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| label = [[Rock 'n Roll Records]]<br>[[Scotti Brothers Records]]
| label = [[Rock 'n Roll Records]]<br>[[Scotti Brothers Records]]
| producer = [[Rick Derringer]], [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]
| producer = [[Rick Derringer]], [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]
| prev_title = [[The Best of Yankovic]]
| prev_title = [[Off the Deep End]]
| prev_year = 1992
| prev_year = 1992
| next_title = [[Alapalooza]]
| next_title = [[Alapalooza]]
| next_year = 1993
| next_year = 1993
}}
}}
'''''The Food Album''''' is a compilation album by American singer-songwriter [["Weird Al" Yankovic]], released on June 22, 1993 by [[Scotti Brothers Records]]. The release features ten of Yankovic's [[song parody|song parodies]], all of which pertain to food. A similar album, ''[[The TV Album]]'', which features songs entirely about television, would be released two years later.
'''''The Food Album''''' is a compilation album by American singer-songwriter [["Weird Al" Yankovic]], released on June 22, 1993, by [[Scotti Brothers Records]]. The release features ten of Yankovic's [[song parody|song parodies]], all of which pertain to food. A similar album, ''[[The TV Album]]'', which features songs entirely about television, would be released two years later.


The album was begrudgingly released by Yankovic, who felt that the compilation was unnecessary and merely a way for his record label to make money. Several food-related songs that Yankovic had recorded, such as "Girls Just Want to Have Lunch" and "Waffle King", were left off the record, although the former was due to personal preference, while the latter was due to scheduling issues.
The album was begrudgingly released by Yankovic, who felt that the compilation was unnecessary and merely a way for his record label to make money. Several food-related songs that Yankovic had recorded, such as "Girls Just Want to Have Lunch" and "Waffle King", were left off the record, although the former was due to personal preference, while the latter was due to scheduling issues.
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==Production==
==Production==

===Music===
===Music===
The music featured on ''The Food Album'' spans a decade, with the earliest songs being recorded in 1982, and the most recent song being recorded in 1992.<ref name="recordingdates">{{Cite web| url = http://weirdal.com/archives/miscellaneous/recording-dates/ | title = Recording Dates | accessdate = June 26, 2010 | last = Yankovic | first = Alfred M. | authorlink = "Weird Al" Yankovic |date=December 2007 | work = The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site}}</ref> Yankovic's [["Weird Al" Yankovic (album)|first eponymous album]] has two songs featured: "[[I Love Rocky Road]]" and "[[My Bologna]]".<ref name="recordingdates"/><ref name=firstalbum>{{cite AV media notes| title = "Weird Al" Yankovic| others = [["Weird Al" Yankovic|Alfred "Weird Al" Yankovic]]| year = 1983 | type = liner| publisher = [[Scotti Brothers Records]]}}</ref> Both "[[Eat It]]" and "Theme from Rocky XIII (The Rye or the Kaiser)" were culled from the 1984 release, ''[["Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D]]''.<ref name="recordingdates"/><ref>{{cite AV media notes| title = "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D| others = [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]| year = 1984 | type = liner| publisher = [[Scotti Brothers Records]]}}</ref> "Addicted to Spuds" originally appeared on the 1986 release ''[[Polka Party!]]'', and "[[Fat (song)|Fat]]" and "[[Lasagna (song)|Lasagna]]" were first featured on Yankovic's 1988 release ''[[Even Worse]]''.<ref name="recordingdates"/><ref name=ppliner/><ref name="ewliner"/> "Spam" first was released on the [[UHF – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff|soundtrack]] to the 1989 film ''[[UHF (film)|UHF]]''.<ref name="recordingdates"/><ref name=uhfliner>{{cite AV media notes| title = UHF – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff| others = [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]| year = 1989 | type = liner| publisher = [[Scotti Brothers Records]]}} Note: the original vinyl release of the album contained complete liner notes, which included lyrics and personnel. The CD re-issue, however, only features minimal liner notes.</ref> The final two songs—"The White Stuff" and "Taco Grande"—were taken from the 1992 album ''[[Off the Deep End]]''.<ref name="recordingdates"/><ref name="offdeepliner"/>
The music featured on ''The Food Album'' spans a decade, with the earliest songs being recorded in 1982, and the most recent song being recorded in 1992.<ref name="recordingdates">{{Cite web| url = http://weirdal.com/archives/miscellaneous/recording-dates/ | title = Recording Dates | access-date = June 26, 2010 | last = Yankovic | first = Alfred M. | author-link = "Weird Al" Yankovic |date=December 2007 | work = The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site}}</ref> Yankovic's [["Weird Al" Yankovic (album)|first eponymous album]] has two songs featured: "[[I Love Rocky Road]]" and "[[My Bologna]]".<ref name="recordingdates"/><ref name=firstalbum>{{cite AV media notes| title = "Weird Al" Yankovic| others = [["Weird Al" Yankovic|Alfred "Weird Al" Yankovic]]| year = 1983 | type = liner| publisher = [[Scotti Brothers Records]]}}</ref> Both "[[Eat It]]" and "Theme from Rocky XIII (The Rye or the Kaiser)" were culled from the 1984 release, ''[["Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D]]''.<ref name="recordingdates"/><ref>{{cite AV media notes| title = "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D| others = [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]| year = 1984 | type = liner| publisher = [[Scotti Brothers Records]]}}</ref> "Addicted to Spuds" originally appeared on the 1986 release ''[[Polka Party!]]'', and "[[Fat (song)|Fat]]" and "[[Lasagna (song)|Lasagna]]" were first featured on Yankovic's 1988 release ''[[Even Worse]]''.<ref name="recordingdates"/><ref name=ppliner/><ref name="ewliner"/> "Spam" first was released on the [[UHF – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff|soundtrack]] to the 1989 film ''[[UHF (film)|UHF]]''.<ref name="recordingdates"/><ref name=uhfliner>{{cite AV media notes| title = UHF – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff| others = [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]| year = 1989 | type = liner| publisher = [[Scotti Brothers Records]]}} Note: the original vinyl release of the album contained complete liner notes, which included lyrics and personnel. The CD re-issue, however, only features minimal liner notes.</ref> The final two songs—"The White Stuff" and "Taco Grande"—were taken from the 1992 album ''[[Off the Deep End]]''.<ref name="recordingdates"/><ref name="offdeepliner"/>


