Looking up amazon reviews on Denis Leary's CD's, I was a little surprised to learn that a good 1/3rd of the reviews were poor for the sole reason of reviewers reacting harshly to how Leary stole another comedians material.  That comedian was Mr. Hicks.  I had never heard of this man before, having my interest piqued I decided to investigate this man whom many think is the best comedian ever.
I picked up Arizona Bay and while the first few tracks were pretty decent, when it got to the fifth track and played through to the 8th or so, I learned why this man was so popular.  Hicks is another man out there who to attract fans, will use tyraids about our govt, and or religion to get laughs, or at least people in the audience to yell "I hear ya!"  I'm sorry to say this but why this sort of thing is funny I don't know and I don't need the message broadcast to me that our naiton does need some help.  Many comedians do this sort of act (it's become a staple of George Carlin's routine as well and I don't like it when he does it either.)  To me, it's a turn away.
Thats not to say that all the related material isn't bad, some of it is good.  The bit on the Kennedy assassination-"The book depository is now a museum and it's really acurate because, Ozwalds not in it."  Clever I'll admit.  Another bit from Dinosaurs in the Bible about God planting dinosaur fossils to test peoples faith in him. "We'll see who believes in me now!....I'm a parankster God!" was good too.  The CD does have another demerit is that guitar track and music that Bill put one this CD.  It creates mood at times and others it's just annoying.  I'm not the only listener who feels this way.  A later track on the CD called Pussywhipped Satan I will admit is one of THE funniest bits I've ever heard on a comedy CD.
I guess as a closer to this review I will say that yes, Bill Hicks is a funny comedian, but is he God's gift to the comedic microphone like everybody thinks he is?  No.  Well, for now no, I'll have to pick up another one of his albums (either the early ones which Denis Leary stole from, or from what I hear his best, which is Rant in E Minor) and go from there.
Looking up amazon reviews on Denis Leary's CD's, I was a little surprised to learn that a good 1/3rd of the reviews were poor for the sole reason of reviewers reacting harshly to how Leary stole another comedians material. That comedian was Mr. Hicks. I had never heard of this man before, having my interest piqued I decided to investigate this man whom many think is the best comedian ever. I picked up Arizona Bay and while the first few tracks were pretty decent, when it got to the fifth track and played through to the 8th or so, I learned why this man was so popular. Hicks is another man out there who to attract fans, will use tyraids about our govt, and or religion to get laughs, or at least people in the audience to yell "I hear ya! "  I'm sorry to say this but why this sort of thing is funny I don't know and I don't need the message broadcast to me that our naiton does need some help. Many comedians do this sort of act (it's become a staple of George Carlin's routine as well and I don't like it when he does it either. )  To me, it's a turn away. Thats not to say that all the related material isn't bad, some of it is good. The bit on the Kennedy assassination-"The book depository is now a museum and it's really acurate because, Ozwalds not in it. "  Clever I'll admit. Another bit from Dinosaurs in the Bible about God planting dinosaur fossils to test peoples faith in him. "We'll see who believes in me now!... . I'm a parankster God! " was good too. The CD does have another demerit is that guitar track and music that Bill put one this CD. It creates mood at times and others it's just annoying. I'm not the only listener who feels this way. A later track on the CD called Pussywhipped Satan I will admit is one of THE funniest bits I've ever heard on a comedy CD. I guess as a closer to this review I will say that yes, Bill Hicks is a funny comedian, but is he God's gift to the comedic microphone like everybody thinks he is? No. Well, for now no, I'll have to pick up another one of his albums (either the early ones which Denis Leary stole from, or from what I hear his best, which is Rant in E Minor) and go from there.