The first thing I noticed about Kyle Kinane’s stand-up comedy album I Liked His Old Stuff Better is the track listing.
Rather than giving each track a name that correlates to the bit, the track listing mirrors the 1988 release of NWA’s “Straight Outta Compton” album. I wonder how many of Kinane’s fans will recognize that fact?
The second thing I noticed about this album is, unfortunately, that the title is actually very suitable. I do, in fact, like his old stuff better. In late 2012 I reviewed Kinane’s second album, “Whiskey Icarus.” While Icarus was a fine album, to me it paled in comparison to Kinane’s first album, “Death of the Party.” The “Death of the Party” album is and probably always will be one of my favorites. It is still in a regular rotation in my car, and I’ve probably listed to it more than 25 times. It is an amazing album. I suppose that is an issue whenever any artist releases a debut album that is an instant classic — that it will be almost impossible to beat.
So, how does “I Liked His Old Stuff Better” stack up? Much, much better than Icarus, but still not as good as Death of the Party.
Kyle Kinane continues to have a very unique style, one that is not only instantly recognizable, but one that likely cannot be mimicked. His delivery and timing are perfect, and add quite a bit to material that would fall flat in the hands of another comic.
On this album, Kinane’s strongest bit is one about being featured in Hustler magazine in connection with a comedy-related interview, and the interactions with his parents regarding that magazine. There are a number of callbacks to this throughout the album, each one very funny.
I also liked the bit about Kyle Kinane finding the secret to happiness — namely, lowering your definition of what qualifies as a miracle. Here, Kinane makes some hilarious observations about a laundry experience.
Not to be repetitive, but I am going to conclude this review in much the same fashion as I concluded my review of Whiskey Icarus. If you are a fan of Kyle Kinane, go ahead and pick up “I Liked His Old Stuff Better.” You will definitely enjoy it. But, if you are not already a fan, I recommend starting with his first, as “Death of the Party” will always be a classic.
I Liked His Old Stuff Better
Kyle Kinane
Comedy MP3 album
Comedy Central 2015
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Kinane most certainly is an artist, and even though this second comedy album does not quite live up to the first, this reviewer is eagerly awaiting the third.
