titan45's Full Review: Chef Aid: The South Park Album [Edited] by Origina...
Ozzy Osbourne, System of a Down, Joe Strummer, DMX, Perry Farrell, Primus, Devo, Rick James, Wyclef Jean, Rancid, Ween, Elton John, Meatloaf, Chef, Ol' Dirty B*stard, The Crystal Method, Master P, P. Diddy, and Lil' Kim all on the same album? What is this, the second coming of World Aid?
No....it's Chef Aid.
One of the most musically-inclined shows on television is none other than South Park. Beyond Les Claypool's rendition of the South Park theme song, the show is based around great music. Heck, the South Park movie was an awesome musical itself. Few shows give as much attention to music as Matt and Trey do on the show. So it would seem only natural that they would release an album of songs from the show and inspired by the show.
Chef Aid grew out of an episode by the same name, where artists hold a concert to support Chef, who got sued for trying to sue Alanis Morissette over the lyrics to the song "Stinky Britches". As you will notice, the whole album is carried out like a live album, with the crowd cheering and with Chef introducing the various acts and songs. But enough backstory...let's get to the songs.
Like any good South Park episode, Chef Aid kicks off with Les Claypool's South Park theme song, followed by...
Nowhere to Run
Performedby Ozzy Osbourne, DMX & 'Ol Dirty Bastard/ Music by Crystal Method with Fuzzbubble
Ozzy and DMX and ODB? It's a strange mix, but this rap/rock song kicks off the album on a raw note. The Crystal Method lays down a hardcore beat laced with guitar licks with big beats pounding on in the background. DMX and Ozzy Osbourne trade verses for the majority of the song. The two have a strange chemistry going on in the song, and Crystal Method's rock/techno beat adds to the fun of the song. It's fast, furious, and an excellent rock/rap song if you can believe that. 'Ol Dirty Bastard's entrance ruins the end of the song...his speaking is insanely annoying, and his rapping is sloppy and bad. Still, Ozzy and DMX make this song worth your while, and thankfully ODB is at the end to make for easy skipping.
Chocolate Salty Balls
Performed by Chef
From the episode of the same name, this song has loads of innuendo, and is a funk song sung by Isaac Hayes (known as Chef on the show). By far his best number on the album, Hayes is no stranger to sexual innuendo, and the song begins in his well known fashion. The song really picks up as Chef yells "Suck on my chocolate salty balls!". The song is just hilarious, as the balls aren't what you think they are...but you figured that already. Owww...baby you just burnt my balls! Usually music and humor don't really mix that well, but here the music is also extremely catchy and well done. The bass/drum/guitar interplay is near perfect and the whole band is in sync with each other, making the music energetic and the rhythym all too catchy. And the song also has a distinct jazzy feel with some well-utilized horns, trumpets, and a piano. Without a doubt, one of the best songs on the entire album.
Brad Logan
Performed by Rancid
Rancid sings a fast-paced punk rock song that sounds very much like something off their album ...And Out Come the Wolves, and if you're familiar with their work, then you will love this song. Lars Fredriksen handles vocals this time around, and the guitar work is once again excellent as is Matt Freeman's bass playing. The riffs are a mix of power chords and riffs that sound like something off a Beach Boys album, making for a head-bobbing riff. And even better yet, Isaac Hayes joins in towards the end of the song...yes, Rancid AND Isaac Hayes. How much better can it get?
Come Sail Away
Performed by Eric Cartman
This song made famous by the episode "Cartman's Mom is Still A Dirty Slut", where whenever someone says the words "Come Sail Away with Me", Cartman is forced to sing "Come Sail Away" in full. This is obviously a joke that only South Park fans will get, but seeing as South Park fans will be the only ones picking this up, it's definitely a highlight track. First, it's absolutely hilarious, and secondly, it's got Cartman singing a Styx ballad. You wouldn't believe me if I told you that this was an awesome song, but just take one listen and be won over by Cartman's amazing singing voice.
