Richard Cheese Album: “Aperitif For Destruction (Explicit)”

The strange dichotomy that comes out as Richard Cheese (and Lounge Against the Machine) is truly a unique experience that lounge fans will go crazy for. This man and his band have made the pop songs the youth of today know enjoyable for a crowd who otherwise would have disregarded them. He's got the voice of an angel, and the mouth of a sailor (only where appropriate, though). He ranks right up with the best crooners of all time, but in true lounge lizard style, he doesn't take hiself too seriously while he's on the mic (evident on tracks 7, 8, 13, 16... well, pretty much the whole thing). His rendition of "Enter Sandman" on this CD brings elements of a WWII USO show (where the legendary crooners got their start) and evolves right over your speakers to a modern lounge jam you can sip a martini to, all while wearing your best pink tiger-striped velvet tuxedo. If you're a fan of cover music, modern pop, alternative or rap, and lounge, then this fuses these all together in perfect balance. You're never going to know what exactly to expect, except for a jazzy tune you can snap your fingers to, and you probably already know the lyrics. A good time to be had by mature audiences everywhere, baby!

For those not familiar with Richard Cheese, he is a prominent front man and humorous vocalist who pokes fun at modern pop culture doing his own renditions of popular songs. From Guns N' Roses, Green Day, U2 and Michael Jackson, Cheese re-creates the songs in a extremely humorous, novelty lounge style. His best quality is in his delivery. He has a way of being bizarre yet charming.

This album has covers like "Welcome To The Jungle" like you'd never expect to hear it with a full horn section and pianos, as well as the Beastie Boys' "Brass Monkey", Metallica's "Enter Sandman and The Black Eyed Peas "Let's Get It Started" performed in a swinging, bebop jazzy style. It also has a rendition of U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday" in a Latin-rhythm danceable style that is equally entertaining as are all the tracks on the album.

Cheese wastes no time getting into the ever so vulgar explicit lyrics, opening with a jazz take on rap artist 2 Live Crew's "Me So Horny" then later with Slipknot's "People Equals ----" (---- = a word for poop which Amazon doesn't want me to use). However, this album has a brand of humor that can be predictable at times, but it is a perfect record to put on at a dinner party because it is so entertaining.

Richard or Dick Cheese is Frank Sinatra meets Weird Al. If you have a sense of humor, you will love his covers of songs that will bring you back. But the catch of it is that the songs are tired songs but his covers give it that sudden breath of fresh air to make them once again...throw back hug happy!

When I first heard that Dick was going to record a CD of tracks requested by his fans I was very optimistic; there are a lot of songs out there that would be great 'swankified'. Tracks like the 'Mister Sandman' version of Metallica's 'Enter Sandman' just didn't work for me though. Nor did his newly redone version of 2 Live Crew's 'Me So Horny' (if you want a great Hip-Hop track done Lounge style, listen to 'Gin And Juice' from Dick's 'I'd Like A Virgin' CD).

But what boosts the rating of this CD are tracks like 'The Girl Is Mine' (with a very special 'guest' to perform the duet), his Mambo version of 'Sunday Bloody Sunday', the enebriated swan-song of 'Somebody Told Me', and 'Been Caught Stealing' (complete with 'Phil Spector's' reply to the barking dog on the track).

The comedy on the CD is also a plus: the recording artist's tantrum while being corrected on Bell Biv Devoe's 'Dome' (or is it 'Do Me'?) and the touch of added lyrics about Michael Jackson on 'We Are The World' brought a smile to MY face.

Over all, a great disc to own if you enjoy Lounge OR comedy.

Bill Murray changed the words. Richard Cheese does not. And it's awesome. If you buy one, buy 'em all.