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Flight of the Conchords (BBC Audio) | 
 enlarge | Artist: Flight Of The Conchords
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks Ltd
Category: Book
List Price: £15.99
Buy New: £8.16
You Save: £7.83 (49%)
New (31) Used (3) from £8.16
Avg. Customer Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 1580
Format: Audiobook, Import
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Items: 3
Discs: 3
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.7 x 0.9
ISBN: 1846070708
EAN: 9781846070709
ASIN: 1846070708
Publication Date: January 5, 2006
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new & sealed. Sent quickly - see our feedback.
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| Customer Reviews:
It's business time! August 22, 2008
What a little gem this is. I can't believe this passed me by (well it was on the radio so that's probably why). This is probably better than anything I have seen on TV for the last couple of years. I must admit that I haven't seen the HBO TV series and I'm not sure if I really want to because this is so good that I don't want to be disappointed.
For those of you who don't know, Flight of the Conchords are a real band, they even have an album out on the sub pop label. Though this radio series is a fictitious account of their attempt to break into the UK scene. They are described as a novelty band and indeed their songs are very funny but the music is still good as well. The only thing I can compare them to are Tenacious D but then they aren't really like that. They are less blue and their style is less rock more pop and hip hop, and their lyrics are also a lot more clever. The actual style of the radio show is a bit like the Office US, with a lot of the comedy coming from Brian the band's manager and his unsuccessful attempts at everything.
I have to disagree with the reviewer who said that the performance of the British comedians in this show was poor. Daniel Kitson (Phoenix Nights) puts in a great performance in the York episode and there is also a good cameo from Andy Parsons (Mock the Week) as a music venue owner. Though to be honest these parts are quite small and most of the air time is dedicated to the Conchords and their manager. Rob Brydon is also fantastic as the narrator, which is something that the HBO series won't have. Some episodes are funnier than others though and that's why I haven't given this five stars. The York episode and the Pie episode though are probably two of my favorite comedy episodes of all time. You really do have to hear this
 very disappointing, the songs get short shrift December 4, 2007
12 out of 21 found this review helpful
Although this is worth a listen for diehard Conchord fans, I wouldn't recommend it for anyone else. A big part of the appeal of their HBO show, as well as the concert clips I've seen, is the contrast between Bret and Jemaine's dead-pan "normal" personalities, and their exuberant and fanciful songs. Since a radio show obviously has no visual component, you'd at least expect performances of the songs to be front and center, but it's not the case. The songs are rarely if ever presented complete and uninterrupted, often stepped on by Rob Brydon's otherwise decent narration, or faded out and talked over by other characters, or cut such that the entire song never appears in the show. Contrived as it was, I much prefer the way the HBO show built the plot around the songs. Even the short clips of their live show on YouTube are better than this.
With the exception of the excellent Rhys Darby as proto-Murray manager Brian Nesbitt, and, to a lesser extent, Neil Finn as Brian's unwitting rock-and-roll mentor, the supporting players range from forgettable to really annoying (especially Greg Proops).
So, hardcore fans, check it out for Bret, Jemaine, and Rhys Darby. Everyone else, I'd recommend the HBO series DVD and YouTube.
 Laugh So Hard I Cried November 29, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I laughed so hard I cried. I am just learning about Flight of the Conchords. I heard them on XM radio, imediatly bought their CD and DVD. I have laughed so hard I've cried. It's really quite rare that something can come along like this and make me laugh this hard. God I love these guys.
Conchords got it goin' on! September 3, 2007
24 out of 31 found this review helpful
If you want proof that Flight of the Conchords are not only the current kings of character comedy but true genii, watch their new HBO sitcom. Don't be put off by the Guardian calling them the funnest thing ever, these guys are one of the only comedy teams to try out an idea on the radio then IMPROVE it for TV (for proof of how rare this is listen to the Mighty Boosh, Little Britian, every other radio to TV comedy transfer since Tony Hancock).
This mockumentary radio series established most of the themes of the TV series (innocents abroad, the manager, stalker fans, the Yoko experience, etc) and features most of the Conchords best songs. It's not as sharp as the TV show, and there are a lot less gags per episode but that Conchord magic is still there through out. New Zealand stand up Rhys Darby's performance as their manager is a joy to hear and worth the asking price alone. Crowded House front man Neil Finn features in every episode and he's a surprisingly effective straight man. Quite possibly the best in the whole wide room. Credit should also go to Rob Brydon for the brilliant dead pan delivery of his linking voice over, the man was clearly wearing his business socks during the recording.
So why only 4 stars?
Well.....
....(with the noted acception of Mr Brydon) all of the british comedy actors are awful. Most of the series was apparently improvised. When the Kiwi comedians are in full flow it's hilarious. But the brits sound like public school kids making things up on the spot. Honestly, you will not believe how weak some of their lines are.
In an effort to be more constructive with my feed back I have thought for far to long about why this is and here is my conclusion: the brits didn't get what the show is about.
Most of the comedy comes from the gentle naivety of the Kiwi characters. When ever they speak the Conchords sound innocent, restrained and a little shy whilst their songs give them permission to express themselves (however inappropriately).
The brits clearly didn't get it and just overact.
So bascially the TV show is better because Jimmy Carr isn't in it. Unless you are a die hard Conchords fan, buy that instead. But if you absolutely must have an audio Conchords fix there is plenty here to recommend.
FOLK YEAH!! September 23, 2005
12 out of 19 found this review helpful
I've been listening to these guys on their radio 2 show,and they have made another fan.This will be the cd of that show, which i will definitley be buying. If you like rob brydon,john shuttleworth and tenacious d you will love this!...........
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