Kenny's Dead
Performed by Master P
Kenny gets a tribute song by Master P, a mildly funny track with some nice music. The music is dominated by some simple but effective bass/drum interplay. The chorus is pretty funny, featuring background singers singing "Kenny's Dead...that's what I said...". While it's nothing special, it's still a good listen and mildly funny for fans of the show.
Simultaneous
Performed by Chef
"Just you, and me, and her, simultaneously!"....Chef is back on the mic with another funk song with a deceptive message that you'll be sure to pick up on. Chef sings about having sex with more than one girl at the same time, backed up by some impressive jazzy, funky music. The piano interludes are again impressive and give this song a head-bobbing, energetic feel to it. The music and Chef's lyrics together make for another highlight track that's as funny as it is catchy.
Will They Die 4 You?
Performed by P. Diddy, Lil' Kim, and System of a Down
Another strange mix of artists, P. Diddy and Lil' Kim rap to the tune of System of a Down in this one. The real saving grace of this song is System of a Down, who offers some bouncy bass dominated riffs during the verses, and some impressive hard rock riffs on the chorus. P. Diddy and Lil' Kim's raps range from decent to just awful, but thankfully S.O.A.D is there to bail them out with some powerhouse riffs and background vocals.
Hot Lava
Performed By Perry Farrell and D.V.D.A
Matt and Trey get on their instruments and join up with Perry Farrell (lead singer of Jane's Addiction) to create the absolute best song on the album, at least for me. A mix of techno, rock n' roll, and just plain funk, this "cover" of yet another Chef song has that rare ability to impress just about anyone. Being as it's a Chef song, you'll probably know the theme and recognize the innuendos....and there's also a section where Perry Farrell tells us all about the scientific properties of Lava. Weird, wacky, and catchy as hell, this song, for lack of better words, kicks serious a*s. The rock n' roll riffs backed by some impressive bass works and hard-hitting drums makes from some awesome music.
Bubblegoose
Performed by Wyclef Jean featuring Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny
This laid-back reggae song features great singing by Wyclef Jean and even great singing by Stan and the crew. The group fights during the song, making it quite funny as well. Jean's simple, laid back beat and vocals make this another awesome song. Wyclef Jean is joined by the kids on the chorus, which is actually really catchy. Oh, and "This ISN'T Mac 10!".
No Substitute
Performed by Chef
Chef's next song trades in the energetic rhythym section of his past few efforts for a slower song that starts off with some analogies of Humming Birds doing the deed, as Chef sings his love song about making sweet love to Kathie Lee, a joke dating back to the first season of the show. Another very funny song, especially the part where Chef becomes his own backup singer, which almost had me in tears the first time. Another great Chef song.
Wake Up Wendy
Performed by Elton John
Elton John sings some blues for Stan's girlfriend Wendy, an ultra-catchy song that is definitely one of the best in the album, both musically and lyrically. It's not humorous like the other songs, but instead is one of the most musically impressive of the album. The piano notes take over the jazzy verses, while the whole band chimes in on chorus. Elton John's vocals hit new levels of awesomeness (yeah, I know it's not a word), and they fit this song perfectly. It's hard to describe how awesome the musicianship is on this song, but it's without a doubt one of the best songs I've heard in a while, nevermind on the album.
Horny
Performed by Mousse T. Vs. Hot N' Juicy
This song is absolutely HILARIOUS. The song itself sucks, but that's the great part about it. The song begins with a phone convo between Matt and his agent who wants to put an absolutely crappy song on the Chef Aid album because it's the craze in Europe. Despite his attempts, Matt and Trey refuse. This club song has horrible lyrics and just plain sucks, but again that's why its so great. The intercut conversation between Matt/Trey and their agent makes the song, as the agent yells "Ohhhh yeahhh!" at random points in the song. "They're singing horny horny horny...but it's actually a metaphor...for being horny! Brilliant!!". This song should be listened to just for the phone convo. Without a doubt the funniest moment on the album. I had to go through it a couple times so I could listen to it without laughing through all the jokes.
