The Carnegie Hall Performance (Comedy Central, 2006) by Lewis Black

This is not only my favorite Lewis Black album, but one of the few double disc albums that I can play from beginning to end.  A lot of the material ended up in his book Nothing's Sacred (which is a great read), but obviously it is interpreted differently when the material is actually heard by its creator.  In my opinion, this album is one of the funniest LPs from the 00s.  It's a smart and well-sequenced piece of commentary on the times.

Shakespeare (Comedy Central, 2010) by Anthony Jeselnik

This album contains Jeselnik's brand of really dark and edgy humor.  But with that being said, it is really funny.  The jokes are recited in a fairly monotone delivery and his comedic timing is flawless.  Highlights of the album are when he compares Buddah to Jesus and when he talks about his standards and practices discussion over an "offensive" joke with a network television employee.  I really enjoy this album, and will probably purchase his recently released sophomore album in the near future.

In God We Rust (Comedy Central, 2012) by Lewis Black

As usual, Lewis Black is angry and this is material is typical of his ranting and raving.  Although some of it isn't as "political" as he usually is, it is still funny.  Comedy about Farmville and Jersey Shore is not the type of stuff that Black usually discusses.  However, I think that helps because it surprises people who are accustom to Black's social commentary.  The only flaw with Lewis Black is that his comedy has been so consistent over the past decade that it forces stuff to be topical in order for him to have new material.  But I think that's a good problem to have since, on the other hand, it shows he has always found something to talk about and that people have always found him funny.

Midlife Vices (Comedy Central, 2009) by Greg Giraldo

Giraldo is a comic who was taken away too soon.  And Midlife Vices is proof of that aforementioned statement.  He humorously tackles social issues while making very logical points all along the way.  Topics include gay marriage, immigration, childhood obesity, and stem cell research.  My favorite joke on the album is when he talks about marriage/relationships.  He says, "You can't discriminate someone for being who they are.  I don't choose to be attracted to women.  I just happen to be attracted to women and it sucks because every 10 years or so, I have to give half my shit away and start from scratch."  R.I.P. Mr. Giraldo- one of the greatest stand-up comics to ever step up to a mic.

Norman Rockwell is Bleeding (Comedy Central, 2008) by Christopher Titus

This is a very personal album, and Titus' storytelling abilities are absolutely fantastic.  It's a stand-up album delivered by way of anecdotes more so than just straight-forward jokes.  I very much admire Titus' honesty in his delivery.  In my opinion, he is one of the most open comics ever.  Clearly, he has turned his struggles into something with great artistic value and that is something to be greatly admired.  Norman Rockwell is Bleeding is a masterpiece and it  comes across as a comedic catharsis for its creator.

Good Day to Cross a River (Comedy Central, 2006) by Greg Giraldo

This is one of my favorite albums ever.  Giraldo certainly battled with his own demons, but he has no reservations about making observations in regard to American society and culture.  Giraldo's passing was certainly tragic, and his skillful comedic abilities will be missed.  He was a Harvard law student, which should come as no surprise, considering how smart his material is.

My Secret Public Journal Live (Comedy Central, 2007) by Mike Birbiglia

This is a really funny album.  Birbiglia is just as much a story teller as he is a comedian.  Wether discussing a celebrity golf tournament where he was surprised to be the celebrity or his parents accidentally downloading pornography, Mike doesn't miss a beat.  His delivery is very unique and he presents himself as an oddball in a very good way.  To some degree, this album is a bit self-indulgent.  However, its okay because that doesn't happen too often and it doesn't overshadow his talents as a writer, performer, and comedian.

The Top Part (Comedy Central, 2009) by John Mulaney

He is a funny guy and this is a great album.  He has a knack for storytelling, and his humor is very observational based on his specific experiences and interests.  From being critical of peoples' fascination with the film Scarface to his passion for the show Law and Order.  It's all funny and fresh because it's unique.  My favorite line on the whole album is, "I miss Jerry Orbach more than certain dead relatives of mine."  Mulaney's a good comic and writer; I'll definitely start following his work.

King Baby (Comedy Central, 2009) by Jim Gaffigan

This is a great album.  It has everything that has made Gaffigan one of the most noteworthy comics in the last decade.  It has his "voice," his humorous everyman observations, as well as more classic humor about food.  "Bacon", "Bowling", and "Camping" are all excellent bits.  And the album, as whole, has no filler.  It does run a bit long, but that's okay.  It entertaining all the way through.  Another thing I like about this album, as well as all of Gaffigan's other releases, is that it doesn't have skits that divide the stand-up.

Two Drink Mike (Comedy Central, 2006) by Mike Birbiglia

This is my favorite Mike Birbiglia album.  "Hip Hop Annimosity" is very funny.  I also like his overall delivery and humor is stream of consciousness.  It allows him to cover a wide variety of subjects in a quick period of time.  Not everyone could pull that off, but Mike does.  His delivery is also bit more narrative than just straight joke telling.  I really enjoy that too.  Although his comedy style is somewhat reminiscent of Steven Wright, Birbiglia clearly has a voice of his own and that is very entertaining as well.

