Fake Songs

Sifl and Olly creator/co-writer Liam Lynch makes his recording debut with Fake Songs, and it's a hilarious effort loaded with satirical song parodies and rock & roll spoofs. Tenacious D is funny, but Liam Lynch is a riot. "SOS" kicks things off with a Dead Milkmen meet the New York Dolls swagger, showcasing Lynch's punk-inspired style of playing. Vocally, he's got that lazy, nonchalant drawl and it's pretty freakin' cool. But as Fake Songs takes shape, Lynch vocally stretches things out all over the place and switches tempo in order to suit a specific character in each song. His many characters of Kiki, Officer Leroy, and the girl at the pool hall are introduced in the sock-puppet favorite "United States of Whatever," an absolute standout that crassly makes fun of American youth in its own self-deprecating kind of way. NME loved it so much, they hailed it as one of their Singles of the Week in November 2002. Lynch's "fake songs" are equally entertaining; from his sour Frank Black impression on "Colleen" to the artsy lift of David Bowie's "Space Oddity" on "Eclipse Me," Lynch's presentation is right on. Tenacious D's Jack Black joins Lynch for the arena-sized "Rock and Roll Whore"; together, the two make for a rowdy good time with their lack of seriousness layered around high-pitched crooning. Ex-Beatle Ringo Starr guest stars on the drum kit on "Cuz You Do" for a candied, Kinks-like love song, but it's Lynch's gospel-blues imitation on "Electrician's Day" that truly captures his many faces of criticizing white, corporate America. Fake Songs doesn't do anything drastic on a comedic level, but fans of Sifl and Olly will enjoy Lynch's effort. [A bonus DVD features over 90 minutes of previously unreleased home movies and behind the scenes footage. The never-before-seen video for "United States of Whatever" is available for the first time as well.]