Chris Rock’s gritty voice, high-pitched delivery, and undaunted tackling of controversial topics — namely race and gender — have resulted in some of the best-selling comedy records of the ’90s and 2000s, including three straight Grammy-winning albums. Released in 2007, Cheese and Crackers collects the best parts of Rock’s catalog into a 19-track package that comes across as surprisingly cohesive, particularly for a bit-based comedy album. The topics are grouped together (racial jokes in one corner; semi-sexist jabs in another), and the different audiences sound similar in their willingness to laugh and/or hoot their agreement with Rock’s rants. Only a dedicated disciple of the funnyman’s work will be able to note that “Women Lie” and “Lending Money” come from two different shows, since they’re sandwiched together on Cheese and Crackers in a way that keeps the album from sounding fractured. This greatest-hits comp doesn’t break any new ground and won’t be nabbing its creator any additional Grammys, but it’s nevertheless an accurate roundup of Rock’s amusing, R-rated highlights. – Andrew Leahey
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