Notable for its absence is "Girls Just Want to Have Lunch", from ''[[Dare to Be Stupid]]'' (1985). According to Yankovic, this is due to the fact there is a "royalty ceiling" on the albums and he needed to pick one song to cut from the list in order to turn a profit on the album. "Girls Just Want to Have Lunch" was chosen due to Yankovic's personal dislike of the song, as his record label had forced him to record it in order to release ''Dare to Be Stupid'' back in 1985.<ref name="askal1298">{{cite web| url =http://weirdal.com/archives/miscellaneous/ask-al/#1298| title = 'Ask Al' Q&As for December 1998 |accessdate =April 23, 2011 |last =Yankovic |first =Alfred M. |authorlink ="Weird Al" Yankovic |date=December 1998 |work =The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site}}</ref> Also absent from the release is "Waffle King." The song had originally been recorded for ''Off the Deep End''. However, Yankovic decided to swap "Waffle King" with "I Was Only Kidding"—a song he had actually recorded for his next album—at the last minute; this forced Yankovic to shelve "Waffle King" for the time being.<ref>{{cite web| url =http://weirdal.com/archives/miscellaneous/ask-al/#0396 |title ='Ask Al' Q&As for March/April, 1996 |accessdate =April 23, 2011 |last =Yankovic |first =Alfred M. |authorlink ="Weird Al" Yankovic |date=March–April 1999 |work =The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site}}</ref> The song was later released on "[[Smells Like Nirvana]]" single, as well as Yankovic's eighth studio album, ''[[Alapalooza]]'', which was released four months after ''The Food Album''.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Smells Like Nirvana CD single |others=[["Weird Al" Yankovic]] |year=1992 |type=liner notes |publisher=[[Scotti Brothers Records]] |location=[[California]], [[United States|USA]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title = Alapalooza|others = [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]|year = 1993|type = liner|publisher = [[Scotti Brothers Records]]}}</ref>
Notable for its absence is "Girls Just Want to Have Lunch", from ''[[Dare to Be Stupid]]'' (1985). According to Yankovic, this is due to the fact there is a "royalty ceiling" on the albums and he needed to pick one song to cut from the list in order to turn a profit on the album. "Girls Just Want to Have Lunch" was chosen due to Yankovic's personal dislike of the song, as his record label had forced him to record it in order to release ''Dare to Be Stupid'' back in 1985.<ref name="askal1298">{{cite web| url =http://weirdal.com/archives/miscellaneous/ask-al/#1298| title = 'Ask Al' Q&As for December 1998 |access-date =April 23, 2011 |last =Yankovic |first =Alfred M. |author-link ="Weird Al" Yankovic |date=December 1998 |work =The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site}}</ref> Also absent from the release is "Waffle King." The song had originally been recorded for ''Off the Deep End''. However, Yankovic decided to swap "Waffle King" with "I Was Only Kidding"—a song he had actually recorded for his next album—at the last minute; this forced Yankovic to shelve "Waffle King" for the time being.<ref>{{cite web| url =http://weirdal.com/archives/miscellaneous/ask-al/#0396 |title ='Ask Al' Q&As for March/April, 1996 |access-date =April 23, 2011 |last =Yankovic |first =Alfred M. |author-link ="Weird Al" Yankovic |date=March–April 1999 |work =The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site}}</ref> The song was later released on "[[Smells Like Nirvana]]" single, as well as Yankovic's eighth studio album, ''[[Alapalooza]]'', which was released four months after ''The Food Album''.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Smells Like Nirvana CD single |others=[["Weird Al" Yankovic]] |year=1992 |type=liner notes |publisher=[[Scotti Brothers Records]] |location=[[California]], [[United States|USA]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title = Alapalooza|others = [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]|year = 1993|type = liner|publisher = [[Scotti Brothers Records]]}}</ref>


