I Think We're All Bozos on This Bus [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED]

Firesign Theatre

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 4, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 1971
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00005T7IT
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #71,338 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hi-fi, sci-fi comedy classic from Firesign!, December 20, 2001

By A Customer

'Bozos" is another in a series of classic albums put out by the Firesign Theatre during their late-60s - '70s heyday. It is the most science-fiction-influenced of their albums and was inspired by the (then) dawn of the computer age and old World's Fairs from the past. Set at the "Future Fair," it presents a very funny re-thinking of the history of Man as viewed through a Disneyland-esque interactive amusement park ride which culminates with a visit to a robotic version of "The President," which our computer-hacker hero promptly de-programs. Power and goverment are very much themes of this album. The lead character's (Phil Proctor) motives are a bit more cloudy than on other Firesign albums, but this does not mar the laugh quotient one bit. Highlights include frequent appearances from the Theme Parks "mascots" (Phil Austin's the Whisperin' Squash, David Ossman's the Lonesome Beet, & Peter Bergman's Artie Choke) and a group of academics' theories of evolution presented to a classroom of bored students. Oh, did I mention that it was really funny? Grab this comedy classic before it goes out of print again (it's just now been re-released after nearly a decade in moratorium) and check out laugh.com for other classic Firesign re-releases like "Everything You Know Is Wrong" and "In the Next World, You're On Your Own").

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stuck in my head, September 11, 2005

By	Wayne A. (Belfast, Northern Ireland) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

I don't think I've heard this album from top to bottom in 20 years but barely a week goes by when some line or other from it doesn't pass through my head and often out my mouth without my even realizing the source. Firesign's take on the "Brave New World" future was--like nearly everything they've done--a bit too accurate as prophesy. The world we live in today, from Bush to Wal-Mart to Prozac to what today is the anniversary of, comes straight out of this album and it's a wonder back then that more of us didn't see this as inevitable. This work predates a movie actor as President by many years; Arnold as governor of California was a foregone conclusion to these guys in 1970; Most cable TV and film look like Firesign pieces.

Some smart arse once said that in decadent and declining times the only job left for intelligent people to do is satire. No, this album isn't a laugh riot, and it's not intended to be. It's a very humorous, witty, and often brilliant commentary on the end of an era. This group will be remembered in the distant future as one of the best chroniclers of the Fall.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not their best, but a must for fans, March 8, 2002

By	Craig Clarke (New England) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This album does not reach the manic highs of such masterpieces as "Don't Crush the Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers" and "How Can You Be in Two Places at Once When You're Not Anywhere at All" (and those of you who are not Firesign Theatre fans are scratching your heads at those titles, or, perhaps, like me, you are intrigued), but it is still a solid effort from the Four or Five Crazee Guys.

The science-fiction element of this album is not overwhelming, so do not be put off by that. The main thing is the humor. Any Firesign album is good for several laughs, and this one is no different. And the best things about their albums is that one is actually rewarded with repeat listenings. New nuances are constantly being discovered. Also, this album is part of a trilogy consisting of the two above albums, so it is interesting to see how the two link together.

Also, the Firesigns are always self-referential, so listening to more of their albums makes one realize that, not unlike Stephen King novels, these actions are all taking place within their own separate consistent universe.

Although, I would not recommend this for someone starting out with the Firesign Theatre (that title goes to "How Can You Be..." above), it is certainly a good third or fourth buy for the newly burgeoning fan.