Capitol Steps - Between Iraq and a Hard Place (CD)

All Music Guide

The Capitol Steps have been one of the most consistently funny groups to do musical parodies since they released their first CD in 1984. Not only do they have gifted writers, but each of the singers proves to be effective mimics. Political targets are their specialty, especially the hilarious "Hang Down Your Head, Tom Daschle," the opera spoof "Toricelli," Senator Trent Lott ("It's Not Easy Being White"), "Condoleezza" (sung to "Mona Lisa"), and the sidesplitting duet of "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" by Palestinian leader Yassir Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.But topics of the day squeeze politics aside, with a series of brilliant lampoons like "401K" (sung to the tune of "YMCA"), airlines charging fat people for two tickets ("You Can't Fly with Giant Thighs," utilizing the music from "You Can't Hide Your Lyin' Eyes"), the stomach flu epidemic aboard Disney's cruise ships ("Bippity Bobbity Spew"), actress Wynona Ryder's shoplifting habit ("Kleptomaniac"), and skewering t...he pompous talk show host Ted Koppel's concern about the possibility of Disney canceling his series ("Heard it on the Nightline"). Even though most of the topics are little more than fleeting news, this very funny CD should stand the test of time. - Ken Dryden, All Music Guide Read more Less