However, Fighting Clowns is sad and lame. A political album based on the Ford/Carter presidential race does not age well.
But the “Billville” song is good.
I’ve seen almost all of their most popular albums on CD at the local Borders.
I’m shocked that I’m the only one to mention “Everything you know is wrong.” Very funny album. Very easy to follow. Many of their stock tricks are introduced in easy to follow ways. I know some people consider it too simplistic but it still is very funny. Right?
I disagree. Their art was much more carefully constructed studiocraft than anything the Dead (a very arty jam band whose peak was in performance, not in the studio) ever did. More like Pink Floyd (as Simbelmyne already mentioned) or the Beatles–very carefully constructed organic audio works of art where previous comedy lps consisted principally of standup routines.
Another vote for Don’t Crust That Dwarf and How Can You Be in Two Places at Once. Though I get all misty-eyed and nostalgic listening to any of 'em,
“…and from that day forward I will have no son.”
“He’s not your son, Fred.”
“Stop torturing me, Ethel.”
::koeeoaddi ambles off in search of groat cakes::
I agree that Nick Danger is a good place to start, since it stands on its own. But the full side of the first album (Waiting for the Electrician,) the non-Nick side of the second, Don’t Crush that Dwarf and Bozos are all one story, with one beginning where the other left off. Not Insane actually starts at the end of Bozos, but it is inferior.
I happen to like Bozos next after Dwarf. Perhaps it loses something for those who never attended a Worlds Fair - it is a perfect parody.
And, who but Firesign could do a computer hacking story in 1972. The computer’s words, many of them, are DEC-10 console messages. That was the computer used for AI work back then. I just listened to it again, and it is amazing how well it stood up.
In 1970, when I was in college, the poor pizza guys probably wondered why everyone in Cambridge Mass ordered a “pizza to go with no anchovies.” By the way, if you play the part where Nick answers the phone and the part where George Tirebiter makes the call together, they line up perfectly.
Anyone else hear them on Fresh Air - where they took over, and hardly let Teri Gross say a word?
Voyager - who got to see Proctor and Bergman live!
I believe it was said in the context of their being a somewhat obscure group with a legion of diehard fans.
It’s been too long! I’m getting some today, all I have now is Bozos and it’s on vinyl.
Bozos is good but as I remember it was tied to the absurdity of Nixon.(been a looong time)
Well, thank folks. I’m just gonna jyst go down the funway, back to the shadows again, you know where I can pee in the stream!
And that’s important!
Oh man, it’s been too many years since I heard theis stuff. Upon reading this thread I immediately went to my Favorite On-line Retailer and ordered HCYBITPAO and DCTD,HMTP. I, and my Favorite On-line Retailer, thank you.
"Welcome to side six. "
<snicker snicker> I gotta dig these out.
“excuse me sir, but is this your bar of soap?”
“Um, no.”
“As we thought.”
“Sign here, sir”
“and here…”
“and here…”
“and here…”
“and here…”
“and here…”
“and here…”
“and here…”
“Thank you.”