What makes Something to Take the Edge Off by Doug Stanhope notable?

This album is significant for its bold approach to taboo subjects, showcasing Stanhope's fearless comedic voice that would influence a generation of comedians. It received positive reviews from critics for its unapologetic humor and has maintained a cult following, reinforcing Stanhope's status as an important figure in alternative comedy. By the time 'Something to Take the Edge Off' was released in 2000, Doug Stanhope had already established himself as a notable figure in the comedy scene but was still on the rise. This album followed his early work, including 'Shut Up You Fucking Baby!' and marked a period where he began gaining wider recognition among audiences for his edgy and provocative style.

How many songs are on Something to Take the Edge Off?

Something to Take the Edge Off has 21 tracks, running approximately 56 minutes.

Something to Take the Edge Off

Doug Stanhope · 2000

56 min · 21 tracks

A raw and unfiltered stand-up album blending dark humor with sharp social commentary over a loose, conversational delivery.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Scared Straight — This track cleverly satirizes the absurdity of fear-based societal control, embodying Stanhope's ability to tackle serious issues through humor.
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Suicide — With a mix of dark humor and candidness, this track explores life's struggles and the concept of ending it all, showcasing Stanhope's unique comedic perspective.
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Offensive to Midgets — In typical Stanhope fashion, this track pushes boundaries while critiquing societal norms around political correctness, illustrating his commitment to challenging sensitive topics head-on.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

55 /100

Foothills

Higher than 45% of albums we've rated

The album showcases bold humor and social commentary but lacks tight cohesion in its structure.

What we noticed

The album features a loose structure, with Stanhope often engaging in extended riffs and digressions rather than strictly adhering to set punchlines.
Several tracks blend into one another without clear breaks, creating a conversational flow that mimics live performance.
Stanhope frequently addresses taboo subjects directly, using shock value as a tool for social commentary throughout the runtime.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

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 Vice 6:33
2 Real Stories 2:56
3 Top Ten Laws 1:07
4 Quitter 2:54
5 Live Life 1:04
6 Suicide 3:28
7 Dead Sport (Behind the Comedy) 5:20
8 $16 an Hour 1:05
9 Scared Straight 1:27
10 Don't Pull Your Dick Out 1:46
11 A Matter of Size 1:21
12 Big Rubber Fist 2:25
13 Pace Yourself 1:47
14 Destroying Your Body 0:51
15 Shake the Baby 5:03
16 Freak Shows 1:29
17 Offensive to Midgets 3:21
18 End the Hate 2:27
19 The Tit Fuck Joke in Its Entirety 0:45
20 Excess in Moderation 1:47
21 Bobbie Barnett 7:36

What to play next

Listen next

Die Laughing

2002

Go back to

Sicko

1999

Full Doug Stanhope discography Artists like Doug Stanhope

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata