Reviewing Amy Schumer’s “Cutting”
May 6, 2011 Fran Miller-Pezo Albums, Amy Schumer, Reviews
Her style may not be to everyone’s taste. Pondering race, religion and a lot of sex – comedienne Amy Schumer’s debut, Cutting will be gold to those who love brazen, sharp and unapologetic comedy.
Released as a digital-only album via Comedy Central Records, Schumer reaches for taboo topics, and takes them to unexpected places. The former finalist from NBC’s Last Comic Standing, displays a polished act in her 45 minute long show captured for this recording. Her off the cuff interactions with the audience provide some of the real highlights. Whether it be discussing Eli’s willingness to admit his ethnic background or how she feels about Don Diego from Denver, the quick wit of Schumer is where she really seems to shine in this performance.
Great comic timing is difficult to master, however Schumer makes it sound effortless. She tells, in drawn out detail, stories which make their punchlines worth the wait. The timing is so perfect, that it is almost impossible to feel any change in pace between set pieces and the improv of her set.
Amy Schumer exudes confidence in herself. It makes a welcome point of difference from the often overplayed self-depreciation of stand up comedy. It is a fine line however, between the welcome point of difference and irritating smugness. Luckily, even though treading this line carefully, Schumer manages to stay on the right side of things.
With titles such as “Masturbation”, “Mexicans”, “Jews”, and “Cock Block” the topics covered by Schumer over this recorded performance shouldn’t come as a surprise. She deals with all these issues, as well as a wonderful piece on talking religion from a Jewish perspective of an old lady trying to take her to church, with equal abandon for politically correct points of view.
The performance recording is only ever so slightly ruined by a single audience member, who was obviously having such a good time, his ridiculous laughter drowns out the rest of the crowd. However, after a while it becomes a bit of an unintentional joke in itself.
As is the case with most comedy acts, to every person, the hits and misses from Cutting will be different for all. However if you can’t laugh about her ex-roommate Denise you have a heart of stone.
Hopefully Comedy Central will consider releasing Cutting on a physical CD release sometime soon. That way you can give it to family for all those special gift giving occasions. Although, perhaps not Grandma, unless she’s really liberal and likes a good joke about French men’s penises.
