From the very beginning, The Simpsons have always used music and parodies of popular music, themes songs, and musicals for comedic effect. As time went on, and the writing seemed to slip, the musical parodies and lampoons still seemed sharp and fresh.

Sometimes, those songs were the ONLY truly funny things on the shows, and fans clamored for copies of those them, and soon two CDs of songs from the show were released. Even stripped from the context of the show, those songs were inventive and hilarious, and much better than the albums they released of “original songs.”

The third volume of tunes from the show, Testify was recently released. It will bring back memories, mostly good, of the past nine seasons of songs.

Of course, this being The Simpsons, there’s a veritable plethora of guests and cameos, from Los Lobos‘ inspired version of the closing theme, to Mr. T, Charo, Charlie Callas, and that guy who always went “You can call me Ray, and you can call me Jay…” making fun of themselves as being has-beens that play in Branson. An assortment of artists, from Shawn Colvin to David Byrne to Weird Al to Jackson Browne also appear. Even the Baha Men are immortalized.

Most all of these songs are downright gut-busting. Every time I hear “Glove Slap” by the B-52’s, or the inspired “Song Of The Jockeys” I fall over in laughter. When Krusty the Clown says, “Try my new Krusty Ribwich! MMMM….I don’t mind the taste!” that’s comedy gold!

There are 41 tracks on this CD (including some bonus cuts) and most of them are winners. On some tracks, they string together similar pieces that are found throughout the show (like “Everyone Hates Ned Flanders” with David Byrne – watch out for the Simoniz!) or the song in the show that’s played over the end credits (like Weird Al’s “Homer And Marge”).

The secret weapon is Alf Clausen. Who? Alf Clausen! He’s the one that composes the score for the show every week, and his orchestra makes the magic happen!

Yet the comedy riches almost seem too much of a good thing. The stunt casting gag gets a little old. (Steve Buscemi?) I was listening to this on an airplane ride from Indianapolis to Minneapolis, and after I was two-thirds of the way through, it was getting a bit stale. So listening to this collection in one setting may be tough.

However, this is a very worthwhile collection, and it’s excellent to put on your iPod playlists for a change of pace. Nothing like hearing “Welcome To Moe’s” or “Song of Shelbyville” juxtaposed to Celtic Frost, you know!