Rize of the Fenix

One look at the album art—a penis and testicles soaring on fiery phoenix wings—and we can gather Tenacious D is still sexually deranged. So what’s changed since Jack Black and Kyle Gass released 2006’s The Pick of Destiny? Aside from the usual references to their other-worldly musical and sexual abilities and how awesome their friendship is, Rize of the Fenix features a ballad dedicated to roadies ("Roadie"), a satirical attempt at being environmentally conscious that turns into a expos” on how cool owning a spaceship would be ("Deth Starr") and a history of rock music packed into a little less than two minutes ("Rock is Dead"). As always, the duo does an excellent job making a mockery of hard-rock clich"s, while making you nod your head in the process. But some of the album’s best moments are during the skits, in which Jack poses as an excessively physical classical guitar teacher and Kyle reveals he has been sneaking into the studio to “lay down flute tracks.” Be warned: this album is not for those with a refined sense of humor. Or taste in music. Or album art.