Nerf Herder scored an unexpected novelty hit in 1997 with "Van Halen," a jab at Sammy Hagar. By that point, Van Halen wasn't very contemporary, and staleness seems to be Nerf Herder's specialty. How to Meet Girls, the sec... more »ond release by these Weird Al Yankovic wannabes, is awfully toothless, which wouldn't be so bad if their targets were fresh. "Courtney" is a slam on grunge goddess Courtney Love--not exactly the toughest victim, especially with ill-conceived lyrics like "Saw you in a movie about pornography / you were looking pale and kind of saggy." Other brickbats targeting goth girls, Michael Bolton, metalheads, and teenage angst are lackluster. The under-12 set may find these tunes to be just funny enough to keep up with the bratty Blink 182-ish sound, but those with more discriminating tastes won't want to know How to Meet Girls. --Jason Josephes« less
Nerf Herder scored an unexpected novelty hit in 1997 with "Van Halen," a jab at Sammy Hagar. By that point, Van Halen wasn't very contemporary, and staleness seems to be Nerf Herder's specialty. How to Meet Girls, the second release by these Weird Al Yankovic wannabes, is awfully toothless, which wouldn't be so bad if their targets were fresh. "Courtney" is a slam on grunge goddess Courtney Love--not exactly the toughest victim, especially with ill-conceived lyrics like "Saw you in a movie about pornography / you were looking pale and kind of saggy." Other brickbats targeting goth girls, Michael Bolton, metalheads, and teenage angst are lackluster. The under-12 set may find these tunes to be just funny enough to keep up with the bratty Blink 182-ish sound, but those with more discriminating tastes won't want to know How to Meet Girls. --Jason Josephes
"Where does the editorial review get off comparing NerfHerder to Weird Al? Comparing Punk rock/power pop to parody pop? I don't know, but check out nerf herder, especially "Pantera Fans in Love" (track 5), this albums pretty good."
If you don't have a sense of humour, don't bother!
vinylgirl | Canada | 09/14/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Now I know why I usually pay no heed to jaded music critics. How anyone can see this album as nothing more than a "Weird Al" ripoff is beyond me. This is by far one of my favourite albums in my collection - a collection with its fair share of classic albums. In a time where so many people consider "pop" to be a dirty word (thanks to the neverending stream of boy bands and pop "divas"), this album saves the day with its catchy riffs, unaffected humour and freespirited pure pop goodness. An album that will appeal to any age, but with references that will certainly resonate more soundly with listeners who experienced the 70s and/or the 80s in all their glory. For those of us who danced to Haysi Fantayzee ('Vivian'), got "Pac-Man fever", adored the A-Team and CHiPS ('For You') and lived through the big-haired heavy metal heyday of the 80s (`Pantera Fans in Love'), this album is the perfect trip down memory lane."
Not sure why more people don't know about this album.....
caitfish | 09/04/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I got this right when it came out, and it was definitely one of my favorite albums for a long time. What it lacks in substance, it makes up for in humor and great music. "She's A Sleestak" is the only song that I don't care for on here, and that's saying a lot. I'm pretty picky about music.
I've been looking through my old CD's, and this is one of those that stands up. Rediscovery is a beautiful thing.
If you want serious, meaningful music, don't look here, but if you want something to make you smile, this is definitely something I'd recommend."
What a disappointment
Marcus | AZ, USA | 10/28/2000
(2 out of 5 stars)
"This album was a disappointment for me. Their self-titled debut is one of my favorite albums, but their follow up doesn't add any new ideas. Courtney replaces Van Halen, Pervert replaces Sorry, and the album is much more produced sounding without any edge, which is rather surprising as they moved from major label Arista to indie Honest Don's. Either way, though, the songs are not as clever, this album is just trying to juice ideas and some success for all they can get. Their first album is fantastic, but their follow up is much poppier, and after listening to their debut, it's almost painful to listen to. They were so great, you almost ask yourself, what happened?"
Great follow-up album
--archangel-- | 07/27/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This sophomore album builds on the musical and lyrical successof Nerf Herder's debut and shows that there is something for musicfans who don't like the sugary sweet lyrics of faux teeny-boppers like Brittany Spears or the devastating stuff of Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails. The Nerfs, who have added another member to their band for this album, skewer Courtney Love, heavy metal fans (with the great "Pantera Fans in Love"), and Elton John's wardrobe; sing about the futility of suicide in "5000 Ways to Die"; and give nods to 1970s and 1980s popular culture with the simply fabulous "She's a Sleestak" and "For You" (my favorite song on the album). This is a great album that you can listen to over and over."