===Release===
===Release===
{{Quote box
{{Quote box
|quote = I don't mind putting out actual ''Greatest Hits'' albums every decade or so—I realize the value in that. I just have a problem when the record company tries to make a quick buck by putting out albums like ''Songs That Al Did In The Key Of F#''.
|quote = I don't mind putting out actual ''Greatest Hits'' albums every decade or so—I realize the value in that. I just have a problem when the record company tries to make a quick buck by putting out albums like ''Songs That Al Did In The Key Of F#''.
|source = "Weird Al" Yankovic, discussing why he was displeased with ''The Food Album''<ref>{{cite web| url =http://weirdal.com/archives/miscellaneous/ask-al/#0699 |title ='Ask Al' Q&As for June, 1999 |accessdate =April 23, 2011 |last =Yankovic |first =Alfred M. |authorlink ="Weird Al" Yankovic |date=June 1999 |work =The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site}}</ref>
|source = "Weird Al" Yankovic, discussing why he was displeased with ''The Food Album''<ref>{{cite web| url =http://weirdal.com/archives/miscellaneous/ask-al/#0699 |title ='Ask Al' Q&As for June, 1999 |access-date =April 23, 2011 |last =Yankovic |first =Alfred M. |author-link ="Weird Al" Yankovic |date=June 1999 |work =The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site}}</ref>
| width = 30em
| width = 30em
| bgcolor= #CCCCFF
| bgcolor= #CCCCFF
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| quoted = 1
| quoted = 1
}}
}}
The album was released by [[Scotti Brothers Records]] and was only begrudgingly approved by Yankovic. At the time, Scotti Brothers had insisted on putting out a new album by Yankovic in order to meet monetary projections at the time, despite the fact that no new album was ready (''Alapalooza'' would not be released until later in the year). The label originally proposed a release entitled ''Al Unplugged'', which would have featured studio [[remix]]es of previously released material, with the electronic instruments missing; the label also wanted the cover to feature Yankovic holding the cords of unplugged kitchen appliances. Yankovic did not enjoy this idea and convinced them to instead release ''The Food Album''—"a concept [he] hated only slightly less"—but would later describe it as a "cheesy compilation" put out "against [his] better wishes and judgement."<ref name="askal0299">{{cite web| url =http://weirdal.com/archives/miscellaneous/ask-al/#0299 |title ='Ask Al' Q&As for February 1999 |accessdate =April 23, 2011 |last =Yankovic |first =Alfred M. |authorlink ="Weird Al" Yankovic |date=February 1999 |work =The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site}}</ref>
The album was released by [[Scotti Brothers Records]] and was only begrudgingly approved by Yankovic. At the time, Scotti Brothers had insisted on putting out a new album by Yankovic in order to meet monetary projections at the time, despite the fact that no new album was ready (''Alapalooza'' would not be released until later in the year). The label originally proposed a release entitled ''Al Unplugged'', which would have featured studio [[remix]]es of previously released material, with the electronic instruments missing; the label also wanted the cover to feature Yankovic holding the cords of unplugged kitchen appliances. Yankovic did not enjoy this idea and convinced them to instead release ''The Food Album''—"a concept [he] hated only slightly less"—but would later describe it as a "cheesy compilation" put out "against [his] better wishes and judgement."<ref name="askal0299">{{cite web| url =http://weirdal.com/archives/miscellaneous/ask-al/#0299 |title ='Ask Al' Q&As for February 1999 |access-date =April 23, 2011 |last =Yankovic |first =Alfred M. |author-link ="Weird Al" Yankovic |date=February 1999 |work =The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site}}</ref>


''[[The TV Album]]'' was released under similar circumstances in 1995; however, when it came time to release the latter album, Yankovic reported that "the record company was a whole lot nicer when they asked the second time", and that there was "more groveling [and] less demanding".<ref name=tvalbum/> Following the release of ''The Food Album'' and ''The TV Album''—in addition to the various greatest hits records that had been released—Scotti Brothers used-up all of their compilation options in Yankovic's contract, which prevented the release of further compilations when [[Volcano Records]] acquired his contract in the late 1990s.<ref name=tvalbum>{{cite web| url =http://weirdal.com/archives/miscellaneous/ask-al/#0599 |title ='Ask Al' Q&As for May, 1999 |accessdate =April 23, 2011 |last =Yankovic |first =Alfred M. |authorlink ="Weird Al" Yankovic |date=May 1999 |work =The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site}}</ref>
''[[The TV Album]]'' was released under similar circumstances in 1995; however, when it came time to release the latter album, Yankovic reported that "the record company was a whole lot nicer when they asked the second time", and that there was "more groveling [and] less demanding".<ref name=tvalbum/> Following the release of ''The Food Album'' and ''The TV Album''—in addition to the various greatest hits records that had been released—Scotti Brothers used-up all of their compilation options in Yankovic's contract, which prevented the release of further compilations when [[Volcano Records]] acquired his contract in the late 1990s.<ref name=tvalbum>{{cite web| url =http://weirdal.com/archives/miscellaneous/ask-al/#0599 |title ='Ask Al' Q&As for May, 1999 |access-date =April 23, 2011 |last =Yankovic |first =Alfred M. |author-link ="Weird Al" Yankovic |date=May 1999 |work =The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site}}</ref>


===Artwork===
===Artwork===
The album artwork—which features a cartoon alien after it has eaten Yankovic—was created by [[Mr. Lawrence|Doug Lawrence]], who is better known as "Mr. Lawrence", an American [[voice actor]], comedian, writer, [[storyboard artist]], animator and director.<ref name="liner"/><ref name=book/> The "grotesque" cover was Yankovic's "passive-aggressive protest" against his label for forcing out the album; Yankovic intended the alien having "picked the desiccated corpse of Weird Al clean" to be a reference to his record label "bleed[ing] his catalogue dry" by releasing the album.<ref name=book>Rabin and Yankovic, p. 77</ref> The Japanese release of the album, however, featured much different artwork, as well as a name change; because there is no "F" in the Japanese language, the album was retitled ''The Hood''.<ref name=hood>{{cite web| url =http://weirdal.com/archives/miscellaneous/rare-items/gallery/rare-items/albums-compilations| title = 'Weird Al' Yankovic: Rare Items – The Food Album |accessdate =April 23, 2011 |last =Yankovic |first =Alfred M. |authorlink ="Weird Al" Yankovic |work =The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site}}</ref>
The album artwork—which features a cartoon alien after it has eaten Yankovic—was created by Doug Lawrence, who is better known as "[[Mr. Lawrence]]", an American [[voice actor]], comedian, writer, [[storyboard artist]], animator and director.<ref name="liner"/><ref name=book/> The "grotesque" cover was Yankovic's "passive-aggressive protest" against his label for forcing out the album; Yankovic intended the alien having "picked the desiccated corpse of Weird Al clean" to be a reference to his record label "bleed[ing] his catalogue dry" by releasing the album.<ref name=book>Rabin and Yankovic, p. 77</ref>


==Reception==
==Reception==

===Critical response===
===Critical response===
{{Album ratings
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = [[Allmusic]]
| rev1 = [[Allmusic]]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{Cite web| last = Loftus | first = Johnny | title = The Food Album – Weird Al Yankovic | publisher = allmusic.com | url = http://www.allmusic.com/album/r183472 | accessdate = April 23, 2011}}</ref>
| rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{Cite web| last = Loftus | first = Johnny | title = The Food Album – Weird Al Yankovic | work = allmusic.com | url = http://www.allmusic.com/album/r183472 | access-date = April 23, 2011}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
| rev2 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
| rev2Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name ="rolling stone book">{{cite book| last = Brackett | first = Nathan | authorlink = |author2=Christian Hoard | title = The Rolling Stone Album Guide | publisher = Simon and Schuster | year = 2004 | location = New York City, New York | pages = [https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/893 893] | isbn = 0-7432-0169-8 | url = https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac| url-access = registration | quote = rolling stone weird al yankovic alapalooza review. }}</ref>
| rev2Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name ="rolling stone book">{{cite book| last = Brackett | first = Nathan |author2=Christian Hoard | title = The Rolling Stone Album Guide | publisher = Simon and Schuster | year = 2004 | location = New York City, New York | pages = [https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/893 893] | isbn = 0-7432-0169-8 | url = https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac| url-access = registration | quote = rolling stone weird al yankovic alapalooza review. }}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[The Buffalo News]]''
| rev3 = ''[[The Buffalo News]]''
| rev3Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name=buffalo/>
| rev3Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name=buffalo/>
Line 61: Line 59:
| rev4Score = (Negative)<ref name=longbeach/>
| rev4Score = (Negative)<ref name=longbeach/>
}}
}}
''The Food Album'' has received mixed reviews from most critics; many felt that while the album was amusing it was not an essential release. [[Allmusic]] reviewer Johnny Loftus awarded the album three out of five stars and wrote that, "''The Food Album'' is an enjoyable bag of treats. Just don't eat too much, or you'll probably get sick."<ref name="allmusic"/> Likewise, ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]'' awarded the album three out of five stars.<ref name ="rolling stone book"/> Anthony {{Not a typo|Violanti}} of ''[[The Buffalo News]]'' gave the album a moderately positive review and wrote that, "[t]here are two kinds of people in the world: those who love Weird Al Yankovic and those who can't stand him. Count me among the Weird One's biggest fans, and that's why I flipped out when listening to ''The Food Album''."<ref name=buffalo/> He concluded that the album was "like reading ''[[Mad (magazine)|Mad]]'' magazine"; he gave the record three stars out of five.<ref name=buffalo>{{cite news|last=Violanti|first=Anthony|title=Turn, Turn, Turner, the Singer Comes Full Circle to Show Her Mellow Side|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EAF96DE2818F6AF&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=0F8479522BD09CA1|accessdate=April 25, 2013|newspaper=[[The Buffalo News]]|publisher=[[Berkshire Hathaway]]|date=June 25, 1993}} {{subscription required}}</ref> Tim Grobaty of the ''[[Press-Telegram]]'', on the other hand, wrote negatively of the album, stating "Yankovic's songs are the kinds of things that are sort of funny in concept, less funny when you actually hear them once, and increasingly irritating with each subsequent listen [and] his food songs are among his worst."<ref name=longbeach>{{cite news|last=Grobaty|first=Tim|title=A Yowling Good Night for Concerts|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EAE8F07F004AF02&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=0F8479522BD09CA1|accessdate=April 25, 2013|newspaper=[[Press-Telegram]]|publisher=[[MediaNews Group]]|date=July 17, 1993}} {{subscription required}}</ref>
''The Food Album'' has received mixed reviews from most critics; many felt that while the album was amusing it was not an essential release. [[Allmusic]] reviewer Johnny Loftus awarded the album three out of five stars and wrote that, "''The Food Album'' is an enjoyable bag of treats. Just don't eat too much, or you'll probably get sick."<ref name="allmusic"/> Likewise, ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]'' awarded the album three out of five stars.<ref name ="rolling stone book"/> Anthony {{Not a typo|Violanti}} of ''[[The Buffalo News]]'' gave the album a moderately positive review and wrote that, "[t]here are two kinds of people in the world: those who love Weird Al Yankovic and those who can't stand him. Count me among the Weird One's biggest fans, and that's why I flipped out when listening to ''The Food Album''."<ref name=buffalo/> He concluded that the album was "like reading ''[[Mad (magazine)|Mad]]'' magazine"; he gave the record three stars out of five.<ref name=buffalo>{{cite news|last=Violanti|first=Anthony|title=Turn, Turn, Turner, the Singer Comes Full Circle to Show Her Mellow Side|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EAF96DE2818F6AF&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=0F8479522BD09CA1|access-date=April 25, 2013|newspaper=[[The Buffalo News]]|date=June 25, 1993}} {{subscription required}}</ref> Tim Grobaty of the ''[[Press-Telegram]]'', on the other hand, wrote negatively of the album, stating "Yankovic's songs are the kinds of things that are sort of funny in concept, less funny when you actually hear them once, and increasingly irritating with each subsequent listen [and] his food songs are among his worst."<ref name=longbeach>{{cite news|last=Grobaty|first=Tim|title=A Yowling Good Night for Concerts|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EAE8F07F004AF02&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=0F8479522BD09CA1|access-date=April 25, 2013|newspaper=[[Press-Telegram]]|date=July 17, 1993}} {{subscription required}}</ref>


===Commercial performance===
===Commercial performance===
Upon release, ''The Food Album'' failed to chart; however, it sold steadily. On January 25, 2006—more than ten years after its release—the album was certified [[Music recording sales certification|Gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA).<ref name="riaa">{{Cite web | title = Gold & Platinum – Search Results: 'Weird Al' Yankovic | publisher = Recording Industry Association of America | url = https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=weird+al#search_section
Upon release, ''The Food Album'' failed to chart; however, it sold steadily. On January 25, 2006—more than ten years after its release—the album was certified [[Music recording sales certification|Gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA).<ref name="riaa">{{Cite web | title = Gold & Platinum – Search Results: 'Weird Al' Yankovic | publisher = Recording Industry Association of America | url = https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=weird+al#search_section | access-date = April 17, 2011 }}</ref> This makes it Yankovic's first and only compilation album to sell over 500,000 copies and be certified Gold.<ref name="riaa"/>
| accessdate = April 17, 2011 }}</ref> This makes it Yankovic's first and only compilation album to sell over 500,000 copies and be certified Gold.<ref name="riaa"/>


==Track listing ==
==Track listing==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Track
!Track
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|3:37
|3:37
|"[[Bad (Michael Jackson song)|Bad]]" by [[Michael Jackson]]<ref name="liner">{{cite AV media notes|title=The Food Album|others="Weird Al" Yankovic|year=1993|type=liner|publisher=Scotti Brothers Records}}</ref>
|"[[Bad (Michael Jackson song)|Bad]]" by [[Michael Jackson]]<ref name="liner">{{cite AV media notes|title=The Food Album|others="Weird Al" Yankovic|year=1993|type=liner|publisher=Scotti Brothers Records}}</ref>
|align="left"|About a man's obesity that is blown out of proportion.<ref name="ewliner">{{cite AV media notes| title = Even Worse| others = [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]| year = 1987 | type = liner| publisher = [[Scotti Brothers Records]]}} Note: the original vinyl and CD release of the album contained complete liner notes, which included lyrics. The 1991 re-issue, however, does not feature liner notes.</ref>
|align="left"|About a man's obesity that is blown out of proportion.<ref name="ewliner">{{cite AV media notes| title = Even Worse| others = [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]| year = 1987 | type = liner| publisher = [[Scotti Brothers Records]]}} Note: the original vinyl and CD release of the album contained complete liner notes, which included lyrics. The 1991 re-issue, however, does not feature liner notes.</ref>
|''[[Even Worse]]''
|''[[Even Worse]]''
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
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|3:21
|3:21
|"[[Beat It]]" by [[Michael Jackson]]<ref name="liner"/>
|"[[Beat It]]" by [[Michael Jackson]]<ref name="liner"/>
|align="left"|About a parent's exasperating quest to get their picky child to eat right.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mather|first=Marianne|title=Story Time|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-13583610A6B437E8.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714121930/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-13583610A6B437E8.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 14, 2014|newspaper=[[Naperville Sun]]|publisher=[[Sun-Times Media Group]]|accessdate=April 29, 2013|date=February 20, 2011}} {{subscription required}}</ref>
|align="left"|About a parent's exasperating quest to get their picky child to eat right.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mather|first=Marianne|title=Story Time|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-13583610A6B437E8.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714121930/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-13583610A6B437E8.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 14, 2014|newspaper=[[Naperville Sun]]|access-date=April 29, 2013|date=February 20, 2011}} {{subscription required}}</ref>
|''[["Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D]]''
|''[["Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D]]''
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
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|2:43
|2:43
|"[[You Got It (The Right Stuff)]]" by [[New Kids on the Block]]<ref name="liner"/>
|"[[You Got It (The Right Stuff)]]" by [[New Kids on the Block]]<ref name="liner"/>
|align="left"|A song wherein the singer expresses his love for the filling that appears between [[Oreo]] cookies.<ref name="offdeepliner">{{cite AV media notes| title = Off the Deep End| others = [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]| year = 1992| type = liner| publisher = Scotti Brothers Records}}</ref>
|align="left"|A song wherein the singer expresses his love for the filling that appears between [[Oreo]] cookies.<ref name="offdeepliner">{{cite AV media notes| title = Off the Deep End| others = [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]| year = 1992| type = liner| publisher = Scotti Brothers Records}}</ref>
|''[[Off the Deep End]]''
|''[[Off the Deep End]]''
