Review: Wall & Couch Shortweird Radio
In 2003, a handful of Canadian comedy titans came together to get silly. The result never became the wackadoo radio show of their dreams, but it did make for a successful sketch comedy album. After Less is More, a 2019 re-release of their favourite bits, Shortweird Radio follows up with Wall & Couch. The collection of unreleased tracks is a tour through pop culture parodies, gallows humour, and kooky narratives.
The ensemble features improviser Marcel St. Pierre, Air Farce’s Jessica Holmes, and Second City touring alum Tabitha Wells among others. With enthusiastic performances that aren’t afraid to ‘go there’, the group seems like they’re having a great time.
Highlights include the increasingly absurd product “Hair Go Bye-Bye”, and a mysterious event at a “Late Night Diner”.
There are a lot of promising premises here, but they might benefit from a 2020 punch up. Some ideas feel familiar and could use a twist. The best example of this is a runner featuring “lost tapes” from The Beatles. Performer Mike Frolick captures the cadence, but listeners may be left waiting for a surprise ending.
It’s a fun visit with some favourites on the Canadian scene, but today’s weird audiences may want it weirder.
Wall & Couch was released August 7, 2020.
Listen to it here.
Late Night Diner · Shortweird Radio Wall & Couch ℗
