Complaints & Grievances

George Carlin | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 11, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B00005T60X
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,050 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #12 in Music > Miscellaneous > Comedy > Classic Comedy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not what it could have been, January 13, 2002

By 

Sean Whitmore (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complaints & Grievances (Audio CD)

As an avid Carlin freak, I jumped at the chance to see my favorite comedian when he was performing in Vegas in August of 2001. George was doing the standup circuit, testing out his new material for the HBO Special to be taped in November. At the time, the name of his tour (which also would have been the name of the special) was "I Kinda Like It When A Whole Lotta People Die". The act was pretty much the same as "Complaints and Grievances", except for a long and hilarious routine that dealt with his love of accidents, people dying, and stuff exploding on the news.

Then, of course, Sept. 11 came along. Boom, all that great stuff was cut out, and the title of the concert gets changed. What appeared in the concert (and, subsequently, this album) was good stuff, but not great stuff. The jokes George nixed was great stuff. If he chose not to use this material out of respect, then I'm fine with that, although it doesn't sound like something he'd do and I'm left with the sickening feeling that someone along the way forced these changes upon him. Hopefully, it'll return for his next album, however long a wait that might be.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars (...)not his best, December 15, 2001

By 

WorknMan "worknman" (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complaints & Grievances (Audio CD)

I was expecting a lot more from this album than I actually got, mainly because I thought Carlin would talk at length about the WTC terrorist attacks. But, this subject is just kind of glossed over. About the only thing he talks about is his 'chemical warfare' solution, which was kinda funny.
Then he goes on to traffic accidents which is ok, and then on to peeling various things (such as scabs) off of his body, which was completely unfunny. This is definitely the low point of the album. At this point during the 'scab' routine, obviously sensing that the audience was getting sick of it, he says something like "maybe I went a little too far" and then goes on to something else.
However, the album starts to pick up after this point as he goes into people that should be killed (great!) and the ten commandments (pretty good).
It seems that Carlin can't make up his mind whether he wants to do disgusting 'bathroom humor' material or witty & disturbing social commentary. Though I am a fan of both when it comes to comedy, Carlin just doesn't seem very capable of mixing the two the very well.
If you are a Carlin fan, this may make for a decent listen if your expectations aren't too high. If you're not a Carlin fan, this will do little to change your mind.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Don't get me wrong, but I love George Carlin., February 22, 2005

By 

J. J. McIntosh "Artist" (IN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Complaints & Grievances (Audio CD)

Every CD up until this one, I would give 5 out of 5. I love his humor, but something in this was just lacking. It seemed like a bunch of corny jokes put together rather than thought provoking stand-up. Given he does tell a lot of "jokes", they usually follow a theme with a start and a finish. In this CD, it is all thrown together with simple humor. I hope the man isn't loosing his touch.