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
|8
|8
|"[[My Bologna]]"<ref name="19980716RS">{{cite journal| last = Tarnow| first = Noah| date = July 16, 1998| title = Don't Knock The Knack| journal = [[Rolling Stone]]| publisher = [[Jann Wenner]]| location = [[New York City]], [[United States|USA]]}}</ref>
|"[[My Bologna]]"<ref name="19980716RS">{{cite magazine| last = Tarnow| first = Noah| date = July 16, 1998| title = Don't Knock The Knack| magazine = [[Rolling Stone]]| location = [[New York City]], [[United States|USA]]}}</ref>
|2:01
|2:01
|"[[My Sharona]]" by [[The Knack]]
|"[[My Sharona]]" by [[The Knack]]
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|- align="center"
|- align="center"
|10
|10
|"Theme from Rocky XIII (The [[Rye bread|Rye]] or the [[Kaiser roll|Kaiser]])"<ref name="liner"/>
|"The [[Rye bread|Rye]] or the [[Kaiser roll|Kaiser]] (Theme from Rocky XIII)"<ref name="liner"/>
|3:37
|3:37
|"[[Eye of the Tiger]]" by [[Survivor (band)|Survivor]].<ref name="liner"/>
|"[[Eye of the Tiger]]" by [[Survivor (band)|Survivor]].<ref name="liner"/>
|align="left"|About a washed-up [[Rocky Balboa]], who now runs a [[Delicatessen|deli]] and occasionally beats up on the [[liverwurst]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Rabin|first=Nathan|title=Set List 'Weird Al' Yankovic|url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/weird-al-yankovic,58244/|publisher=[[The Onion]]|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=June 29, 2011|accessdate=July 2, 2011}}</ref>
|align="left"|About a washed-up [[Rocky Balboa]], who now runs a [[Delicatessen|deli]] and occasionally beats up on the [[liverwurst]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Rabin|first=Nathan|title=Set List 'Weird Al' Yankovic|url=https://www.avclub.com/weird-al-yankovic-1798226810|publisher=[[The Onion]]|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=June 29, 2011|access-date=July 2, 2011}}</ref>
|''[["Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D]]''
|''[["Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D]]''
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
Line 150: Line 147:
|3:21
|3:21
|"[[Beat It]]", [[Michael Jackson]]
|"[[Beat It]]", [[Michael Jackson]]
|align="left"|[[Karaoke]] version of "Eat It", included as a bonus track on the Japanese release.<ref name=hood/>
|align="left"|[[Karaoke]] version of "Eat It", included as a bonus track on the Japanese release.<ref name="hood">{{cite web |last=Yankovic |first=Alfred M. |author-link="Weird Al" Yankovic |title='Weird Al' Yankovic: Rare Items – The Food Album |url=http://weirdal.com/archives/miscellaneous/rare-items/gallery/rare-items/albums-compilations |access-date=April 23, 2011 |work=The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site}}</ref>
|''[[The Official Music of "Weird Al" Yankovic]]''
|''The Official Music of "Weird Al" Yankovic''
|-
|-
|}
|}


== Certifications ==
==Certifications==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
Line 166: Line 163:


==References==
==References==

===Footnotes===
===Footnotes===
{{reflist|3}}
{{Reflist|3}}


===Bibliography===
===Bibliography===
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{{"Weird Al" Yankovic}}
{{"Weird Al" Yankovic}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Food Album, The}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Food Album, The}}
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[[Category:"Weird Al" Yankovic compilation albums]]
[[Category:"Weird Al" Yankovic compilation albums]]
[[Category:1993 compilation albums]]
[[Category:1993 compilation albums]]
[[Category:Songs about food]]
[[Category:Rock 'n Roll Records compilation albums]]
[[Category:Rock 'n Roll Records compilation albums]]
[[Category:Scotti Brothers Records compilation albums]]
[[Category:Scotti Brothers Records compilation albums]]
[[Category:Rock 'n Roll Records albums]]
[[Category:Scotti Brothers Records albums]]

Latest revision as of 21:58, 13 November 2024

The Food Album
Compilation album by
"Weird Al" Yankovic
ReleasedJune 22, 1993
Recorded1982–92
GenreComedy, pop
Length30:57
LabelRock 'n Roll Records
Scotti Brothers Records
ProducerRick Derringer, "Weird Al" Yankovic
"Weird Al" Yankovic chronology
Off the Deep End
(1992) 		The Food Album
(1993) 		Alapalooza
(1993)

The Food Album is a compilation album by American singer-songwriter "Weird Al" Yankovic, released on June 22, 1993, by Scotti Brothers Records. The release features ten of Yankovic's song parodies, all of which pertain to food. A similar album, The TV Album, which features songs entirely about television, would be released two years later.

The album was begrudgingly released by Yankovic, who felt that the compilation was unnecessary and merely a way for his record label to make money. Several food-related songs that Yankovic had recorded, such as "Girls Just Want to Have Lunch" and "Waffle King", were left off the record, although the former was due to personal preference, while the latter was due to scheduling issues.

The Food Album received mixed reviews from music critics, many of whom felt that the record was an enjoyable collection of songs, but that it was not an essential record to purchase. Despite the lukewarm reception, the record was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), making it Yankovic's first and only compilation record to reach this certification.

