Richard Cheese- Aperitif For Destruction

Richard Cheese's fourth album was released in 2005, a year before the Sunny Side Of The Moon compilation.

For me, the Richard Cheese appeal isn't just the comedic absurdity of his covers, it's that the lounge arrangements are top notch and would hold their head high as "serious" music. Me So Horny, You Oughta Know and Add It Up are great examples of this. In particular, the chorus of Add It Up is absolutely cooking.

Welcome To The Jungle kicks off with a fantastic instrumental opening. The song jumps around a bit, but that can be excused for a comedy song.

Been Caught Stealing doesn't appeal to me as a song, but it's still worth it for the gag about Phil Spectre's gun. Similarly, I'm not really a fan of We Are The World (the original is a very mediocre song IMHO) but the Michael Jackson joke makes it worth it. And Do Me solely exists for the "dome" joke, but I totally dig it.

Sorry to go politically correct here, but I'm a bit uncomfortable with the Stephen Hawking impersonation on The Girl Is Mine.

Rather than being a one-trick pony, the album keeps things fresh with a variety of musical style. Man In The Box pulls off the latin style nicely, which makes for a very amusing juxtaposition to its disturbed lyrics. Speaking of disturbing lyrics, the jazz style makes it obvious how the lyrics of Let's Get It Started are completely ridiculousness. Exhibit A:
Bop your head like epilepsy 
Up inside your club or in your Bentley
Also, the song's melody works really well as a horn line.

The use of a gentle choir for the timeless riff of Enter Sandman is a masterstroke. However, I find the chorus a bit lacklustre and the bass is boomy sounding.

Finally, Somebody Told Me re-arranged as a piano ballad works a treat. I really dig how it makes you realise that the singalong lyrics hidden away in the bouncy original are actually quite dark.

Maybe I'm immature (ok... there's probably no doubt...), but the comedy of hearing "motherfucker" in a smooth lounge style never gets old for me. And this album does a great job to keep this joke fresh for 16 songs.

Favourite songs

Me So Horny, Welcome To The Jungle, Let's Get It Started, Man In The Box, You Oughta Know, Do Me, Add It Up, Somebody Told Me

Worthwhile?

I love Richard Cheese!

(And despite the slight overlap with the compilation album, I'm still glad to own both of them)