Har Mar Superstar

Item: The Handler
Author: Mike Leech

The Handler

(2004)

Reviewed by Mike Leech

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Label Record CollectionDecapolisDecember 2004

funk pop r&b

As far as pop music goes, it doesn't get much more disposable than this. Har Mar Superstar (a.k.a. Sean Na Na, a.k.a. Sean Tillman) has somehow forged a three album career out of a joke that it seems even he doesn't find funny anymore. The self-proclaimed superstar's shtick is most prominently and effectively displayed in his live performances, where the slightly overweight and balding "soul man" strips down to his whitey tighties while belting out his dance party brand of sexed-up R&B, somehow retaining a straight face simultaneously.

It's a funny enough idea and it might make for a pretty memorable concert experience, but it just doesn't pan out on this album. Now this isn't to say that there aren't a few high points. On the bouncy, Stevie Wonderesque opener, "Transit," Tillman has a group of cheery young ladies repeat after him, "Har Mar is so sexy. He gets all the ladies. I want him to touch me, 'cause I want to have his babies." Lines like this are so clever and stupid at the same time that for a few brief moments, The Handler starts to sound kind of good. Heck, the music's fun, the beats are funky, the lyrics are kind of amusing--why not just sit back and enjoy it?

Because there are eleven songs left to go.

With the debatable exception of "DUI," a wickedly funny anthem for drunk drivers, the remainder of the album finds Har Mar very noticeably going through the motions. On the one hand you can't really blame the guy. After all, this is his third full length album trying to squeeze as much juice as he can from a joke that wasn't the juiciest to begin with. But on the other hand, The Handler just isn't the type of record that anyone could ever fall in love with. Kind of like that new Fat Albert movie.

1.5/4