Take a Joke America (Warner Bros., 2000) by Carlos Mencia

The thing I like about Mencia's comedy is that he is an equal-opportunity offender.  He jokes about everything and that is very refreshing in the politically-correct climate that we so often find ourselves in today.  Although this album is not as strong as New Territory, it is a very solid collection of material that would ultimately resemble the type of content that Mencia would put on his Comedy Central show a few years later.

Here's Your Sign (Warner Bros., 1996) by Bill Engvall

Although this album may be memorable for its famous catchphrase, the rest of the material is a bit below what Engvall would eventually deliver the future.  The promise of a funny storyteller is there, but he hasn't quite hit his mark yet.  Because of this, the album seems a bit long.  It's a good release, but not a great one.  Fortunately, Engvall's overall albums improved over time.

15 Degrees Off Cool (Warner Bros., 2007) by Bill Engvall

This album is typical Engvall storytelling.  It lack's his catch phrase, but that's okay.  Like Foxworthy, he's an everyman comic and that is very enjoyable.  My favorite bit on here is when he talks about meeting George Strait.  Additionally, the fact that the album was recorded in front of a "home-court" audience in Texas makes the album fun too because the energy from the crowd translates well to the recording.

Totally Committed (Warner Bros., 1998) by Jeff Foxworthy

Foxworthy's material is pretty typical here.  There aren't really any surprises as far as content, but it is what Jeff does best.  My favorite routines here is about security in "Protect Our Stuff" and "You Can't Give Rednecks Money" where frivolous spending is discussed.  The album also ends on a high note with some of the best "You Might Be a Redneck" jokes of Foxworthy's career (If you thought the Unibomber was a wrestler; If you think fast food is hitting a deer at 65 miles an hour).

Girth of a Nation (Warner Bros., 2006) by Ralphie May

This is my favorite set by Ralphie May.  He walks a fine line with his racial humor, but he is able to pull it off successfully (in my opinion).  The two best routines are about the pope's death and catholicism and commentary provided by movie-goers during a preview for the film Open Water.  The album gets a bit long-winded near the end, but that's only a minor complaint.  Overall, this is a great early album from one of the funniest working comics out right now.  Much respect due.

Space Jam Soundtrack (Warner Bros., 1996) by various

"Who got bugs bunny money?/I've give you some time,to give more carrots every time I rhyme/Can a mouse write this?/Does he have long furry ears like this?/Can he make hits like this? (ha ha ha ha)/Nope, it's like Jordan at the plate,you're likely to miss/Warner Brothers ain't got bank cheap countin', rule from here to The Moron Mountain/Here's the game plan,listen up Toon squad/Number one objective, beat the Monstars/Shouldn't be hard, them guys ain't too smart/But to be sure snatched Jordan playin' Golf/Even though he tends to be a ball hog/Hey Michael, over here superstar/Who says the bunny can't play above the rim?/Wait till they get a load of me, that's buggin'"

-Bugs Bunny, "Buggin'"

A Wild and Crazy Guy (Warner Bros., 1978) by Steve Martin

Steve Martin is a smart guy and this album is a perfect representation of a smart guy doing goofy comedy.  From the "King Tut" song to him discussing what he studied in college.  "Cat Handcuffs" also a great inclusion of for SNL fans.  This is a classic comedy album, and I personally would pick this over The Jerk anyday.

Shhh...Don't Tell (Warner Bros., 2004) by Adam Sandler

I'm a big Adam Sandler fan, but I personally did not care for this album.  To me, it felt like he was trying to recapture the blue, off-color humor of his debut from over a decade earlier.  However, given where Sandler was in his career at that time of this album, he had seemingly outgrown solely shock value, cursing, and bathroom humor.  And that's pretty much all this album is .  Props to all the big names who makes appearances though and "Stan the Man" is a great tribute to Adam's father.  However, those high points can't save this release overall from being a bit of a let-down.

