February 11th, 2009 
James Shotwell Band: The Lonely Island
Album: Incredibad
Genre: Comedy
Label: Island
Track Listing:
1. Who Said We’re Wack?
2. Santana DVX
3. Jizz In My Pants
4. I’m On A Boat
5. Sax Man
6. Lazy Sunday
7. Normal Guy
8. Boombox
9. Shrooms
10. Like A Boss
11. We Like Sportz
12. Dreamgirl
13. Ras Tent
14. Dick In A Box
15. The Old Saloon
16. Punch You In The Jeans
17. Space Olympics
18. Natalie’s Rap
19. Incredibad
Comedy albums are quite a tricky world to navigate, especially when it is musical comedy. You have to be able to seperate instant laughs for something that you’ll still want to hear in 3 months. I mean, if you’re going to spend $10 or more to buy a record, some longevity is always appreciated. When Andy Samberg and his SNL based comedy troupe, The Lonely Island, announced a record, it was these thoughts that ran through my head. Sure, they’ve made some modern SNL classics, but did we need an album? Well, regardless of its necessity, Incredibad, the group’s first record, is here and it surely deserves a spin [or two].
Incredibad is a mixed album of new and classic material all finally delivered in audio only versions. If you find a deal on this record,t he ability to hear modern SNL classics like, “Lazy Sunday,” “Dick In A Box,” and my personal and long awaited favorite, “Natalie’s Rap [featuring the gorgeous Natalie Portman].” These tracks have all been delivered in crisp and near astounding quality, uncut, and ready to invade your ipod [that is, if you didn’t already have lame web rips of each track courtesy of free programs and Hulu]. It’s actually these tracks that save the album for the most part. Their test of time has proven them to be truly gratifying again and again. they especially pick up the ball dropped by the three [always unnecessary] interludes that are nothing more than single “ha” inducing moments that get old excessively fast.
As far as NEW original content goes, it’s a bit hit and miss. Most of the tracks barely, if ever, crack the two and a half minute mark, but given that this is a comedy record, that’s ok for now. The new single, “I’m On A Boat,” actually sums up the majority of the record perfectly as far as sound and jokes goes. It’s all overblown synth beats with 3oh3! type vocals and various guest appearances. It seems the more broad of a topic the song attempts to cover, the more success the group finds. “Sax Man,” however, a parody of classic jazz performances, is solid gold and only really has one running joke. The appearance of Jack Black is needed for this to be good because his classic Tenacious D style musicianship is what makes it special. However, as the album drags out, “Punch You In The Jeans,” and the painfully unfunny, “Space Olympics,” makes you feel as if the group doesn’t know when a joke needs to be cut or has simply run its course.
In the end, it’s the beats that make Incredibad worth the purchase. Even after the joeks have all grown stale, a solid production value and great use of synth/drum machines gives you the kind of beats high school and college kids blast with their windows down. The Lonely Island have made their own niche in the music world: Crunk Pop kids who truly don’t take themselves seriously. Even to the point they make fun of themselves and what they are doing. However, when it’s all said and done, the waters of Incredibad remain a bit choppy.
*Written By: James Shotwell*
Grade: 6/10
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Cool article , THX !