I don’t know if I’ve made it clear but I don’t feel well versed enough to review new music, in reality, I question my ability to review any music. Which is fine because that has never been the purpose of this blog. This blog has always been about my relationship with music, and that means that I don’t need a good technical understanding of music I just have to have ears and feelings.

However, I have had a new Weird Al Yankovic album thrust upon me, and I feel I must comment on this album that entered the billboard top 200 at number 1. I have been a fan of Weird Al for a long time, in childhood he was the one who let me know (and Gonzo from the Muppet Babies)  that I was ok even though I didn’t fit in, I wore the epithet “weird” proudly even when it hurt. But that will be more important when I talk about my favorite childhood Weird Al Yankovic album. This post is about a new album that shows the relevance of Weird Al and his adaptability.

Weird Al, coming off of a solid but not well received album by the public found himself in a pickle. When this album came out the label made it clear they wouldn’t be making his videos so he had to find a different way. He did, he proved not only to be relevant but savvy. He released 8 videos in 8 days on 8 different websites.

But, this post is not about how amazing Weird Al is, it is just my annual Best of Mandatory Fun 2014. Listed below are the categories I find important.

Best song upgrade (This parody actually improved the song)
Word Crimes

Best Breakout song with male twerking
Tacky

Best song that the video does no justice for
Mission Statement

Best parody that introduced me to an original song that I really like
Handy

Best Pixies style parody
First World Problems

Best style parody of a band I never heard of
Lame Claim to fame

Best school fight song ever
Sport’s Song

Song that should have been made into a video as the theme song to a pretend new show
Inactive

Best song that could almost be a parody of Dr. Seuss’ Things I Saw on Mulberry Street
My Own Eyes

Song that reminds me of how glad I am to be married
Jackson Park Express

Best Parody
Foil

Best Song on Mandatory Fun
Now That’s What I Call a Polka