In Other Words (Warner Bros., 2006) by Kathleen Madigan

This is not a great album.  It's not that it isn't funny; it's just that it sounds like material and style is still being developed.  To be fair, the album does show potential for Madigan in the future.  Some of her routines, such as her jokes about Oprah are better put together and retold on her later release Gone Madigan.  In my opinion, that is a better release than this one.

My Weakness is Strong (Warner Bros., 2009) by Patton Oswalt

Following up 2007's Werewolves and Lollipops is no easy task, but Oswalt did it with My Weakness is Strong.  Although not as strong as its predecessor, the album does deliver Oswalt's very intelligent and clever commentary on his life and modern American society.  Oswalt's interest in religion is clear on "Sky Cake" and "Grocery Robots" is very, very funny.  The thing that doesn't make the album stand up quite as strong as Werewolves and Lollipops though is that the material doesn't transition quite as smoothly.  However, that is only a minor fault which is far outweighed by his comedic brilliance.  Oswalt is one of my favorite comics and this is one of the reasons why.

They're All Gonna Laugh At You! (Warner Bros., 1993) by Adam Sandler

Adam Sandler's debut is an excellent mix of songs and skits.  The interesting thing about the album though is the comedy is set up like his teenage demographic films.  However, the content is very blue.  That not a bad thing, but it was unexpected.  The Buffon skits are my favorite and "I'm So Wasted" is hilarious too.  "Lunchlady Land" is the best song, but it does lose something without seeing Chris Farley wearing a hairnet.

What's Your Name? (Warner Bros., 1997) by Adam Sandler

Adam Sandler's first full-length musical album is a mixed bag.  The cleverness and shock value of some of Sandler's previous songs are still there, but 14 tracks is a long time and the music can't hold on for that long.  Some songs are just weird ("Zitty Van Zittles," "Moyda").  However, there are some good tunes here.  "Pickin' Daisies" and "Listenin' to the Radio" aren't bad and "The Goat Song" is a seven-minute epic that is a great extension from "The Goat" skit on Sandler's previous album.  Overall, this album is mediocre at best- a fun listen, but not anything amazing.  Considering it was released in 1997, I'd rather watch The Wedding Singer instead.

You Might Be a Redneck If...(Warner Bros., 1993) by Jeff Foxworthy

The title track is obviously the routine that helped launch the career of one of the greatest comedians of all-time.  However, the album in its entirety really delivers too.  This is a classic album with no filler.  Foxworthy's everyman observations about marriage, fatherhood, and the single life are spot on.  His material is universal, clean, and hilarious.  It's been almost twenty years since its release and it still sounds like it could've been recorded yesterday.

One Hot Minute (Warner Bros., 1995) by Red Hot Chili Peppers

This is a mediocre album at best.  Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro replaced John Frusciante after he quit the band in 1992.  And Navarro is a great guitar player, but his sound is more rooted in metal than funk and rhythm like the Chili Peppers.  The stylistic differences are very apparent on this recording.  Lyrically, the album seems like a step down from Blood Sugar Sex Magik.  And the album's best cut, "My Friends," is ballad that was made solely for the "Under the Bridge" crowd.  Overall, this album is a forced commercial attempt by a group of very talented musicians.

To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With (Warner Bros., 1968) by Bill Cosby

Bill Cosby is such a skilled stand-up comedian that he performs it sitting down.  And this album has some of his best material.  The title cut exemplifies what makes Dr. Cosby one of the best comics ever- he is a master storyteller.  In 26:43, he describes what it was liking growing up and sharing a room with his brother.  It's these common experiences and emotions that Cosby is able to focus in on.  And as a result of his ability to do so, he gets a laugh from everyone.  Cosby is one of the greatest comedians of all-time and this album is one of the reasons why.