Production

[edit]

Music

[edit]

The music featured on The Food Album spans a decade, with the earliest songs being recorded in 1982, and the most recent song being recorded in 1992.[1] Yankovic's first eponymous album has two songs featured: "I Love Rocky Road" and "My Bologna".[1][2] Both "Eat It" and "Theme from Rocky XIII (The Rye or the Kaiser)" were culled from the 1984 release, "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D.[1][3] "Addicted to Spuds" originally appeared on the 1986 release Polka Party!, and "Fat" and "Lasagna" were first featured on Yankovic's 1988 release Even Worse.[1][4][5] "Spam" first was released on the soundtrack to the 1989 film UHF.[1][6] The final two songs—"The White Stuff" and "Taco Grande"—were taken from the 1992 album Off the Deep End.[1][7]

Notable for its absence is "Girls Just Want to Have Lunch", from Dare to Be Stupid (1985). According to Yankovic, this is due to the fact there is a "royalty ceiling" on the albums and he needed to pick one song to cut from the list in order to turn a profit on the album. "Girls Just Want to Have Lunch" was chosen due to Yankovic's personal dislike of the song, as his record label had forced him to record it in order to release Dare to Be Stupid back in 1985.[8] Also absent from the release is "Waffle King." The song had originally been recorded for Off the Deep End. However, Yankovic decided to swap "Waffle King" with "I Was Only Kidding"—a song he had actually recorded for his next album—at the last minute; this forced Yankovic to shelve "Waffle King" for the time being.[9] The song was later released on "Smells Like Nirvana" single, as well as Yankovic's eighth studio album, Alapalooza, which was released four months after The Food Album.[10][11]

Release

[edit]

I don't mind putting out actual Greatest Hits albums every decade or so—I realize the value in that. I just have a problem when the record company tries to make a quick buck by putting out albums like Songs That Al Did In The Key Of F#.

"Weird Al" Yankovic, discussing why he was displeased with The Food Album[12]

The album was released by Scotti Brothers Records and was only begrudgingly approved by Yankovic. At the time, Scotti Brothers had insisted on putting out a new album by Yankovic in order to meet monetary projections at the time, despite the fact that no new album was ready (Alapalooza would not be released until later in the year). The label originally proposed a release entitled Al Unplugged, which would have featured studio remixes of previously released material, with the electronic instruments missing; the label also wanted the cover to feature Yankovic holding the cords of unplugged kitchen appliances. Yankovic did not enjoy this idea and convinced them to instead release The Food Album—"a concept [he] hated only slightly less"—but would later describe it as a "cheesy compilation" put out "against [his] better wishes and judgement."[13]

The TV Album was released under similar circumstances in 1995; however, when it came time to release the latter album, Yankovic reported that "the record company was a whole lot nicer when they asked the second time", and that there was "more groveling [and] less demanding".[14] Following the release of The Food Album and The TV Album—in addition to the various greatest hits records that had been released—Scotti Brothers used-up all of their compilation options in Yankovic's contract, which prevented the release of further compilations when Volcano Records acquired his contract in the late 1990s.[14]

Artwork

[edit]

The album artwork—which features a cartoon alien after it has eaten Yankovic—was created by Doug Lawrence, who is better known as "Mr. Lawrence", an American voice actor, comedian, writer, storyboard artist, animator and director.[15][16] The "grotesque" cover was Yankovic's "passive-aggressive protest" against his label for forcing out the album; Yankovic intended the alien having "picked the desiccated corpse of Weird Al clean" to be a reference to his record label "bleed[ing] his catalogue dry" by releasing the album.[16]

Reception

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[17]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[18]
The Buffalo News[19]
Press-Telegram(Negative)[20]

The Food Album has received mixed reviews from most critics; many felt that while the album was amusing it was not an essential release. Allmusic reviewer Johnny Loftus awarded the album three out of five stars and wrote that, "The Food Album is an enjoyable bag of treats. Just don't eat too much, or you'll probably get sick."[17] Likewise, The Rolling Stone Album Guide awarded the album three out of five stars.[18] Anthony Violanti of The Buffalo News gave the album a moderately positive review and wrote that, "[t]here are two kinds of people in the world: those who love Weird Al Yankovic and those who can't stand him. Count me among the Weird One's biggest fans, and that's why I flipped out when listening to The Food Album."[19] He concluded that the album was "like reading Mad magazine"; he gave the record three stars out of five.[19] Tim Grobaty of the Press-Telegram, on the other hand, wrote negatively of the album, stating "Yankovic's songs are the kinds of things that are sort of funny in concept, less funny when you actually hear them once, and increasingly irritating with each subsequent listen [and] his food songs are among his worst."[20]

Commercial performance

[edit]

Upon release, The Food Album failed to chart; however, it sold steadily. On January 25, 2006—more than ten years after its release—the album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[21] This makes it Yankovic's first and only compilation album to sell over 500,000 copies and be certified Gold.[21]

