Hooray for Boobies

Hooray for Boobies
by: michael r. smith

David Geffen has officially lost his mind. In signing the Bloodhound Gang to his label, he has reached an all-time low when it comes to taste and discretion. That being said, you can just imagine how popular this band is quickly becoming. Any CD emblazoned with the ever-controversial Parental Advisory label is an almost guaranteed hit. And this particular album has not one, but two stickers issuing a warning of its offensive content. This, my friends, is a sad but true sign of the times that we are currently living in.

As the New Millennium's answer to the Beastie Boys, these guys are crude, misogynistic and just plain angry. The fact that the majority of their songs are catchy as hell, only adds fuel to the fire. What it all adds up to is an imminent white flag for parents and a goldmine for the record industry. With their lead single, "The Bad Touch", MTV, Billboard Magazine and radio are already paying attention. The song is the best of the bunch on their hilariously titled, Hooray for Boobies release and is reminiscent of the 80's "The Safety Dance" by Men Without Hats, but with even cleverer lyrics. Most people hearing the song for the first time will think "Let's Do it Like They Do on the Discovery Channel" is the title, which is probably why the single comes with a different sticker that includes this tip-off phrase.

If you can get past the obnoxious hacking (both sampling and bodily) and the gutter language, you will find a danceable and need I say...fun...album. This is THE party album of the year. There hasn't really been one this good to hit fraternity row since the Beasties' License to Ill. You might have to watch who you play certain tracks around, which leaves about half the tracks out of the question. But the first two are fine, as well three in a row starting with "The Bad Touch". The guiltiest pleasures are "Mope", "Right Turn Clyde" and the worst culprit of all, "A Lap Dance is Better When the Stripper is Crying". Yes, you read correctly.

After seeing the hysterical "Bad Touch" video on MTV (where they are dressed as monkeys doing what else...monkeying around), I knew it was going to be a hit. What I didn't know is how big of a hit it would be. It turns out the song has already been #1 in Germany, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Austria. Once again, the US is a little behind the 8 ball when it comes to discovering the latest big thing. The album is turning in platinum sales all over the globe as well. The talent of the Bloodhound Gang is in the speed of their lyrical delivery (though the vocal is extremely monotone) and how you can't help but laugh in shock by the nerve of these five virtual unknowns. If you want to hear something REALLY funny, just listen to the botched out-takes starting on hidden track #47.

Flat-out, no-holds-barred, Desperation with a capital D is what makes this CD such a treasure and is why it gets 3 out of 5. Just don't tell your mother I said so. Feb-2000