Firesign Theatre All Things Firesign Genres:Special Interest, Pop, Rock ALL THINGS FIRESIGN! When "All Things Considered," the public radio newsprogram that supplies over a million listeners a day with their ears to the world, asked The Firesign Theatre to contribute a regular humor "column"... more » to the program, the veteran audio comedians instantly agreed. "We considered it a great opportunity to get back in touch with some of the folks who loved our albums in the '70s. People who weren't aware of the new CDs and DVDs we've been producing." From the Fourth of July to New Years Eve 2002, Firesign covers the major events and non-events of the day. "Our soldiers are on the ground in Afghanistan and aiming for Baghdad! We comedians have to draw a line in the sand!" proclaimed Firesign founder Peter Bergman. Careening from "Crisis in Terror!" and "The Art of Defense" to "No Jokes About America," the "TIPs Hotline" and "It's Saddam Shame," the Firesign Theatre places itself squarely on the Bush-league firing line. "Remember that Everything You Know is Wrong!" contributed the unflappable Phil Austin, (with David Ossman and Phil Proctor, the other three founding Firesigns), and opened his microphone to psychic shoe investigator Happy Harry Cox. Using only crude sound-effects, Firesign's best-known character, Nick Danger (America's Only Detective!), followed Cox into the studio and brought along his cop-and-criminal partners in surreal radio adventure, Lt. Alvin Bradshaw and Rocky Rococo. "And don't forget," responded elder statesman Ossman, "comedy is heavier than gravity!" and invites street poet Beat St. Jack into the studio to rap about corrupt accountants and Desert Tan uniforms. "Help! We're all Prisoners of the 21st century," concluded Mr. Proctor, who was listening to commentator Hal Stark, "so let's go Forward Into the Past!" That took the boys straight to Ol' Elmertown, the home of catalogue storekeepers "Mutt 'n' Smutt" and their off-brands of fun. ALL THINGS FIRESIGN! Also featuring CNNo Evil newsman Bill Undermutter, the "Grass Roots Gourmet," auto tycoon C. W. "Bob" Heeblehauser and the Rev. Bill Barnstormer of the Reformed Church of Science, Fiction. Plus three Holiday Specials that finally ring in the end of the Millennium. That's the latest good news from The Firesign Theatre.« less
ALL THINGS FIRESIGN! When "All Things Considered," the public radio newsprogram that supplies over a million listeners a day with their ears to the world, asked The Firesign Theatre to contribute a regular humor "column" to the program, the veteran audio comedians instantly agreed. "We considered it a great opportunity to get back in touch with some of the folks who loved our albums in the '70s. People who weren't aware of the new CDs and DVDs we've been producing." From the Fourth of July to New Years Eve 2002, Firesign covers the major events and non-events of the day. "Our soldiers are on the ground in Afghanistan and aiming for Baghdad! We comedians have to draw a line in the sand!" proclaimed Firesign founder Peter Bergman. Careening from "Crisis in Terror!" and "The Art of Defense" to "No Jokes About America," the "TIPs Hotline" and "It's Saddam Shame," the Firesign Theatre places itself squarely on the Bush-league firing line. "Remember that Everything You Know is Wrong!" contributed the unflappable Phil Austin, (with David Ossman and Phil Proctor, the other three founding Firesigns), and opened his microphone to psychic shoe investigator Happy Harry Cox. Using only crude sound-effects, Firesign's best-known character, Nick Danger (America's Only Detective!), followed Cox into the studio and brought along his cop-and-criminal partners in surreal radio adventure, Lt. Alvin Bradshaw and Rocky Rococo. "And don't forget," responded elder statesman Ossman, "comedy is heavier than gravity!" and invites street poet Beat St. Jack into the studio to rap about corrupt accountants and Desert Tan uniforms. "Help! We're all Prisoners of the 21st century," concluded Mr. Proctor, who was listening to commentator Hal Stark, "so let's go Forward Into the Past!" That took the boys straight to Ol' Elmertown, the home of catalogue storekeepers "Mutt 'n' Smutt" and their off-brands of fun. ALL THINGS FIRESIGN! Also featuring CNNo Evil newsman Bill Undermutter, the "Grass Roots Gourmet," auto tycoon C. W. "Bob" Heeblehauser and the Rev. Bill Barnstormer of the Reformed Church of Science, Fiction. Plus three Holiday Specials that finally ring in the end of the Millennium. That's the latest good news from The Firesign Theatre.
"Nobody seems to want to talk about the album in question, but more about the fact that this is a new Firesign Theatre album. So I'll do that for the people who actually want to read a review:
This was the first Firesign album I ever got. I didn't laugh once at it. A few months later I got their first 3 albums which were a hundred times better. This is definatley the worst start to get into Firesign. They really aren't funny on this one. I highly recomend "HOW CAN YOU BE IN TWO..." or "DON'T CRUSH THAT DWARF,..." over this. Those albums are deeply layered and require several listens to get the whole picture. I still haven't listened to "I THINK WE'RE ALL BOZOS ON THIS BUS" enough times, because I only got it today. This album isn't good for three reasons. It should only have been listened to once when it was on the radio,the Firesign's best work is threw extended pieces (I'm talking album sides), and using names for laughs won't work. I think by now, Firesign have made enough albums already,(35+) and should wait before making another one. The only funny bit is the Nick Danger bit. The one time I ever laugh on this album, is when Rocky Racoco says "Here's ya go!".
Start with one of the older ones who have been praised for a reason."
Brilliant Satire for the Bush Era
Michael A. Maday | 11/29/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Firesign Theater return with all their wit and charm on all cylinders in this brilliant album that plays out like a celebration of American holidays for National Public Radio.
And that's fitting because that's exactly what it literally was a few years ago. Now with Dubya still in the saddle sadly for four more years, this album that sends up our "cherished cable culture" for their razor scrutiny, is as relevant as ever.
Old characters and themes from their earlier and infamous albums smoothly interplay with new voices, tickling the funny bone and providing us with an energetic satirical attack on mid-American values and proactive proto-Republican anti-terrorist propaganda. Not that they can't laugh at themselves (or Democrats, for that matter!). You can just smell and taste and touch the mad world we live in when they give it to us like this with their hilarious twist. This is the Firesign Theater at their best and that's saying there is nothing better."
We need more Firesign!
03/21/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A great up-to-date Firesign work that brings the group into today's current events. Martha Stewart, Ashcroft, Iraq War, terrorist, and all relevant news are all covered. They are as good as ever and still better than the majority of comedy that is out there. Their razor sharp cutting edge satire is still the best!"
Ranks up there with the classic Firesign albums
Robert W. Holdridge | Dallas | 11/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Like many long time Firesign Theatre fans, I have been a little unimpressed by some recent releases. This CD however is great. It respectfully visits several classic characters and creates contemporary parodies that are amazing. If you have enjoyed any of their early albums, I recommend buying this one."
You either get Firesign Theater or you don't
J. Hand | southern Indiana | 10/03/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Truly the theater of the absurd! I loved these guys from the first time i heard them. All I can say is you either get what they do or you don't. Some of their humor is a bit hard to follow and some of the live bits are harder still without visuals to go along with the dialog. Chances are, if you are reading this you already have some familiarity with them. This piece is no different than their others. They haven't missed a beat. As a fan, this would be a satisfactory addition. If you are a newby to them I would recommend either The Giant Rat of Sumatra, Waiting for the Electrician or Someone Like Him, or Don't Crush That Dwarf, Hand me the Pliers. If you get those, onward into the fog!!!!!"
