By Robert Barowski/ne news editor
   First there was Weird Al Yankovic, then came Cletus T. Judd, but no ne has gone in the direction of parodying songs that Richard Cheese has to provide musical laughter.
   Rather than taking hit songs and reworking them to create something new, as Weird Al has with songs like “Eat It,” a parody of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It,” Cheese merely reworks and condenses the songs to produce an old-time Frank Sinatra feel.
   Imagine if you will a finger-snapping, swinging rendition of Disturb’s “Down with the Sickness.”
   The opportunity to laugh is too big to pass up.
   Cheese’s latest album is a best-of compilation, featuring hits from Nirvana, Motley Crue, Slipknot, Beastie Boys, Snoop Dogg, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Pink Floyd, The Clash, Van Halen and many more musical acts.
   The title even offers a chance to laugh as it too pokes at Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. Cheese offers us The Sunny Side of the Moon.
   The album features many new big band versions of works that are found on Cheese’s previous albums.
   IAll tracks are done in the Jazz Club feel, featuring a big brass band, with Cheese providing the Sinatra-like vocals.
   It is certainly different to hear Slipknot’s “People Equals S____” done this way.
   IHowever, it does not sound bad.
   In fact, it sounds great, and Cheese should be hailed as a genius.
   The difference from the original to Cheese’s version almost makes modern jazz and swing seem cool again.
   Nearly everyone can appreciate this album, which has songs for everyone.
   Even people not truly familiar with the original works can laugh at the wonderful lyrics.
   Those people who are U2 fans, can enjoy “Sunday Bloody Sunday.”
   The one and only problem with the album is the length of the songs.
   Right as one is jamming along to a song, all of a sudden it is over and Cheese has moved on.
   The longest track is 2:40, not nearly long enough to truly enjoy The Offspring.
   By doing that, Cheese sells himself short. He does do a good job though of capturing the essence of each song and playing that up for the audience.
   His rendition of “Baby Got Back” captures the best parts and cuts out the fat, no pun intended.
   The best track on the album is the cover of “Nookie” by Limp Bizkit. Fred Durst, Limp’s lead singer, has worked hard to prove himself as a hardcore rapper and rocker over the years. Cheese is able to ruin Durst’s efforts in a mere 1:46.
   The album and Cheese’s work are not for everyone, though the album is very good. One must have an appreciation for humor and big band swing to truly enjoy the music.