Songs in the key of crap

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that William Hung's Inspiration is the most legitimate product ever spawned from the "American Idol" empire. That's not really saying much, seeing as how most '80s Neil Diamond albums are far better than anything by Kelly, Clay or Ruben, but it's at least saying something. Hung's pure novelty value is far more entertaining than any stylist-created teen crooning "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" repeatedly.\nHung, a 21-year-old engineering student at the University of California, Berkeley, knows his appeal is fragile, but still he throws what soul he has into each song. The first time through, this album is pure hilarity, infinitely more so if you're under the influence. However, as with most middle-brow comedy, the laughs thin out upon repeated trips. Simply put, the joke wears off fast.\nSongs in Hung's cannon include butcherings of "Hotel California," "I Believe I Can Fly" and an Elton John triple threat ("Can You Feel the Love Tonight?," "Circle of Life" and "Rocket Man"). Each of the 11 songs on Inspiration is recorded with mediocre production and features Hung's painfully grating, karaoke-style vocal attempts.\nPerhaps the only respectable aspects of this silly romp are the four tracks featuring Hung's words of gratitude and inspiration. This guy could very well be the most appreciative and humble person in the music business. He honestly believes he's doing some good by simply being himself, and maybe he is. \nDespite his child-like appearance and hideous efforts at flexing his non-existent vocal range, William Hung inspires us all to believe that in 21st century America, anyone can garner fleeting fame and fortune by just being their goofy self.