AMG Review of Something to Take the Edge Off

Jason Birchmeier
All Music Guide

Doug Stanhope's second album for -ismist Recordings, Something to Take the Edge Off, is yet another live recording from one of the standup comedian's raucous club performances (~Laff Stop in Houston, TX, May 21, 2000). The fact that acoustic guitarist Henry Phillips strums subtle music in the background does set it apart from the traditional comedy album, but, ultimately, it adds little to Sanhope's humor. Similar to his previous Sicko album, his humor is intensely vulgar and perverse, featuring plenty of exploitative sex jokes catering to a male point of view. Unfortunately, Sanhope's jokes aren't quite as developed or memorable here as on Sicko, making that album a better starting point for those unacquainted with his striking sense of humor.