Stan & Judy's Kid (Warner Bros., 1999) by Adam Sandler

This is an underrated Adam Sandler album.  It is a pleasant return to skits, and his songs are an improvement from his previous effort as well.  The dirty humor is still there, but there is a bit more humanity in it.  "The Champion" is a really funny skit about a golf champion who falls apart while playing on the course.  "Inner Voice" is a skit about a guy nervously flirting with a girl while listeners hear his inner voice as it tries to play it cool for her.  And the most interesting of them all, "Whitey," is a fifteen minute plus conversation between two guys at a food court in the mall.  It shouldn't work, but it does.  It is very funny and  a bit touching at the same time.  My only issue with the album is that I wish it didn't end on a such a dark comedic note with "The Psychotic Legend of Uncle Donnie."  Other than that though, this is a great album and an excellent addition to Adam Sandler's impressive body of work.

Have Your Loved Ones Spayed or Neutered (Warner Bros., 2004) by Jeff Foxworthy

Jeff Foxworthy's last solo album was a great swan song.  It's his usual every man comedy routines.  The thing I've liked about Foxworthy's stuff too though is that his material grows with him, not necessarily in maturity, but in topics as far as aging, parenting, marriage, etc.  And this album highlights those topics particularly well.  "Oreo Generation" and "I'm Next in Line" are great bits about looking after children and taking care of parents.  "(On diapers)  And for as hard as it was with the kids, I can't imagine it being any easier with the seniors.  I don't want to be sitting watching football with my father-in-law… [sniffs]  Ed?  Don't you lie to me Ed!"  The only thing I would've done differently, if it me were me, is to come full-circle with "You might be a redneck" material.  I thought it was an interesting decision to close his last album with a new catch-phrase "I believe" that would set itself up for many more jokes, when, in theory, there wouldn't be anymore.

What the Hell Happened to Me? (Warner Bros., 1996) by Adam Sandler

I was first introduced to Adam Sandler's comedy right around the time of this album's release.  The fact that the album title had a curse word in the title intrigued me and knew I had to get it.  I didn't get it until a few years later, but when I did, I loved it and it seemed like everyone in Middle School knew the skits from the album by heart.  My favorite memory of the material is from 7th grade-our middle school class went to a science camp which was affiliated with a Christian group and even though our class' visit didn't focus on religion at all, the camp had its own staff and they clearly took a more conservative approach to things.  My friends adapted Sandler's "Respect" skit into something for a group project there and even though it was considerably edited, it was hilarious to us because we knew what they were "getting away" with.  Good times.  Adam Sandler's first four albums all have a lot of sentimental value to me, but his sophomore disc, What the Hell Happened to Me?, is my favorite.

Californication (Warner Bros., 1999) by Red Hot Chili Peppers

The sound of Californication is more melodic in vocal and instrumental delivery than a lot of their previous work.  As a whole, the album taps into the poetic sensibility that made the deeply personal "Under the Bridge" such huge hit years earlier.  "Scar Tissue" is one of the my favorite records from the band's 25 plus year catalogue.  This album also has strong sentimental value to me as well.  The Red Hot Chili Peppers were my first concert, the Californication tour, - back in the summer of 2000 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI.  They performed with Foo Fighters as their opening act and, even as a hip hop fan, it remains the best concert I have seen to date.  Because Kiedis spent some of his childhood in the Grand Rapids area, it is impossible to not be exposed to the Chili Peppers' music (not that that's a bad thing at all) growing up there.  And, as a result of that hometown connection, the crowd was really into the show.  The only downside to the whole experience was that I couldn't wear the T-shirt that I got from the show to Middle School in the fall because it had the word "Californication" on it.

Games Rednecks Play (Warner Bros., 1995) by Jeff Foxworthy

Foxworthy's sophomore album is my favorite release from him.  You Might Be a Redneck If… is a classic too, but he perfected his every-man persona that he introduced on his debut with Games.  His best material is not his straight-forward jokes, but his stories.  "Clampetts Go to Maui"  is hilarious and his projection of southern stereotypes combined with the upcoming Olympics the following year [Atlanta '96] is brilliant.  I've seen quite a few comedians live, and to date, Jeff is the best one that I have seen.  I saw him about three years ago and he performed material from this set and that is a wonderful testament to how well this stuff has held up over the years.