Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: Style

Who wouldn't enjoy a CD that begins with the line, "Someone sh- on all the coats."

Dane Cook recently released his newest comedy CD entitled, "Rough Around the Edges," his live show from Madison Square Garden. "Rough Around the Edges" couldn't be a more fitting title to Cook's style.

Separating himself from the repetitive catch phrases - think, "git 'er done" - Cook once again delivers with a solid showing of comedic talent. Although this album is a bit shorter than his others, it is of equal caliber.

Cook draws his humor from many different aspects. He pulls from his youth and experiences of a semi-drunken father. He pontificates on relationships, sex and the personal quirks that everyone can relate to. He even delivers classic one-liners: "Here's when you know you're drunk: when you get into a taxi cab and you think the fare is the time. 'Oh my God, it's 25 past 24."

These styles aside, the classic Cook style seems to be that of "what if" scenarios. One classic example is his exaggeration of the starving children that are often seen on television, who, for 15 cents, you can help. He jests that instead of the kindly old man that usually advocates for the children, we need to be kicked around by an ass in a leather jacket to get us to throw down some pocket change.

Perhaps the most entertaining aspect of Cook is his timing. Phrases that catch the listener off-guard as they surprise themselves with laughter, such as when Cook tosses out the fact that basically anyone with a mustache probably has herpes.

One facet of Cook's album that became slightly irritating was the audience. There were the - practically - constant cheers of "yararghlaaghaarraaah" from audience members throughout the performance. Perhaps this is an indication of the drunken cross-section of Cook fans. Luckily, Cook doesn't encourage this behavior and seems to ignore it, even taking a moment to call the women of the audience "sluts."

Lacking from a good listening of Cook's CD is the physical portion of his act. Much of the absurdity of his performance is his dancing, pantomiming and diving on stage. His jokes are usually enhanced by some body language, some facial expressions or some Irish jig. Luckily, when buying "Rough Around the Edges," a DVD accompanies it, allowing full enjoyment of Cook's physical humor.

As funny as Cook's humor may be, his jokes are very similar to those of his past albums. It doesn't seem as though there will be as many jokes that stick around to enter pop culture. At least none as much as "someone sh- on, or around, the coats."

Grade: B

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