Comedian Dan Soder's Not Special is his first album, following TV credits including Guy Code, Inside Amy Schumer, and Billions; he also co-hosts The Bonfire on SiriusXM.
Not Special's track titles are amusing enough to make you smirk before you hit play. Although you can't guess where he's going, it's hard to keep a straight face when you read the word "Underdick." Luckily, the corresponding material doesn't disappoint — there's something special about an architecturally sound dick joke.
Soder blends material about his childhood and relationships with observational comedy so that audiences feel like they've gotten to know him. "Emo Satan" and "The Devil Goes Home Early" combine to form the sweetest, funny story about what a little weirdo Soder was as a kid. Although many of the broader topics are common in the world of standup, Soder puts his own twist on them. For example, "Smoking Is Cool" provides a unique and funny take on the major benefit of quitting smoking (hint: it's not health-related).
The tracks aren't perfectly divided so you might come in at the punch line if you try to listen to just one joke. The jokes are also organized so that the funniest moments happen in the middle rather than at the end of the album. Although he doesn't end strong in this particular recording, done at the Trocadero Theatre in Philadelphia, Soder leaves listeners with the most weirdly sexual take on catharsis they'll ever hear, which is an achievement in itself.
Not Special isn't comedy gold that will stand the test of time, but the man with the "Dumb Deep Voice" has a smart way of putting his feelings into words. Soder is also really likable, even when he's talking about shitting himself, and that's pretty special.
(Comedy Central)Not Special's track titles are amusing enough to make you smirk before you hit play. Although you can't guess where he's going, it's hard to keep a straight face when you read the word "Underdick." Luckily, the corresponding material doesn't disappoint — there's something special about an architecturally sound dick joke.
Soder blends material about his childhood and relationships with observational comedy so that audiences feel like they've gotten to know him. "Emo Satan" and "The Devil Goes Home Early" combine to form the sweetest, funny story about what a little weirdo Soder was as a kid. Although many of the broader topics are common in the world of standup, Soder puts his own twist on them. For example, "Smoking Is Cool" provides a unique and funny take on the major benefit of quitting smoking (hint: it's not health-related).
The tracks aren't perfectly divided so you might come in at the punch line if you try to listen to just one joke. The jokes are also organized so that the funniest moments happen in the middle rather than at the end of the album. Although he doesn't end strong in this particular recording, done at the Trocadero Theatre in Philadelphia, Soder leaves listeners with the most weirdly sexual take on catharsis they'll ever hear, which is an achievement in itself.
Not Special isn't comedy gold that will stand the test of time, but the man with the "Dumb Deep Voice" has a smart way of putting his feelings into words. Soder is also really likable, even when he's talking about shitting himself, and that's pretty special.
