls flat are the character-driven songs that haven’t appeared online before, songs like These Peoples Try To Fade Me. They’re funny and (mostly) brief, but they don’t carry the same kind of weight as the “classics” that bookend the CD.

Overall, I think the CD works because the Brothers Chaps have completely embraced their source materials and the characters they’ve created. It’s funny either because of the sincerity of it all or the ironic lack of sincerity – I can never tell which.

In either case, 9 bucks for a CD that will support one of the coolest internet phenomenons (and local Atlanta products) has to be a good thing.

Leave a Reply