Nick Turner’s new album, Yelling, catches the attention of listeners. It is due out this September 30th on Comedy Central Records, and Turner stands out through the use of self deprecation, satire, and hypotheticals. He also creates on stage a storyteller who not only is his own biggest supporter, but also will be the first to take a shot at himself.
Turner plays with the status of stage persona, and it is fun. He starts off his set stating, “I deserve this,” while the audience cheering. Already, he is building himself up. He is declaring he is talented and that this applause has been well earned. As he transitions into his first bit, he builds himself up again after identifying bad wine, saying he, “Felt like Frasier.” He reveals at the punch that he was actually drinking balsamic vinegar. It is a rich twist. He built himself up, creates a relatable funniness, and caps with something outrageously dumb.
Whether he drank vinegar or not, Turner presents humorous scenarios full of hypotheticals and exaggerations. They get a good response. When explaining how he left a good impression while staying with his girlfriend’s parents over a three day weekend, he claimed to have worn a full tux the entire time. No way there is any truth to this statement, but the sentiment is very funny. He does this again when he explains his solution to cat calling. When he witnesses a woman receiving unwanted attention from a strange man, he steps in and cat calls at the perp. He declares, “I’ll tell ya what underwear I’m wearing. I’m wearing boxers and briefs, because neither one of them is good enough to do the job alone.” Not only is it ironically funny- cat calling a cat caller, but he adds an element of what his underwear is like. The specificity is a colorful, amusing touch.
The album is satirical. The strength of Turner’s style is making a statement through these scenarios. To add to the “Meet the Parents” blurb, he says he bought oversized Bible as another tactic to impress the girlfriend’s parents. He follows with, “Great lessons in here, like ‘how to treat a woman.’” Even in his shorter bits, he nails it, such as riffing on bird owners. He starts the bit with, “I think the best pet you can own is a bird.” He continues by pointing out the cruelties in the same sarcastic tone. In under two minutes, he roasts pet owner while sounding ridiculously for it.
Yelling is an album filled with playful banter. When Turner tries to change the tone to an angry or upsetting one, he breaks and laughs. It’s a well constructed album. He deserves the applause.
You can pick up Nick Turner: Yelling right here.