Huboon Stomp
Performed by Devo
Devo's brand of wacky techno and rock rage through here, featuring some nice drumming, and some wacky singing from Mark Mothersbaugh. It's not quite amazing, but it's catchy and wacky, and like all the other songs in this album, extremely fun. Chef once again joins in this song as well, adding to the level of craziness.
Love Gravy
Performed by Rick James
Rick James takes over for Chef on another Chef song. James's voice is just a bit higher than Haye's voice, almost as if Chef was singing this song 10 years earlier. The song, like the other Chef numbers, features insanely catchy funky music, but this time there's more focus on the guitar riffs. This is a Chef song, so you'll know what Love Gravy means, and you'll know that there's more innuendos here than in an Austin Powers movie.
Feel Like Makin' Love
Performed by Ned Gerblanski
Like Cartman's performance of "Come Sail Away", this song is more about the singer than the song. The guitar riffs during the chorus make this more impressive musically than Cartman's song, but of course it's Ned and his voice box that make this song. Just for those who don't know, Ned's voice box has been completely removed and replaced by a "cancer kazoo", which he uses here. Just to hear Ned singing "I Feel Like Making Love!" is worth the price of admission alone. Isaac Hayes joins in on the hard rocking chorus to bail out Ned.
The Rainbow
Performed by Ween
"There's many colors in the homo rainbow, don't be afraid to let your color shine...". These lyrics will give you a pretty good taste of what the song is all about. An extremely catchy beat leads the way for this number, along with a well utilized acoustic guitar that works in with the electric. A catchy mid-tempo song that's pretty funny too.
Tonight is Right for Love
Performed by Meatloaf and Chef
Chef starts the song as a love ballad, but the hilarity kicks in when Meatloaf turns the love song into a wild over the top rock song, as Chef has to continiously stop Meatloaf. A short but very funny song.
It's a Rockin' World
Performed by Joe Strummer
Joe Strummer kicks in with an upbeat, catchy anthem filled with some seriously cool piano work and great riffs to boot. Strummer adds in a serious punch with his vocal delivery, as this song steals the show concerning the last quarter of the album. A great song with a simple message, this one is definitely a keeper.
Mephesto and Kevin
Performed by Primus
Les Claypool and his twisted sense of humor shine through on this song that details the life & times of the best minor characters on the show, none other than Mephesto and Kevin. This one requires more than one listen, as you'll have to take a few listens to get the whole story on these characters as told by Claypool. Also, the song features Kevin actually singing, which is pretty interesting. The music is of course, is led by Claypool's bass playing, as guitarist Larry LaLonde and drummer Tim Alexander also contribute some nice riffs and beats. Chef joins in on the chorus, pulling the whole song together. Hilarious and catchy as most of the songs on this album, this yet another highlight.
The album finishes with a techno medley of sound clips from the show, as the Chef Aid concert comes to an end. Not exactly a grand opus of a closer, but still a funny song that features many voices from the show.
The tracklisting for the album, as you can see, is extremely solid, except that there is one key song missing. That would be Chef's version of "Stinky Britches". It would have been funny to see Chef perform it on the album, as it was an ongoing joke during Season 2. First Alanis Morisette, then Marilyn Manson performed it. Also, there's no Johnnie Cochran or label exec from the show. These are just a few nitpicks I have, but really speaking it doesn't bother me much at all. I mean, I still sleep at night :)
Chef Aid is one of those rare albums that can mix humor and great musicianship together. Usually it's one or the other, but with this album you get some seriously good music with some seriously funny music. While people won't take it as a serious album because it's South Park, the album features music that would just plain kick the sh*t out of some of the stuff passing for music right now. Not only the lineup of popular artists, but the lively and energetic performances as well make this one of the best soundtracks ever. South Park fans will love the jokes, and others will love the music. Sure there's no Johnnie Cochran, and there's no version of Chef's "Stinky Britches", but that's pretty much the only downside to this album, which as you can tell is not much of a con really.
And to close this review, I ask you:
Kick a*s music and South Park? How can you go wrong with this one?
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