Over the course of his career, Eugene Mirman has released a vast, hours-deep catalog of stand-up material that has delved deep into the ocean of absurdity time and time again. It’s hard to fathom how he does it, but after a beat away from recording, he’s managed to scour the deep blue again for new inspiration.
Within the confines of his brand new album Here Comes The Whimsy, which dropped on February 5 via his own Pretty Good Friends Records, Mirman set up shop at Somerville’s Crystal Ballroom to once again utilize his masterful delight in being arguably the quirkiest joke writer in the game to his advantage by unpacking 55 minutes worth of signature wall-to-wall punchlines that come swinging from every direction.
Whether it’s based on getting roasted by his son or failed grade school tests, Mirman’s first recorded batch of material since 2015 carries such a catchy relatability still, even within the more off-the-wall premises. Not to mention, whenever he suggests that he has some ideas for bumper stickers or rental car company slogans, all bets are off. If you’re looking for the stand-up comedy version of your favorite home cooked meal, this familiar element that truly employs Mirman’s wit and — dare we say — whimsy will suffice every time.
If at any point during your initial listen, you find yourself thinking “what the hell is going on here?”, you may or may not be alone. But once you’ve gone through it two or three times, you’ll find new catacombs of Mirman’s brain to be explored each time, so give it a whirl.