Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
His finest album in 25 years, 5 Oct 2007
Reading the review below you have to wonder how many Loudon Wainright III albums he's actually listened to. In his time LW III has written the two most resonant songs about the death of a parent - his father Loudon Wainwright Junior in 'Sometimes I Forget' (on the album History) and his mother in 'Homeless' (on the album Last Man On Earth). My advice? Wait until your mother dies. Listen to Homeless. And sob into you loudspeakers. I did.
Strange Weirdos is just wonderful, a huge range of songs, and for a welcome change, some arrangements that really let the songs shine their brightest.
Having amassed something like 20 Loudo albums, this is the one I've played the most repeatedly. Collaboration is obviously good for him.
'You Can't Fail Me' now doesn't have the emotional wrench of 'Homeless' but it's a fantastic song. Other stuff that might get you hooked - the upbeat 'X or Y', the slightly Cajun 'Passion Play' the slightly indulgent 'Grey in LA' and thefamiliar 'Strange Weirdos'.
Most Loudonesque moment on the album: "everyone looks ancient at your high school reunion."
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14 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Irony Is In Loudon's Sense Of Irony, 27 May 2007
Among the long roster of lyricists who dabble in humor and irony, Loudon Wainwright III doesn't rank among the heavyweights.He's too novel for that, as you'd expect from a guy who wrote "Dead Skunk in the Middle of the Road." His words lack the punch of a satirist like Randy Newman, his jokes the urbane-light wit of someone like Lyle Lovett. When he gets sanguine about a person or place, Wainwright again falls short of, say, Paul Simon on a good day or Tom Waits on a bad one" Timothy Finn.
That said, this is one of Loudon Wainwright's best CD's. This is a soundtrack album from the film 'Knocked Up" , about parenthood and it is put together a little like life. A mix of old, pesent, new and future. You forget this is a film soundtrack, it is vivid, humorous and honest. Parenthood is mentioned as is aging, suburban discussions and California dreamin. Loudon has a great band and a producer backing him up. The musicians and the way they perform Wainwright's songs are fresh, fun and fantastic. Joe Henry produced, and he wisely took the organic/acoustic route. British guitarist Richard Thompson and : Greg Leisz, David Piltch, Van Dyke Parks. all are part of this great ensemble.
The opening song is my favorite "When it's gray in L.A.", I sure like it that way 'cause there's way too much sunshine round here." an orginal thought that has me smiling. Loudon Wainwright has included songs about commitment 'Final Frontier', 'the number of letters is four, because they are so important, but I could never speak it' ; coming parenthood, a gospel-tinged "X or Y" and parenthood ''Daughter, and a new recording of his insightful 1973 "Lullaby." Loudon is the father of singer-songwriters Martha, Lucy and Rufus Wainwright. There's also a funny look at a midlife crisis, "Doin' the Math" 'crunchin' the numba-everyone's ancient at your high school reunion'. 'Valley Morning' is a wry take "But life is a movie out here in the Valley/What else were we all thinking of?" The most poetic of them all is 'Wierdos'- 'isn't it strange that two weirdos can wind up feeling not so weird- If I let you know me than why would you want me, isn't it great that two people can tear down one wall-Isn't it sad that most people can stay so lonely -it starts with a sentence 'if I let you know me, than why would you want me?" The last song 'Passion Play'- 'it's a wonder, it's a miracle it turned out this way/ what was I afraid of/it's ok, now I am not alone but standin' here with you'. Everything turns around and comes around.
"Loudon Wainwright III's Strange Weirdos: Music From and Inspired by the Motion Picture Knocked Up is a great conversation starter. Not to mention the unusual title, the music itself is reminiscent of John Hiatt or even Jackson Browne. With catchy melodies and songs about the ordinary, this CD could easily be the soundtrack of a day in the life of, well, anyone." Juliet Farmar
Loudon Wainwrgiht may be the farther of a distinguised children of talent, but he can hold his own. His voice never changes. He is the leader of the likes of David Grey. This is a CD of life and what has been and what is to come. Highly Recommended. prisrob 5-27-07
T Shirt/Final Exam
The Last Man on Earth
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Best for a while, 26 Aug 2009
I've been a fan of LW III for many years and expect something from the words and music. Usually the expectation is rewarded with a round of honesty and insight. That is present in this compilation and is in some ways a return to previous levels of musical and lyrical quality. Enjoyable in a somewhat sad way at times, like the master knows.
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~ Loudon Wainwright III
~ Loudon Wainwright III
~ Loudon Wainwright III
~ Loudon Wainwright III
~ Loudon Wainwright III
