For those not familiar with this quirky musical duo, Flight of the Conchords is the comedy-child of Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie. As well as being stand-up comedy musicians (a hard act to pull off), the two stars have created their own self-titled television series, which is now into its second season – due on our screens later this year.

The Distant Future features original songs, each a classic in its own right. You’ll laugh out loud at their clever lyrics and dead-pan parodies – and set your player to repeat. Listen out for the heartfelt ‘Beautiful Girl’ (”you are the most beautiful girl in the room”) and the heartbroken ‘I’m Not Crying’ (”these aren’t tears, it’s just been raining on my face”).

Released in August last year, the Distant Future was just a taster of more to come – in the words of one reviewer, a tidbit “to satisfy the group’s growing rabid fan base” while a more substantial offering was recorded. A full-length album is due for release in the United States on 22 April. Until then, you’ll have to get your fix of offbeat comedy and alt-folk tunes by buying the award-winning Flight of the Conchords EP.

. (Yes, I have been heard to rave about Clement’s performance in Eagle vs Shark).

This comic musical duo has hit the bigtime in America, a notoriously difficult market to crack. With humour that’s refreshingly dry, the series has attracted a cult following in America, the United Kingdom and at home. Sure, they’re funny to us, but it’s rare for our comedy to translate so well globally. Defying the odds, the show has been dubbed “a very smart, very funny show” by reviewers (and viewers) everywhere. All those YouTube clips, ringtones, t-shirts and ‘Conchordisms’ being thrown around are sure signs these Kiwis are soaring to heady heights.

Now, I’ll admit I heard the hype long before I laid ears on the dulcet tones of these two quirky songbirds, but unlike many hyped acts these guys live up to their publicity. The show’s premise is simple: two Kiwi musicians head to London to make it big, with only a stalkeresque fan and a manager who can’t seem to land them any gigs. Sounds like this might be based on a true story?

If you’re not yet a Conchords convert, tune in for classic love ballads like these: “You’re so beautiful, you could be a waitress… You could be an air hostess in the Sixties… You’re so beautiful, you could be a part-time model, but you’d probably still have to keep your normal job.”

Mondays, 10:00pm on Prime Television. Be there.