I can't explain what makes him so much funnier than other people, but I think it's because he used to work at "hats in the belfry," there's just something about that particular intersection that generates humorosity.
Paul F. Tompkins is a GENIUS! If I advocated virgin-sacrifices, I would round-up every Dungeon Master, cloistered Nun, and Trekkie in the area for ritualisticly prepared & spiked Kool-aid to pay respect to the depth & width of his comedic magnitude. Okay. Perhaps, I'm getting carried away, but 1 of the great things about PFT is that instead of the standard "here-comes-the-joke, here-comes-the-joke; JOKE" delivery of MOST comics, he peppers every setup with clever/witty/humorous asides. The joke is not just the joke, but the journey/setup is also. However, I will agree that if you don't like the "Peanut Brittle" track, "Letters to Magazines" or "Elegant Balloons," than Paul F. Tompkins is probably not the comedian for you. ...and may God have mercy on your soul.
I'll also recommend that you first check out "Peanut Brittle". In that track, Tompkins takes a joke that, to me at least, seems to have a maximum natural span of maybe 90 seconds, and flogs it relentlessly, forcibly squeezing out every last drop of humour till he's stretched it out to well over 5 minutes. The result has plenty of merit, but can be tedious, if not downright agonising. If you find it genuinely entertaining for the whole 5+ minutes, then you can probably hit "download all" happily. If you do find it tedious, then be warned that although "Peanut Brittle" is probably the track with slowest and most laboured pace, many others on the album have a similar style. Aside from this, it's a witty, personable record that relies on cleverness and delivery rather than the tools used by so many weaker comedians, such as taboo or pent-up anger, for example. The humour often falls on the negative side of the spectrum though, with a lot of "don't you hate people who..." type of humour.
Tompkins weaves through this set with such a honed emphasis on tone and vocal delivery, its what makes this album stand out for me. I listen to my comedy albums over and over like music albums, I listen to the craft and performance, not just for the laughs, Tompkins gets better with each listen.
Paul F. Tompkins is possibly the best jazz pianist alive today. I say "possibly", because I've never actually heard him play piano. I'm not sure he even does. But as the saying goes, in jazz it's not the notes you play - it's the notes you DON'T play. Paul F. Tompkins plays less notes on this album than I have ever heard on a jazz piano record, which is not conclusive proof of, but is compatible with, the idea that he is the best jazz pianist alive today. Oh god I am too drunk to be posting on the internet.
One of the most solid comedy albums I've ever heard. Tompkins is one of the best comics around today and this cd is a sort of 'greatest hits' collection. Can't recommend it highly enough. If you're short on downloads, start with 'Peanut Brittle'. You'll come back for the rest. I promise.
Paul F. Tompkins is woefully underrated and this album highlights some of his best work. Check out Peanut Brittle for starters and then listen to the rest.
