Customer Reviews

Think Tank [Explicit]

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Dude, if you want to buy a Rollins CD, go to his website and buy it direct. Why pay $16 for a $10 CD, just to pay for corporate overhead. Henry would not approve!
Oh yeah, screw Ticketmaster too!

To those unfamiliar with Henry Rollins' spoken word records, this CD is a very nice introduction to his work. To those who are, this Rollins at his absolute finest. From second one, Hank brings you through his adventures at the airport (continued), television, Bill Clinton, etc. The first CD is a very rapid fire comedic routine, as the second CD is more involved with telling long storylines and being just as funny if not funnier. Henry has mastered his storytelling ability to the point where its effortless, and this is readily evident in these 2 hours. Everyone can relate to at least one of his stories, as he speaks from a perspective of everyday life. This CD set will become a constant companion to you on a lonely night for years to come. If you enjoy this, I highly recommend Human Butt, Live at McCabe's, and the Boxed Life for even more great rides from the life of Henry Rollins.

This is a very entertaining, funny cd and definitely worth the money. It seems kind of wierd, however, hearing this from Henry Rollins. Those who have read a lot of his books or are even just a bit aquainted with Black Flag or the Rollins Band, you'll know what he means. But the stories about Russia and Brazil are really funny, and Marius was very well-done. The Gay Thing is also a really funny track, but they all really do rock. Classic Rollins.

"Think Tank" is a great recording, and Henry Rollins is an amazing speaker. "The Gay Thing" is hysterical, while "Marius" is both funny and sad at the same time. Unfortunately, the album is marred by a couple places where Hank seems to think things are very funny, but they aren't. "Vegas" on the first CD is just too short and pointless to be worth including, and the last track on the second CD, "No One is Fax Exempt" is very funny, up to the point where he actually starts reading his faxes. Which are funny at first, but repetitive, and ultimately boring. Also, "Brazil" fades out WAY too suddenly, right in the middle of his story, which is really irritating. Don't get me wrong; "Think Tank" is still definitely worth buying. It just stumbles a little.

Excellent!! Recommended even if you have never heard of Henry Rollins. Real life experiences that are full of life and have a sense of humor. Good work, Hank!! Some offensive language for those who are sensitive, but true to his character and worth listening to. It's what we all think, but fear to say.

People love this CD. I've played it to loads of people and everyone digs it. After hearing "Airport Hell" you'll never be able to walk through an airport without smiling to yourself again. Same goes if you're (unlucky enough to ever be) watching an episode of Friends or Baywatch. The whole first disc is a riot and the sound quality on both of these is a huge improvement over past offerings - professionally recorded and sounds great.

Disc two has a longer, storytelling style to it...The second disc is still funny, but also has that trademark Rollins seriousness/thought-provoking quality that characterise his performances. Tracks like "Marius" about a kid with cancer possess that bittersweet kind of comedy that nobody does quite like Henry, whilst the tale of Russia is just out-and-out comical.

This is a great all-rounder and probably the best starting point for a first-timer. I dont think there is a single 'best' Rollins CD as they all differ in content and context, but this is the most universally-appealing volume in the catalogue. You'll not be disappointed with this one.

"Think Tank" showcases Henry Rollins at his Spoken Word best, IMHO. This record is so far my favorite of Hank's "Talking" records. The first disc is a collection of mostly short pieces from a birthday show in Chicago, while the second disc contains longer tour stories told in Australia.

Think Tank is great because it takes all the elements of Rollins's storytelling that have shown up individually in his previous records and BAM! Suddenly they all come together, and the result is funny, vicious, cynical, compelling and thought-provoking all at the same time. "El Nino" is a hilarious look at the much-ballyhooed weather pattern that trashed California in 1996-97, while "Airport Hell" rehashes the negative aspects of living life on the road.

My favorite tracks on this Album are the final 5, however. "Nothin Can Go Wrong" is enormously funny, chronicling some of Rollins' more embarassing moments onstage. "Russia" recounts one of the Rollins Band's memorable trips, and "Marius" is the touching (yet not saccharin by any means) tale of a lad with leukemia who Henry got to meet in Australia.

Over and over, these tracks amaze and amuse. I have listened to this record more times than I can count, and I still crack up every time. This is a great record, and I suggest you pick it up. If you're not a Rollins fan yet, you will be after getting this record.

Also check out the companion (sort of) video, "You Saw Me Up There". Not quite as tight as the CD, but it contains one EPIC story about Hank, a single engine plane, and a guy in a cover band.

In a day when Baz Luhrmann is considered a poetic genius to the soccer moms of the nation, it is to everyone's advantage to seek out the spoken truths of Henry Rollins, especially as featured on his latest release, Think Tank. His anecdotes and travel tales alternate between the hilarious and the profound, from self-depreciating stories of forgetting song lyrics,to a touching encounter with a terminally ill fan, Henry's experiences, masterfully told, will crack you up and make you think. This is one of Henry's most diverse spoken word albums, and worthy of everybody's interest!!! A Beat poet for the 90s!!

After listening to different spoken word artists I would have to say Henry is at the top of the list. Henry is a very intense, funny guy. He has the ability to take what he sees, process it in his brain and then regurgitate it to the audience in a very straightforward humorous way. There is no b.s. with this guy he says it like it is. He's very on the level, never alienates with any kind of "I'm a star" attitude. In fact he went out of the way to play in Chicago as a thank you to his fans. Henry lets his fans know they are appreciated and are the main reason he gets to make a living doing what he does.

Rollins talks alot about society and about how he views peoples interactions with him and each other. Of notable instances, "The Gay Thing" and "Television" will keep you laughing all the way through. The gay thing makes you laugh as well as teach you about being more open minded. After hearing television you might have urges to throw away your tv. Henry's humor isn't over the top, or full of slapstick punchlines. He is very good at observation comedy(add a dash of sarcasm) kind of like a Steven Wright.

Overall this album is a hit; there are some serious moments "Marius" for example is about a fan who is terminally ill. Even an occasional miss such as "El Nino" where Rollins humor just misses the mark. Still even with its little flaws this is a very solid piece of work. Remember this is done by a man who isn't a professional comedian or a trained orator, instead you have a regular Joe off the street doing something people only dream of.

Henry Rollins is an angry man with a ton of rage built up towards people he identifies as "idiots". And it is friggin hilarious. A Henry Rollins rant is like a chainsaw tearing through a tree. He is intolerant when it comes to people's stupidity (listen to "Airport Hell" and "El Nino"). Yet he's also intolerant of people's misdirected intolerance ("The Gay Thing").

All in all this is side splitting material from a guy who is know for being a serious, no B.S. punk rock icon. I never would have guessed that a man who could be so angry could present it in such a manner. Think Denis Leary and Bill Hicks rolled into one. But at the same time completely unique and different.