TOP 18 COMEDY ALBUMS of 2018
1. Nick Vatterott KROCK90Q.BUZZ
(Produced by Jesse Case)
Not many things made me laugh more than this remarkable album did last year, and I don’t just mean on this list. Funnier than most movies, shows, or inappropriate jokes Uncle Frank told you when you met at the stuffing station during mom’s Thanksgiving potluck. This project, which takes place entirely inside of a (barely) fictional wacky radio station, would make a great starting point for a film, or series, too, but my big takeaway is why there aren’t more people doing high concept comedy albums these days. Hopefully this will inspire a new wave of them. Unbelievably good. Utterly refreshing. (insert slide whistle sound effect)
2. Clare O’Kane Let It Be
When it comes to traditional stand up albums of 2018, nothing beat the classically original comedic musings of Clare O’Kane. She’s so charming, and easy to listen to, I almost felt like I was hanging out with her in a green room. Her way with words is mind blowing, and nothing is better than a comic who knows how to laugh at themselves, and isn’t afraid to joke freely about subjects that others would mishandle, or consider taboo altogether. She spins sarcasm deftly, without ever sounding snobby, showcased most flawlessly when she’s using phrases you can tell she doesn’t ever use unironically. She’ll probably never be bigger than the Beatles, but I’d love to hear Paul McCartney talk about abortions while still making me feel all warm and cozy inside. I’m officially addicted to O’Kane.
When it comes to traditional stand up albums of 2018, nothing beat the classically original comedic musings of Clare O’Kane. She’s so charming, and easy to listen to, I almost felt like I was hanging out with her in a green room. Her way with words is mind blowing, and nothing is better than a comic who knows how to laugh at themselves, and isn’t afraid to joke freely about subjects that others would mishandle, or consider taboo altogether. She spins sarcasm deftly, without ever sounding snobby, showcased most flawlessly when she’s using phrases you can tell she doesn’t ever use unironically. She’ll probably never be bigger than the Beatles, but I’d love to hear Paul McCartney talk about abortions while still making me feel all warm and cozy inside. I’m officially addicted to O’Kane.
3. Jared Logan The Twilight Door
Jared Logan has been one of the best stand up comedians in the world for years now. This album doesn’t even come close to disappointing. Never suffering for material, I feel like he could release a new hour every year, if he wanted to. He’s a phenomenal joke writer, and has an effortless, yet memorable vibe that should have made him a superstar years ago.
4. Dwight Simmons Sip and Pass
Dwight Simmons has put out two albums in a row of perfect stand up comedy that for reasons beyond me have flown inexplicably under the radar. He’s as unique as he is relatable. As sharp as he is easy going. As silly as he is commanding of an audience. Another of my top bets to be one of the next big things in comedy, I really wish the rest of the world would stop sleeping on guys like Jared and Dwight.
5. 12 Years of Voicemails from Todd Glass To Blake Wexler
You read the title correctly. This is an album full of voicemails. It’s so fun to listen to, and at times, it does make you feel like you’re eavesdropping, but a lovely side dish to the heaps of silliness, are the surprising moments of thoughtful poignancy, like when Todd is convincing Blake to quit comedy, because he clearly believes in him, and doesn’t want him to get stuck doing something he wasn’t born to do. As an up and coming stand up myself, that personally meant a lot to me.
6. Greg Behrendt Why Are You In Here?
7. Scott Thompson Not A Fan
8. Dwayne Duke Shame Flashbacks
9. Greg Proops The Resistance
10. Brandt Tobler Gamblin’ & Ramblin’: Live in Las Vegas
11. Keith Lowell Jensen Bad Comedy For Bad People
12. Johnny Taylor Bummin’ With the Devil
13. Nato Green The Whiteness Album
14. Joe Starr A British Murder Robot Tries Stand Up Comedy
15. Kevin Tit Life… The Best Joke In Town
16. Dan Cummins Maybe I’m the Problem
17. Emma Arnold Yes, Please
18. Mike Lawrence Mega Manchild
(not actual album cover)
