10 - The Michigan Daily - Monday, May10, 2004 ARTS Cross frustrates on new rele: 7% By AlexWolsky Daily Arts Writer ALBUM REVIEW Few comedians these days aspire to the pointed, acerbic style of those who aimed to change the world with their comedy: Lenny David Cross Bruce, Mort Sahl, It's Not Funny Richard Pryor and Sub Pop most recently, Bill Hicks. In a social climate in which it's commonplace to question everything, most comedians today choose to shrink away from controversial topics like poli- tics or religion. No one seems to be doing the kind of comedy that makes their audience squirm, or at the very least, think. That's why comedian David Cross is absolutely necessary. Recorded in January 2004 during a four-night stand in Washington, D.C., It's Not Funny is the official follow-up to Cross's debut, Shut Up, You Fucking Baby! This time around, the comedian has almost entirely abandoned the socie- tal observations he perfected on the HBO sketch comedy "Mr. Show" for purely political tactics. Cross begins by examining the trans- formation people undergo when they have children ("It's like they have amne- sia," he notes) and an impromptu bit about goth-metal band Evanescence before jumping into the politics. He attacks President Bush's character and It's just so funny! He never hits back! his foreign policies and domestic poli- cies. In the end, however, Cross's come- dy elicits laughter, but fails to connect: His impulse to humor and educate through his anger alienates listeners. It's Not Funny demonstrates that Cross is. an engaging, intelligent comedic force that goes for the jugular -at a time when other performers don't. But by the second half of the album, Cross's vitriolic banter hits the point of no return. While his rambling is often offensive, he is brave to tip-toe near the boundaries of comedy - an absurd notion in a country that freely circulates jokes about Helen Keller and dead babies. The mixture of social criticism of SbPop and political commentary, however, is severely lacking on It's Not Funny, and the overall performance suffers. He's a political force - in doses. By the end of the album, Cross's whining and over-use of references overshadow the humor. Die-hard fans - those who are already memorizing punch-lines from It's Not Funny to go along with their favorite "Mr. Show" moments -imme- diately position Cross next to Bruce or Hicks. Cross's rambling, while potent, don't evolve as other classic comedians' work did; as a result, his offerings look shabby. He uses his tried-and-true rou- tines as a crutch and, unfortunately on It's Not Funny, it shows. 1 xToF'4 THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN MULTI-ETHNIC STUDENT AFFAIRS 2202 Michigan Union Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1349 734-763-9044 FAX 734-615-6842 Division of Student Affairs S° Dear Students: Are you interested in being involved in developing a multicultural center that reflects and serves student needs? If so, we invite you to nominate yourself or other students to serve on the Trotter Multicultural Center Facility and Program Vision Committee. This university committee will include a team of student representatives, facilities experts and staff to recommend possible options for Trotter House. We are seeking a wide range of students across campus who express an interest in the future of Trotter. Seven students will have a unique opportunity to learn about Trotter's history and work with others to develop a vision for Trotter. This team will work together over the summer months and into the fall. Your input and contributions to this process are central to the development of Trotter's future. If you would like to serve on this team, please send the following information to Patricia Aqui Pacania (pmaqui@umich.edu) who will select the members. Name: Year: Major: Email: What is your interest in serving on this committee? If you would like to nominate someone to be on the committee, please send the following information to Pratricia Aqui Pacania (pmaqui@umich.edu) who will select the members. Nominee's Name: Nominee's Year: Nominee's Major: Nominee's Email: Why should the person you are nominating serve on this committee? Thank you in advance for your assistance and I will keep you updated about further developments in this process. Sincerely, Patricia Aqui Pacania Director, Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs FS 0 PI