Eugene Mirman
En Garde Society!
(Sub Pop)
This New York-based comic will remind you of some guy you know who sits around playing with words and unravelling his thoughts. He gets on your nerves, but every five minutes he comes up with something. Mirman has a better laugh rate, as he dissects the peculiar phrases that culture, etiquette and politics pelt us with. Americans’ abuse of the word “freedom” and a Christian right teen magazine prove fruitful. Who else would write a letter to “Boobs,” saying “Thanks!”? Mirman sprinkles obscenity into his routine with the precision of a chef, so “genitals” gives a jolt and “awesome” sounds ridiculous, which it may in fact be at this point.
—Doug Taylor