TOP 35+ COMEDY TRACKS of 2018
1. Nick Vatterott – Station Identification
KROCK90Q.BUZZ Flashback
2. Brandt Tobler – Stardust (The Time I Tried To Kill My Dad)
3. Patrick Passafiume – Typhoon the Headliner
4. Jared Logan – Hotel
The Twilight Door
5. Greg Proops – I’m Just Not Feeling It
6. Dwayne Duke – Karen
6. Dwayne Duke – Karen
7. Greg Behrendt – A Friend You Hate
8. Todd Glass – Jay Leno’s Cars (2016)
9. Nick Vatterott – D.J. the D.J.
10. Scott Thompson – Seeing Sandra
11. Dwight Simmons – Sip and Pass
Black Super Heroes
12. Clare O’Kane – Yikes
I’m Sorry Grandma
13. Greg Behrendt – You Get What You Get
14. Keith Lowell Jensen – Charlie Chaplin
15. Daniel Humbarger – Spider
16. Mike Lawrence – Married
17. Jared Logan – Zachary Taylor
West Hollywood
18. Dwayne Duke – Pangea University
Treasures of Burlesque on a Guy’s Weekend
19. Brandt Tobler – Four Queens (Porn Star Night and Morning)
20. Greg Proops – Things White People Like
Men Can’t Hear
Orange 45
Lock Her Up
21. Nato Green – A Simpler, More Innocent Time, Four Months Ago
22. Todd Glass – Todd Meets Oprah (2016)
Quit College Blake (2008)
23. Nick Vatterott – Sports Break…
24. Dan Cummins – Chuck E. Terror
I’ll Show You One Photo
Permission To Swear
25. Todd Glass – Todd Talks To a Neighborhood Cat (2014)
Todd Loves His Wife (2012)
Todd Hits His Head
Blake Crazy Dances in a Barn
26. Johnny Taylor – Sexting
27. Clare O’Kane – Aborsh
Sexual Renaissance
Catcalled
Nude Modelin’
Being…. a Woman
28. Greg Behrendt – Sobriety is Not For Everyone
My Sister Would Love This
The Spooky One
29. Dwight Simmons – The N Train
The Talk
Follow Your Dreams
30. Brandt Tobler – Imperial Palace (the Roulette Story)
31. Jared Logan – Dominos
Marriage
The Today Show
Casting Director
32. Keith Lowell Jensen – Badoinkle
Leviticus Tattoo
33. Patrick Keane – Negro Baseball Museum
Catholic Elementary Football
34. Andrew Schulz – Egypt Pyramids
35. Dwayne Duke – Chasing Waterfalls
TOP 29+ COVER SONGS of 2018
1. Brad Mehldau Trio – Almost Like Being In Love
2. Juliana Hatfield – A Little More Love
3. Chris Cornell – One (Live at Beacon Theatre 2015)
4. Mike Love – Lifetime Party
5. Juliana Hatfield – Magic
6. Brak – Institutionalized
7. Joey Alexander – Blackbird
The Very Thought of You (w/Joshua Redman)
8. Stephen Inglis – Wharf Rat
Standing On the Moon
Dark Star
Lazy River Road
9. Willie Nelson – Summer Wind
10. Meshell Ndegeocello – Tender Love
Don’t Disturb This Groove
Waterfalls
11. Mark Yamanaka – His Eye Is on the Sparrow
12. Laura Jane Grace – The Best Ever Death Metal Band In Denton
13. UB40 – A Place In the Sun
In the Rain
14. Titus Andronicus – (I’m) Like a Rolling Stone
15. Dead Milkmen – Lydia the Tattooed Lady
16. Josh Tatofi – About You
17. “Weird Al” Yankovic – Beat On the Brat
18. Manchester Orchestra – Blizzard of ’77
19. Anthony David – Use Me
20. Stephen Inglis – Brokedown Palace
Scarlet Begonias
21. UB40 – Ebony Eyes
22. Elvis Costello – I’ll Still Love You
23. Against Me! – People Who Died
24. Rogue Wave – Blonde On Blonde
25. Juliana Hatfield – Xanadu
26. Meshell Ndegeocello – Sensitivity
27. Ruston Kelly & Kacey Musgraves – To June This Morning
28. Paula Fuga – Song For Someone
29. Josh Groban – Bridge Over Troubled Water