Customer Reviews

Talk is Cheap Volume 2

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I love good ol' Hank, he is usually consistently funny and unapologetically crass. The problem I have with this CD however is that it is nearly identical to volume one. I realize that these were two nights in the same venue, but I assumed since they recorded them separately they would contain different material.

Not so much.

Even volume one has some of the same stories as the "Rollins in the Wry" and "Think Tank" albums. I know Rollins sticks to a loose script and therefore every show is different and unique, but these were just not varied enough to warrant spending $10 on the same thing.

If you bought volume one, don't buy volume two. Otherwise, you might be ok.

Of the four Talk Is Cheap albums by Henry Rollins, Volume 2 is the best of the lot. On this album, Henry is entertaining throughout as he discusses such diverse topics as the differences between girls and women, Macy Gray, what happens when men reach middle age, stories about seeing Nick Cave back in the early-80's, and his experience of becoming a Kiss fan during their very last tour. The track It's Kiss, Part 1 does tend to drag when he discusses the origins of the members of the Kiss Army. Otherwise, the album is a very good listen as Henry comes across as both intelligent and entertaining. As indicated before, Henry's spoken word material is much like topical stand-up comedy and his delivery continues to get stronger with time. Certainly one of his better spoken word albums, Talk Is Cheap: Volume 2 is definitely worth checking out.

I first saw Henry Rollins at a spoken word show in Philadelphia in early 2001. Because this CD is the closest set to that show, due to it being on the same tour, it holds a special place in my sentimental little heart. Now, that aside, Rollins is definitely on top of his game on this one... the story about the Kiss Army was not only almost painfully true (I know a card-carrying member myself), but, one of the most hilarious stories he's told. The parts geared specifically for the Austrailian audience are a bit confusing if you have never experienced the country yourself, but, you get the picture well enough to laugh & ponder along with it. The stories about India were lengthier at the U.S. show I went to, but, the general idea is still there, and the MAN gives us alot to chew on regarding the "rock star" place Americans in general have in the big caste system of the world -- some touching & thought-provoking stuff there. The best thing about listening to Rollins do anything, whether it be music, spoken word, radio shows, etc, is that he really is passionate about what he has to say & truly loves his work. That's always refreshing to see, & makes a person want to come back for more. Keep on fighting the good fight, Uncle Hank!