OozakCaseyporn, despite the name, does not seek to distribute or receive porn. Sorry to disappoint you. Instead, it is the hallowed home of Oozak — the hip, happening kazoo band whose approach to the most maligned musical instrument is taking the world by storm. Move over, Britney.
Fronted by creative visionary Geoffrey Leventhem, Oozak has already released three groundbreaking albums. The self-titled first, released n the late 1990s, merely whet the public's appetite for kazoo, with covers of standard pop favorites. They followed up with Jazoo, which showcased a sound so original that most listeners were left saying "Saxa-what?" Most recently, Oozak has completed Zooloop, in which they experiment with hip-hop sensibilities and a hint of electronica …
Snerk. I may not be serious here, folks, but without the assistance of the not-to-be missed Flash media intro, it's tough to figure out that caseyporn isn't either. The extensive "discography" and several essays on "Kazoo Theory" — did you know there are three different ways to hold the darn things? — leave the Web visitor with the vague, unsettled feeling familiar to all casual observers of Eminem. You don't know exactly where the joke ends. Is Oozak the way some blogger wastes time? A biting satire on puff music? Or something more sinister altogether?
The jury is still out, and I'd be only too happy to show you why. Find "Groove is in the Heart" in the samples section. Listen to it. Yes, my friends, aside from a funky beat and some seriously smooth kazoo stylings, Oozak boasts a voice. A voice familiar to millions. A voice that, once heard perverted to the lyrics of this "90s dance classic, will likely haunt you in the darkest corner of your dreams. A voice that's just bucking for a lawsuit, as soon as the Apple people stop rolling around under their desks in hysterics.
My only question is why is it my responsibility to bring this new music to you, devoted Planet readers? Why did Scott and Wade drop the Oozak ball? Hmmmmmm. …
—Diana Peterfreund
This article appears in Sep 11-17, 2002.
