AMG Review of Die Laughing

Johnny Loftus
All Music Guide

Stanhope is a vice-ridden drunk swinging wildly at pop culture's attempts to curtail him. But damn if he doesn't tell some hilariously cynical jokes on his way down. Taking the legacy of Bill Hicks to its 21st century extreme, Stanhope eviscerates .08 driving laws and M.A.D.D., rails against the anti-smoking movement, takes sports fans to task for their hatred of high-paid athletes, and encourages kids to drop out of high school, since the same decision led him to a (somewhat) satisfying career in comedy. He rehashes some of his usual material -- old people suck, for example -- but fans of the comic's work on the #Man Show will find him funnier and more cutting without the network muzzle, and anyone who already knew about his style will have already been in line for this one. It's the old line, but it's true again -- either you think Doug Stanhope's funny, or you think he should be eaten alive by fire ants.