PATTON OSWALT

'Werewolves & Lollipops'

If you are like me, your first exposure to Patton Oswalt did not do the genius of his comedy justice. He did a great job on the CBS sitcom 'King of Queens', but it wasn't until I saw him on his 2004 stand-up special 'No Reason to Complain' that I understood just how amazing this guy was. Having Blue Collar Comedy rammed down your throat for the past few years, Oswalt's brand of 'indie' comedy felt like a mouthful of Mentos after a shit sandwich eating contest. With topics ranging from the dumbing down of America, the homo-eroticism of '80s hair band videos and Black Angus Steakhouses (one of the funniest bits i've heard in stand-up EVER)...I was hooked.

Then, in 2005, Oswalt put together the tour, movie, TV documentary 'The Comedians of Comedy' with fellow 'indie' comedians Zach Galifianakis, Brian Posehn and Maria Bamford. On the tour, the comedians performed at smaller indie rock venues instead of comedy clubs. Both the movie and TV series alternate between footage of the comedians on stage and other aspects of their lives on the road. All the participants involved were fantastic, but, again, Oswalt just blew me away.

So, this past July, it was no surprise to see Sub-Pop release his latest comedy album. To note, I haven't bought or listened to a comedy record since Sam Kinison's 'Have You Seen Me Lately?' and listening to a few tracks off of Bill Cosby's 'Himself' while drunk at a party. To listen to Patton's impeccable delivery on the lambasting of everything from the KFC chicken bowl to modern science to the Bush administration to Star Wars geekery to Cirque Du Soleil...you realize just how awful a lot comedians today can be (*cough* Dane Cook *cough*).

Do yourself a favor and buy it at a brick and mortar joint, as the CD version comes w/ a DVD full of live stand-up. Also, check out the 'Comedians of Comedy' film/TV series avail on DVD. If you still aren't sold, check out the aforementioned Circue Do Soleil bit from this album...on headphones, if you are at work. Dirtee.