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ALF Week: Day 5- Alles, Paradiso!

 So yesterday I mentioned that the only theme park experience that featured ALF was in Germany. This is probably because ALF was something close to a God in Germany due to the show's popularity over there. Along with the success of the show, the voice actor who provided the voice of Alf in the German dub, Tommi Piper, also quickly rose to stardom. Piper has a giant list of credits of dubbing work, way too many to name here, so here's a link to them which I recommend checking out: Tommi Piper's Credits. 

In 1989, Tommi Piper would provide more than just Alf's speaking voice with the release of the album "Alles, Paradiso!" in which of course German Alf sings a collection of original songs. The album was produced by Anthony Monn who has over over 200 production credits and nearly 600 writing credit, all of which where I largely don't recognize anything. This particular album features Alf singing over Schalger-esque music accompaniments and according to the titles he sings about all sorts of stuff. Here's a list of the tracks with their English translations:

1. Alf Wird Unser Bundeskanzler (Alf Becomes our Federal Chancellor)

2. Tujujahe (Es Tut So Wohl, Schön Faul Zu Sein) (It's So Good To Be Nice, To Be Lazy)

3. Alf- Superstar

4. Leben Ist Gold (Life is Gold)

5. Alf's Geburtstags-Boogie-Woogie (Alf's Birthday Boogie Woogie)

6. Rhonda

7. Alles Paradiso (All Paradise)

8. Sandkastenrocker (Sandpit Rocker)

9. Alles Null Problemo Leute (Everything Zero Problem People)

10. Ach Wie Gern Wär Ich Jetzt Auf Meinem Stern (Oh, How I Would Like To Be On My Star Now)

Now, there are plenty of albums that are based on IP that are obvious cash grabs that I end up really enjoying... for example McGruff's Smart Kids album and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle's Coming Out of Our Shells. But even though I've listened to plenty of these kinds of albums and enjoy them sometimes past the point of irony I don't believe I've ever come across songs that I would describe as beautiful and moving like I did on "Alles, Paradiso". Some of the tracks obviously give off a standard Euro Pop feel and sometimes a semi-Pet Shop Boy's feeling but then I arrived at "Leben Ist Gold". It starts off with a melancholy synth and a gentle clean guitar and Alf gives a monologue. A piano calmly enters the fray as Alf starts to sing in very much a lullaby like manner. After the first chorus a sample of birds chirping starts playing and if you aren't already struck with a feeling of serenity I promise when those birds kick in you feel it. Another track I'd like to mention is "Rhonda". The character Rhonda is an apparently beautiful Melmacian who Alf is supposed to go on a date with but is interrupted by the destruction of their planet. This song is probably the highlight of the album and starts off with a female voice, presumably Rhonda, singing the enchanting theme of the tune. Alf comes in with his response in the form of a verse and pre-chorus backed by a very 80s drum loop and soaring synths. The song builds with additions of more sounds and instruments and plus the intensity of Alf's voice increases as he longs for his lost love. 

If you're into these kinds of albums I would for sure recommend "Alles, Paradiso" slides into your rotation. The album is on YouTube but I made a playlist arranging the tracks in the order as they appear on the album: Alles, Paradiso Playlist.  

Tomorrow is Saturday and maybe you know what that means as we conclude ALF Week.





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