e has toiled for years in the shadow of animated talk-show host Space Ghost, but now, with the debut of Brak Presents The Brak Album Starring Brak, the truth is finally unveiled! The true musical genius behind the popular Cartoon Planet TV series Space Ghost Coast to Coast just might be the moronic space pirate Brak. His new CD presents 19 tunes from a recent Cartoon Network special titled, appropriately enough, Brak Presents The Brak Show Starring Brak, as well as 11 spoken-word vignettes and three rollicking songs collectively designated "Super Special Bootleg Bonus Braktrax."
On the recording, Brak divulges his most intimate thoughts and dreams.
"Magic Toenail" reveals that the singer occasionally takes his "cutest cuticle" out to lunch, while "I Like Hubcaps" features the multi-faceted entertainer ecstatically reciting the many items he adores, including waffles, ant farms, pork and beans, Bigfoot and Charles Nelson Reilly. Meanwhile, "Barbeque" equates true love with the benefits of a good cookout, and "I've Got You Under My Drawers" relates a compelling tale of adoration and alien abduction. Brak's skills also extend beyond his singing abilities. Humorous skits are interspersed among the melodies, such as "Dentist," which details his visit to the aptly named Dr. Shriek, and "El Brakiachi," the tale of an itinerant, tuba-playing mariachi musician.
Of course, Brak isn't solely responsible for all of the shenanigans.
Space Ghost Coast to Coast bandleader Zorak sporadically appears throughout the album, and even performs solo on a track titled "Rock Candy." Famed cartoon characters Grape Ape and Wally Gator also lend their talents to the collection, along with flesh-and-blood guest stars The Chieftains, Diamond Dallas Page and Freddie Prinze Jr.
Brak 'n' roll
Folks familiar with Cartoon Planet know that Brak is an alien of few words ... or at least few words that make any sense. So it's not too surprising that The Brak Album is completely ridiculous. What is unexpected is that the music is also clever, with most of the melodies spotlighting witty wordplay and clever interchanges between Brak and his various singing partners. In fact, the eccentric tone and outlandish performances guarantee a truly out-of-this-world selection of songs.
"Highway 40" is one of the funniest cuts. Brak is joined by Prinze on this number, which essentially consists of the duo repeatedly warbling "I'm driving down Highway 40 in my big old pickup truck." Each time the pair reprises the line, they imitate different creatures. The twosome mimic monsters, fishes, pigs, girls--even newsman Tom Brokaw--in this hysterical production. Another entertaining tune is "Really Cool Song," which features Brak describing the simplistic composition ("Here's a part with a lot of drums") as it moves along. Accompanied by The Brakettes and Wally Gator and Zorak, it's a superb ode to silliness.
The spoken-word selections aren't as consistently entertaining, but do include such standouts as the atomically amusing "Molly Cule" and "Count Brakula," a sketch starring Brak as an undead pizza deliverer ("No. No.
No. How many times do we have to tell you? No garlic crust!"). At times the aural horseplay is overly foolish, but The Brak Album will assuredly elicit at least a few chuckles from even the most strait-laced fan.
