Customer Reviews

Die Laughing

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For those of you haven't heard of him, Doug Stanhope is one of the most talented and outrageous comedians working stand-up today. A gifted storyteller and writer, Stanhope mines his prodigious libido and colorful life as sources for his comedy. Less autobiographical than his earlier "Sicko" (I haven't listened to his other albums), the appropriately titled "Die Laughing" finds Stanhope injecting a dose of brutal nihilism into his raunchy material. I laughed, and I laughed hard, but I certainly wasn't in a happy mood after hearing the material on this album. Stanhope is often compared to the late, great Bill Hicks, and that is in some ways an apt comparison. Both men were enemies of the forces of hypocrisy and reaction, clever satirists of the human condition, and razor-sharp storytellers and comedians. Hicks' comedy, however, though often dark and aggressive, was leavened by his belief in human evolutionary potential. By contrast, Stanhope's material is far darker, for he evinces no faith in anything beyond sex, death, and human stupidity. Hearing this album, I could almost picture Stanhope killing himself on stage as a final punch line. This isn't meant as a criticism of Stanhope's material, since its not for me to sentimentalize the purity of his vision or his role as an artist. . . Anyway, don't let the way-too pretentious blather in this review stop you from buying this album. Stanhope is a comic treasure.

Comedian Doug Stanhope is truly an antidote for the inoffensive blandness of many mainstream standup comedians. Hard to believe this is the same guy who hosted "The Man Show" and "Girls Gone Wild." There's no vacuous, fratboy humor here. In fact, one of the edgiest (and funniest) bits is a pro-school shootings rant in which Stanhope confesses his secret high school desire to "kill all the jocks." It is true that Stanhope's raunchy sex jokes are a big part of his appeal, but his consistent stance on behalf of the little guy (and girl) completely separates him from the dimwitted Andrew Dice Clays of the world.

All that said, "Die Laughing" is probably the best of Stanhope's CD recordings (along with "Something to Take the Edge Off"). If you're looking for a place to get acquainted with his extreme verve, this would be the place to start.

Die laughing is the almost complete transformation of Stanhope from a autobiographical comic ("Sicko" is basically just all stories from his life) to one as a social critquer of our society. I personally believe Stanhope is at his best when he's doing an almost even mix of the two, as "A little something to take the edge off" was. This cd leaves the listener feeling angry at the end, which is how Doug probably intended for it to turn out, almost like talk radio does. That is not to say this cd is not funny, Stanhope on his worst day could blow the socks off of any other living comic (maybe even Hicks?) and this cd delivers many of those laugh at loud outrageous off the cuff comments you've come to expect of Stanhope. Just the theme is a little too dark. If you have Stanhope's other cds and are very familiar with him then buy this one immediately. If you are a beginner I would recommend "Something to take the edge off" first, then "Sicko" and then this cd. It's not for people who are just beginning to study the brilliance and art of Stanhope's work. (Believe me, it is truly brilliant and it is art)

What can you say about Doug Stanhope that hasn't already been said?

As a comedian he's up there with the likes of Bill Hicks and Lenny Bruce; as an observer of the encroaching banality of the soulless franchised-corporate lifestyle that most people sell themselves into without a second thought, he's up there with Henry Miller (read the passages in which Miller decries the increasing oppression of personal freedom and the soullessness of an increasingly corporate America in The Air-Conditioned Nightmare or The Colossus of Maroussi (Second Edition)and compare them with Stanhope's thoughts on the same and you'll see that they're kindred spirits) and as an orator he is absolutely fearless.

If you're offended by what he says, that's a good thing; if you can laugh at the points he makes, even better; and if you can see the sense of what he's getting at, then maybe there's hope for you yet. Either way, he is undoubtedly the funniest stand-up comedian working in America today and with "Die Laughing" he knocks it out of the park.

Whether he's calling George W. Bush out on the hypocrisy of calling a school sniper a coward, the insanity of arbitrary driving legislation and scripture-quoting politicians, explaining how sodomy can save the planet, or extolling the joys of sex with strippers with checkered pasts, if you're anything like me he will have you choking with laughter and nodding along in agreement at the bald, unvarnished truth of what he's saying.

If you enjoy Doug Stanhopes other cds/specials or you are into foul mouthed cringe humor, this cd is definately for you. Lots of funny bits on here.

Not for everybody, but for people who like black humor and strong satyrical contents, it's a blast...

this guy is one of the funniest muthafackers ive ever heard. and hes so brutally honest. he has the weirdest point of view of things. many people cant handle this. like he always says "i feel like im leading you guys into battle, you wont all be here in the end" if you dont mind vulgar crazy comedy. then check this guy out. youll love him, i know i did, he can always make me laugh.

Doug Stanhope puts out a consistently off beat style of comedy. The set featured on this album lives up to the standards of his previous efforts. Doug Stanhope is a different kind of funny, kind of like watching someone beat the hell out of a Mime. His Humor is not as deep as a guy like Dennis Miller, but requires more thought than a guy like Chris Rock. I think anyone who enjoys Lewis Black, Joe Rogan, or any of Doug's previous albums will get a laugh out of this CD. If you're easily offened this CD probably isn't for you, if you have a good sense of humor and can laugh at something because it is a joke, this album is a decent buy.