Loudon Wainwright III

In performance, mugging and clowning, Loudon Wainwright has the ability to transmute
pathos and desperation into a Chaplinesque comedy of self-ridicule that is immediately
funny and ultimately compassionate. Thankfully, the contradictory elements also come
through on record. Most of Attempted Mustache was recorded in Nashville with producer
Bob Johnston, and though it may be Loudon's best album to date, it is hurt by th... More >

First he was a failed poet. Now he's a successful comedian. Maybe someday soon he'll put it all together and become a successful poet, but this will do--the fact that "Dilated to Meet You" and "Lullaby" and for that matter "The Swimming Song" are funny doesn't mean they don't add to the great store of human wisdom. And as I recall, Chuck Berry made do with something similar for quite a while. (Grade: A-)