King Baby

Album Review

Taking his glorification of American laziness to a whole new level, Jim Gaffigan's King Baby tops his 2006 release, Beyond the Pale, a rare platinum-selling comedy album that is referenced here right off ("I thought he'd be paler. Least as pale as that CD where he looks like a p*******e"). The track "Inside Voice" is named after the comedian's signature falsetto alter-ego voice, a device that's used sparingly and purposefully here, completely taking the "it's a crutch" argument off the table. With less of it, there are fewer cheap laughs, allowing Gaffigan to build momentum as he heralds bowling ("The activity you do after you've done everything else"), hammocks ("nets for catching lazy people"), and Waffle House ("I love Waffle House, and not just because watching someone fry an egg while they're smoking reminds me of my dad"). The bit on bologna and it's spelling vs. pronunciation — decided by the man responsible for "colonel" — is especially funny, but it's the epic riffing on bacon that becomes the set's centerpiece and somewhat of a sequel to Beyond the Pale's big comedy hit "Hot Pockets." There are a few Jesus jokes and such that might not fly with some, but this is otherwise a family-friendly effort with no profanity. It's also Gaffigan in top form, remaining laugh-out-loud funny the whole way through.