Poodle Hat | ||||
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Studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic | ||||
Released | May 20, 2003 | |||
Recorded | March 26, 2002 – March 21, 2003 | |||
Genre | Comedy, parody | |||
Length | 54:38 | |||
Label | Volcano | |||
Producer | "Weird Al" Yankovic | |||
"Weird Al" Yankovic chronology | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | |
Billboard | Positive |
Entertainment Weekly | B |
Rolling Stone |
Poodle Hat is the eleventh studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic, released on May 20, 2003. It was the seventh studio album self-produced by Yankovic. The musical styles on the album are built around parodies and pastiches of pop of the early-2000s. The album's lead single, "Couch Potato", is a parody of "Lose Yourself" by Eminem. The single failed to chart, although the album's song "eBay" (a parody of "I Want It That Way" by Backstreet Boys) eventually peaked at number 115 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2007.
The album featured five parodies. Aside from the aforementioned "Couch Potato" and "eBay", the album also spoofs "Hot in Herre" by Nelly, "Complicated" by Avril Lavigne, and "Piano Man" by Billy Joel. The album includes six original songs, featuring many "style parodies", or musical imitations of existing artists. These style parodies include imitations of specific artists like Ben Folds, Beck, and Frank Zappa. A polka medley of popular songs was also included on the album. A music video for the song "Couch Potato" was planned but was cancelled due to objections by Eminem.
Poodle Hat was released as an Enhanced CD, meaning that when the disc is placed in a computer, bonus content (including alternate song mixes, short videos, and photo galleries) are viewable. The album met with mixed reviews from critics; some felt that the album represented an artistic misstep for Yankovic, whereas others enjoyed its skewering of early 2000s popular culture. The album peaked at number 17 on the Billboard 200. The album also peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Comedy Albums chart, making it the first of Yankovic's records to earn a position on said chart.