Of course, the title is also a warning: a joker (McKenzie is part of the comedy duo Flight Of The Conchords, also wrote music for “Muppets” films) is serious here. At the very least, casual musings like “Up In Smoke” suggest sensibility. But the decidedly effortless LA sound with gently sparkling melodies and Randy Newman piano passages is great fun – and despite all its ambitions, it has a very fine sense of humour.
Because McKenzie understands his songwriting craft, effortlessly reaches into Harry Nilsson’s well-stocked shelf (“A Little Tune”). And because, with the help of the great session musicians Joey Waronker and Dean Parks, he carves out a nostalgic sound that almost flees into kitsch.
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