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. ~ Tim Sheridan