Search - Henry Rollins :: Rollins in the Wry

Dont believe everything you hear

Rage Reset | Sydney, Australia | 04/12/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is fine. It's not wall-to-wall laughs like most of Think Tank. It doesnt get deep like sections of Big Ugly Mouth. It's not the absolute pick of the bunch (depending on what you're looking for) but it's not a waste of money either. RITW is a stand-alone performance and the biggest thing wrong with it is the lacklustre crowd, who seem to respond quite well to the mention of their own town's name and not much else. I believe Henry gives his best performances when the crowd is responsive (both with Rollins Band and spoken word) and the crowd at this gig sound like they are half asleep and more interested in eating their meals than getting into the show.I won't dissect the CD and sing the praises of each individual track. If youre a fan, this is a worthy addition. If youre a first-time listener, its worth a go but probably isnt his best work in terms of outright comedic content or the make-you-think observations that characterise his previous offerings. That said, its not a dog either - I listen to my copy from time to time and certainly dont regret buying it.One last note for the Henry-is-past-it gang; I saw Henry in Melbourne a year ago and it was about the best thing I've heard him do. Stories like The KISS Army were just brilliant and outshone even some of the best stuff on Think Tank. His take on the way people behave, coupled with the clever references and links to things mentioned earlier in the show had the crowd falling about laughing. Stuff from that show will hopefully be released soon and prove that Henry is only getting better at Spoken Word as time goes by.Oh, and if any of the Powers That Be at Pioneer are reading - give us a spoken word DVD that isn't Zone 1 exclusive."

Not Hank's best, but still very funny

fredfenster | Spokane, WA United States | 03/05/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Most of the tracks on this album are very funny, especially "Death To Poets," a highly-justified rant about self-indulgent poetry readings, and "Clintonese," a funny comment on how Bubba used word games to weasel out of confessing. I especially like this track because it gives Bubba his due without brown-nosing him like most Democrats love to, with observations like "They should teach 'Clinton' in college." Also not to be missed: his encore, a short but absolutely hysterical rant on male-female relations. The album's only weak link: the "Maturity" rant, which goes on WAY too long and isn't particularly funny. Overall, it's still a great album, but it can't beat "Think Tank," Hank's funniest and smartest spoken-word album."

When punk does comedy

Stephan D. Mahler | Erie, PA United States | 04/01/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've heard some of Henry Rollins spoken word routines on MTV and stations like this. After hearing this,....I didn't realize that Henry is actually funny. Not only has he done Black Flag, Rollins Band, but his spoken word albums is filled with the same angst in his lyrics but taking everything in the world and making light of it. He is intellectual as a comic with that hardcore edge that we have come to know and love. I DEFINITELY recomend this CD. Pop it in, listen to it, reflect on it, and be prepared to laugh. I just don't see why he does more of this sort of thing."