So why is LMFAO’s Party Rock on this best 1,000 albums ever thing?
I mean, it says it all in the album title, right?
Party. Rock. Party Rock. You know exactly what you’re getting. And LMFAO delivers.
But let’s take a step back for a minute. I recognize that this might be one of the more “controversial” selections on the entirety of the best 1,000 albums ever project. And not just that, there will be those of you who might ask, “So you’re putting the I’m in Miami B—- guys in front of Sticky Fingers or Ready to Die or Ten?”
Yep, I am. And it’s not just because Party Rock might be the greatest party record of all time – and I get it if “greatest party record of all time” isn’t something that rates for you, by the way. Party Rock is also hilarious*, and pour moi – your humble narrator and guide on the best 1,000 albums ever – legitimately great music plus legitimate hilarity rate very high in my book indeed**.
* I did a fair amount of research to find lyrics that highlight this hilarity, but realized quickly that it doesn’t quite translate that way. The comedy comes out of the super over-the-top swag that Redfoo and Sky Blu rock.
** And yes, it’s quite possible that this project has not seen the last of our heroes from Tenacious D, Jables and Rage Kage, nor the first of a couple of blokes who hail from New Zealand.
Party Rock kicks off with “Rock The BeaT,” which not only samples Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” (the album is #870 of best 1,000 albums ever fwiw), but then revs things up even further via electronic effects and autotune*.
* I’m often not a fan of autotune, but you know what? It’s pretty fun as used here.
And then, once again, LMFAO tells you who they are and what they are about right off the bat, so there will be zero room for misunderstanding.
We LMFAO
Rock the beat
And rock the show
Move your feet
On to the flo
Start to freak and drink some mo
I’m smiling and shaking my head a little bit as I’m writing these words, because I’m trying to figure out which song to talk about next, and there are a ludicrous number of great choices. I’ll start with the songs that I imagine LMFAO continue to be best known for: “I’m In Miami B—-,” “Shots,” and “Get Crazy.” All are legitimately fun and wild turn up* music.
* I… think the kids say this, if my reality TV watching says anything about it.
Of these, I’m particularly down with “Get Crazy” due to its association with a reality TV program called Jersey Shore (also: see the Best 100 TV Shows Ever). I’ve heard that keyboard loop… let’s say a lot during my J Shore watching days, and I honestly never get tired of it. The song rocks.
All right, we got a situation.
I also want to highlight two deeper cuts: “I Don’t Wanna Be” and “Lil’ Hipster Girl.” Both are surprisingly sophisticated songs that also work splendidly as party music or workout music.
Pop culture stuff that’s somehow related to LMFAO’s Party Rock
Since this is an album entry in which I feel slightly sheepish and defense-y about my selection (and at the same time a little bit brave and very much content with it at the same time), let’s segue to another installment of Embarrassing Admissions.
I watched The Apprentice and Celebrity Apprentice back in the day. Sure, I was a TV blogger, but I also enjoyed it. I love competition shows and things that showcase the creative process, and Mark Burnett’s creation had a certain twisted genius to its structure. Sure, that guy who was the host was wacky and his decisions often baffling, but it was all part of the fun*.
* AT THE TIME, PEOPLE. At THE TIME it was fun. I assure you that that guy is no longer fun. For anyone.
I mention this because Lil Jon, the rapper who yells “Shots!” a lot on “Shots,” was on Celebrity Apprentice one season and honestly impressed me with his intelligence and business acumen.
That’s it for this installment of Embarrassing Admissions.
Some stats & info about LMFAO – Party Rock
- What kind of musical stylings does this album represent? Rock Music, Dance Music, Comedy Rock, Pop Music
- Rolling Stone’s greatest 500 albums ranking – not ranked!
- All Music’s rating – 3 out of 5 stars
- When was Party Rock released? 2008
- My ranking, the one you’re reading right now – #460 out of 1,000
LMFAO’s Party Rock on Spotify
A lyrical snippet from LMFAO’s Party Rock that’s evocative of the album in some way, maybe
Shots shots shots shots shots shots everybody.
What does the “best 1,000 albums ever” mean and why are you doing this?
Yeah, I know it’s audacious, a little crazy (okay, maybe a lot cray cray), bordering on criminal nerdery.
But here’s what it’s NOT: a definitive list of the Greatest Albums of All-Time. This is 100% my own personal super biased, incredibly subjective review of what my top 1,000 albums are, ranked in painstaking order over the course of doing research for nearly a year, Rob from High Fidelity style. Find out more about why I embarked on a best 1,000 albums ever project.