Sleepwalk With Me Live (Comedy Central, 2011) by Mike Birbiglia

The set up of this album/one man show is a perfect set up for Birbiglia's style of humor.  He is very, very funny, but he is more of a storyteller than a joke teller.  The story about his sleepwalking and falling out of a hotel window in "The Missile" is the album's closer and highlight.  Although not quite as strong as some of Birbiglia's earlier material, the album is a successful experiment in presenting stand up in a traditional theater setting.

Finest Hour (Comedy Central, 2011) by Patton Oswalt

Patton Oswalt is one of my favorite comedians.  And this album continues his streak of quality releases.  The biggest difference with this release is that it's the first in which he is a father.  Not surprisingly, parenthood has worked its way into his material.  However, his approach to it is unlike any other voice in comedy ( [on how tiring parenting is] "I was wearing sweat pants and a shirt.  And they were the same color").  The best track on the whole album though is "The Circus is in Town"- a bit where Oswalt explains how the circus is an outdated form of family entertainment.

Mr. Universe (Comedy Central, 2012) by Jim Gaffigan

Jim Gaffigan's eighth album is very funny, but not as good as his previous two releases.  But don't get me wrong, I think his routines about Disney, hotel pools and working out are great.  Gaffigan's humor about food is still there too, "McDonald's" is especially good, but "Subway" seems to lose some steam and "Domino's Pizza" focuses on a particular dish the same way that Patton Oswalt did with KFC years earlier.  And where his previous sets ended on a high note, this one seemed to gradually conclude.  This is still a good album, and Jim Gaffigan is still a great comedian.  However, this will probably not be remembered as his magnum opus.

Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening (Comedy Central, 2010) by Aziz Ansari

Aziz is a very funny comedian and this is a great debut album.  The best routines are the ones about his cousin Harris on Facebook and his stories about Kanye West and R. Kelly.  Other highlights include "Walking With Dinosaurs" and "Are White People Psyched All the Time?"  Intimate Moments was released at a great time- less than a half a year after Aziz received a lot of publicity for his appearance in Judd Apatow's Funny People alongside Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen.  Between this album and Dangerously Delicious, he is two for two.  Now I am eagerly awaiting to hear material from his Buried Alive tour.

Stark Raving Black (Comedy Central, 2010) by Lewis Black

I've been a fan of Lewis Black for a long time and this is one my favorite sets from him to date.  I really enjoy how he is an equal-opportunity offender in regards to American politics.  My favorite bit though is the one about how 60-year olds are able to communicate with each other, but younger people are completely baffled by it because it seems that they don't remember anything.  And I'm pretty sure I'm going to borrowing Mr. Black's expression the next time I hear I good song, the one he used to describe a song that he saw Vince Gill perform: "I felt exactly the way I feel when I'm taking a bath that is just the perfect temperature."

Dangerously Delicious (Comedy Central, 2012) by Aziz Ansari

Although I felt his debut was a bit stronger, Aziz Ansari's latest offering, Dangerously Delicious, does not disappoint.  He sounds more confident on this album which is great, but so much so at times that he comes across cocky.  However, those moments are few and far between.  For me, the best bit on the album is where he brings the audience up to speed on his cousin Harris and talks about his college essay.  Ansari also tells a funny anecdote about 50 Cent and a grapefruit soda.  His comedic timing and delivery are excellent, and that makes his subject transitions very easy.  Aziz continues to prove himself a gifted performer on television, the big screen, and on record.  Overall, Dangerously Delicious serves as another great addition to the body of work of one of the most promising comics to emerge on the scene in recent years.

Neverlution (Comedy Central, 2011) by Christopher Titus

This album is more political than Titus' earlier material, but it is just as funny.  The great thing about it too is that he does not take a side, he simply dissects American culture as a whole and points out numerous inconsistencies.  The album clocks in at about an hour and forty-five minutes, but it never feels long-winded.  Titus again demonstrates how he is a very gifted storyteller, and that  makes the time just fly by.  I am a big fan of his work and will continue to support him as long as he continues to perform.

Seriously, Who Farted? (Comedy Central, 2009) by Nick Swardson

Swardson is a very funny comic.  I had seen him various movies, and he stole the scene in every film that he was in.  Therefore, I thought I would give this album a chance and it does not disappoint.  Swardson's humor is very surface material (drinking, weed, sex-related humor), but his delivery is outstanding.  I also love how he references E. Honda from "Street Fighter" when he talks about the woman he received a happy-ending from when getting a massage.  Swardson clearly made the most of the opportunities that Adam Sandler and "Reno 9-1-1" provided for him and now it is great to see him emerge as a star in his own right.

New Territory (Comedy Central, 2011) by Carlos Mencia

I have been a fan of Carlos Mencia ever since the first episode of Mind of Mencia.  Some people say he is a racist, but I don't share that viewpoint.  He has an insightful perspective on America because of his different experiences.  And in this country's politically-correct climate, it is very refreshing to hear someone who is not afraid to speak their mind.  My favorite part of the album is not even a joke, but when Carlos tells a story about what he said to a detractor: "When I tell a racial joke about anything and people laugh, it's an affirmation that they know who I'm talking about.  And they know who I'm talking about because they know what I'm talking about because we live amongst each other to the point where our idiosyncratic behavior is known to all of us because the tapestry of America isn't Black, isn't White, isn't Hispanic.  It is every possible living type of human being.  You do realize that we're the only country that can do jokes about anybody else and we understand what that means."