Garfunkel and Oates

'Things White People Like' had some informative comments on the subject of musical comedy - that you can combine not-very-good jokes and not-very-good music and get something that's a little bit entertaining. A justified viewpoint I think, considering how much crap out there gets passed for comedy. That said, I have a recommendation to make, and in the full knowledge that premature recommendations are like premature ejaculations in that they're always embarrassing afterward, let me just put in a plug for Garfunkel and Oates.

The folk-comedy duo (are there any other sort? besides Primus, the occasionally likeable funk-metal comedy band) consisting of Kate Micucci and Riki Lindhome (of Million Dollar Baby fame) plumb the depths of domestic agony ('Present Face') and the ins and outs (well mostly outs) of working-class love with tunes that are much more than send-ups of some well-hated musical cliche. The vocal style invokes Blink-182, and the lyrical style is pure punk in its considered, rhythmic pedantry. These are pretty good jokes framed with actually-very-good music, making it a comedy band that's listenable as a bona-fide band, and to prove it they've written some serious tunes which are impressive in their scope and lyricism ('Silver Lining').

How about that, a comedy band transcends the tired send-ups of pop music with some actual skill. Props - and tell the Flight of the Conchords that their loser schtick is getting old - write some tunes, yo?

Also - that Kate Micucci is a real talent. One to watch.

adam