This is the first in what I hope to be a long, ongoing series of albums I think everyone should hear before they leave this mortal coil.
Bruce McCulloch
Shame-Based Man
Atlantic Records, 1995
This may just be the best comedy album ever made. Maybe that's because it's more than a comedy album. It packs so much original punch and it has countless ideas that you wish you'd come up with first.
Most of these tracks are songs, but don't think Adam Sandler. This is more along the lines of George Carlin on acid. Or Tenacious D lite. This record should've propelled Bruce into super-stardom, but unfortunately, it still hasn't even been heard by that many people. Even after all these years.
The former Kids in the Hall cast member constantly delights with unrivaled intelligent silliness, poignancy and black, and more importantly, brilliant humor.
On the simple, yet lovely "Grade 8", McCulloch gives you a quick rundown of his drug years.
On one of the most genius ideas I've ever come across, on the amazing "Stalking", BM wonders what it would be like if a woman ran into the guy who was stalking her in a normal, real-life situation. They have a friendly, if awkward conversation, culminating with the hilarious explanation as to why he has chosen her as "the one".
On "Doors", Bruce channels his inner Jim Morrison and explains exactly how one becomes a Doors fan: They don't. They're born Doors fans. In another brilliant turn, he gives you specific, detailed instructions on how to find out if you are, in fact, a Doors fan. Before I laid ears on this epic and essential song, it had never hit me that the Doors had no bass player.
"Lift Me Up" recaps a homoerotic encounter that the artist had with a husky gentleman he met at the airport lounge. A surprisingly romantic, if all over the place rundown that leads up to some shaky, yet exquisite harmonizing from the two melancholic lovers.
"Answering Machine" is a simple, goofy and pleasing ode to his... answering machine, of course. I could painfully relate to all the lyrics. Everyone has screened their phone calls before, but I'm hardpressed to think of anyone who dodges people with more savvy than Mr. McCulloch and I.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
The greatest line off the whole album is from Doors: "Greatest Hits albums are for housewives and little girls."
btw, The Doors did use bass players in the studio.