What makes No Cure for Cancer by Denis Leary notable?

No Cure for Cancer reached significant commercial success, peaking at number 12 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album's lead track, Asshole, became a cultural touchstone, showcasing Leary's unique brand of sarcasm and critique of contemporary life, cementing his influence on later comedians and artists. Released in 1993, No Cure for Cancer marked Denis Leary's transition from stand-up comedy to a successful recording artist. This album followed his notable HBO special and established him as a prominent voice in the alternative comedy scene, coinciding with the rise of edgy humor in mainstream media.

How many songs are on No Cure for Cancer?

No Cure for Cancer has 10 tracks, running approximately 45 minutes.

No Cure for Cancer

Denis Leary

45 min · 10 tracks

A brash, irreverent blend of comedic storytelling and rock that challenges societal norms with biting humor.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Asshole — This track epitomizes Leary's confrontational style, combining sharp wit with social commentary that resonates through its unapologetic declaration of self-identity.
→
Drugs — In this lengthy exploration, Leary humorously navigates the absurdities of addiction and societal reactions, blending personal anecdotes with a satirical edge.
→
Rehab — The song critiques the rehabilitation industry with dark humor, showcasing Leary's ability to tackle serious topics while maintaining his signature comedic approach.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album combines humor and music effectively, but its appeal may diminish after repeated listens.

What we noticed

Leary's delivery is characterized by rapid-fire pacing, with punchlines often delivered in quick succession, creating a sense of urgency.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Asshole 4:26
2 Drugs 8:24
3 Rehab 4:03
4 More Drugs 7:06
5 Smoke 5:28
6 Meat 4:03
7 Death 5:01
8 The Downtrodden Song 1:22
9 Traditional Irish Folk Song 1:59
10 Voices in My Head 3:37

What to play next

Listen next

Lock 'n Load

1997

Full Denis Leary discography Artists like Denis Leary

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata