LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III : SOCIAL STUDIES

1. What Gives
2. Tonya's Twirls
3. New Street People
4. Carmine Street
5. O.J.
6. leap of Faith
7. Conspiracies
8. Christmas Morning
9. Y2K
10. Number One
11. Bad Man
12. Inaugural Blues
13. Our Boy Bill
14. Jesse Don't Like It
15. Pretty Good Day

Label : Rykodisc

Time : 53:09

Release Year : 1999

Review (AllMusic) : Most of these topical songs were penned for National Public Radio on events of the day such as Tonya Harding, O.J. Simpson and the Y2K crisis. But rather than playing like Tom Lehrer (or worse (gasp), Mark Russell), they are invested with Wainwright's typical insight and biting wit. Sure, you'll laugh, but who else could make Jesse Helms seem such a tragic character with the refrain, "Jesse's favorite painting is the one of the clown/With the daisy in his hand and the tear rolling down." More classics from the dark genius.