Track listing

[edit]
Track Title Length Parody of Description Original Album
1 "Fat"[15] 3:37 "Bad" by Michael Jackson[15] About a man's obesity that is blown out of proportion.[5] Even Worse
2 "Lasagna"[15] 2:46 "La Bamba"[15] as performed by Los Lobos A song centered largely around Italians and Italian cuisine.[5] Even Worse
3 "Addicted to Spuds"[15] 3:50 "Addicted to Love" by Robert Palmer[15] About a man's obsession for potatoes and potato-based dishes.[4] Polka Party!
4 "I Love Rocky Road"[15] 2:36 "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" as performed by Joan Jett[15] Narrator expresses his love towards the titular ice cream flavor.[22] "Weird Al" Yankovic
5 "Spam" 3:23 "Stand" by R.E.M.[15] About the canned luncheon meat Spam.[6] UHF - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff
6 "Eat It"[15] 3:21 "Beat It" by Michael Jackson[15] About a parent's exasperating quest to get their picky child to eat right.[23] "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D
7 "The White Stuff"[15] 2:43 "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" by New Kids on the Block[15] A song wherein the singer expresses his love for the filling that appears between Oreo cookies.[7] Off the Deep End
8 "My Bologna"[24] 2:01 "My Sharona" by The Knack The narrator talks about his obsession with bologna sausage.[24] "Weird Al" Yankovic
9 "Taco Grande"[15] 3:44 "Rico Suave" by Gerardo Mejía[15] About a narrator's visit to a fictional Mexican restaurant. Cheech Marin does a brief Spanish monologue in the song.[7] Off the Deep End
10 "The Rye or the Kaiser (Theme from Rocky XIII)"[15] 3:37 "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor.[15] About a washed-up Rocky Balboa, who now runs a deli and occasionally beats up on the liverwurst.[25] "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D
11 "Eat It (Karaoke Version)"[15] 3:21 "Beat It", Michael Jackson Karaoke version of "Eat It", included as a bonus track on the Japanese release.[26] The Official Music of "Weird Al" Yankovic

Certifications

[edit]
Country Certification
(sales thresholds)
United States Gold[21]

References

[edit]

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f Yankovic, Alfred M. (December 2007). "Recording Dates". The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  2. ^ "Weird Al" Yankovic (liner). Alfred "Weird Al" Yankovic. Scotti Brothers Records. 1983.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. ^ "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D (liner). "Weird Al" Yankovic. Scotti Brothers Records. 1984.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ^ a b Polka Party! (liner). "Weird Al" Yankovic. Scotti Brothers Records. 1986.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) Note: the original vinyl and CD release of the album contained complete liner notes, which included lyrics. The 1991 re-issue, however, does not feature liner notes.
  5. ^ a b c Even Worse (liner). "Weird Al" Yankovic. Scotti Brothers Records. 1987.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) Note: the original vinyl and CD release of the album contained complete liner notes, which included lyrics. The 1991 re-issue, however, does not feature liner notes.
  6. ^ a b UHF – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff (liner). "Weird Al" Yankovic. Scotti Brothers Records. 1989.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) Note: the original vinyl release of the album contained complete liner notes, which included lyrics and personnel. The CD re-issue, however, only features minimal liner notes.
  7. ^ a b c Off the Deep End (liner). "Weird Al" Yankovic. Scotti Brothers Records. 1992.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ^ Yankovic, Alfred M. (December 1998). "'Ask Al' Q&As for December 1998". The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  9. ^ Yankovic, Alfred M. (March–April 1999). "'Ask Al' Q&As for March/April, 1996". The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  10. ^ Smells Like Nirvana CD single (liner notes). "Weird Al" Yankovic. California, USA: Scotti Brothers Records. 1992.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ Alapalooza (liner). "Weird Al" Yankovic. Scotti Brothers Records. 1993.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ Yankovic, Alfred M. (June 1999). "'Ask Al' Q&As for June, 1999". The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  13. ^ Yankovic, Alfred M. (February 1999). "'Ask Al' Q&As for February 1999". The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  14. ^ a b Yankovic, Alfred M. (May 1999). "'Ask Al' Q&As for May, 1999". The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s The Food Album (liner). "Weird Al" Yankovic. Scotti Brothers Records. 1993.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ a b Rabin and Yankovic, p. 77
  17. ^ a b Loftus, Johnny. "The Food Album – Weird Al Yankovic". allmusic.com. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  18. ^ a b Brackett, Nathan; Christian Hoard (2004). The Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York City, New York: Simon and Schuster. pp. 893. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8. rolling stone weird al yankovic alapalooza review.
  19. ^ a b c Violanti, Anthony (June 25, 1993). "Turn, Turn, Turner, the Singer Comes Full Circle to Show Her Mellow Side". The Buffalo News. Retrieved April 25, 2013. (subscription required)
  20. ^ a b Grobaty, Tim (July 17, 1993). "A Yowling Good Night for Concerts". Press-Telegram. Retrieved April 25, 2013. (subscription required)
  21. ^ a b c "Gold & Platinum – Search Results: 'Weird Al' Yankovic". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 17, 2011.
  22. ^ Rabin and Yankovic, p. 33
  23. ^ Mather, Marianne (February 20, 2011). "Story Time". Naperville Sun. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2013. (subscription required)
  24. ^ a b Tarnow, Noah (July 16, 1998). "Don't Knock The Knack". Rolling Stone. New York City, USA.
  25. ^ Rabin, Nathan (June 29, 2011). "Set List 'Weird Al' Yankovic". The A.V. Club. The Onion. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  26. ^ Yankovic, Alfred M. "'Weird Al' Yankovic: Rare Items – The Food Album". The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site. Retrieved April 23, 2011.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Rabin, Nathan; Yankovic, Alfred M. (September 25, 2012). Weird Al: The Book. Abrams Image. ISBN 9781419704352.
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