Solo debut by Bret McKenzie, one half of New Zealand’s most popular comedy folk duo, Flight of the Conchords, who has contributed music to the Muppets movie reboots, films in the Pirates and Dora canons, and The Simpsons. Songs Without Jokes harkens back to the greats of the ‘70s singer-songwriter era, with songs reminiscent of the finest work of Harry Nilsson, Randy Newman, and even a touch of Elvis Costello.