Product Reviews
The 31st CD by the Capitol Steps continues with brilliant parodies of familiar pop songs. Many of the performers are dead-on mimics of the political personalities they play, with most of the tracks performed in front of an audience. The widely unpopular TSA is lampooned with "Put Your Cans in the Hand," the coming acceptance of gays serving openly in the military is the focus of "Ballad of the Queen Berets." The hilarious "New York, No Pork" makes light of the Manhattan mosque construction controversy (to the tune of "New York, New York"). President Barack Obama's clipped speaking introduces "What Kind of Cool Am I," a piece that muses as to why unemployment still stagnates in spite of record taxpayer investment. Former President George W. Bush discusses his legacy in a way that will get everyone laughing, then launches into "Memoirs" (to the tune of "Memories" from Cats). The recently separated ex-Vice President is skewered in the comedy routine "Al Gore Goes to a Dating Service." Egyptian protestors denounce President Mubarek with "March Like an Egyptian," followed by the president's lament-filled "Mubarak's Way." "You Fill Out Your Census" (sung to John Denver's "Annie's Song") pokes holes in a ridiculous number of categories. As long as politicians and celebrities continue to say and do silly things, the Capitol Steps will have plenty of material for future CDs. ~ Ken Dryden, Rovi