Greg Giraldo
“Good Day to Cross a River”
In stores now
Thirty-five-year-old Greg Giraldo walked into an Abercrombie and Fitch store. “They looked at me like I was walking through a playground with my cock in my hand,” he says on his soon-to-be-released album, “Good Day to Cross a River.” The New York City comedian has hosted “Friday Nite with Greg Giraldo” and “Stand-Up Nation with Greg Giraldo,” both on Comedy Central. Giraldo’s CD, recorded in April, is a fun listen because he’s willing to reveal personal and private details that should otherwise be kept to himself – what he does while sitting on the toilet, for example. Giraldo, who is married with three kids, says on “Good Day to Cross a River” that he feels like he missed out on Internet dating opportunities. Giraldo compares it to getting polio before the polio vaccination came out. Giraldo, a Columbia and Harvard Law School graduate, also talks about moral dilemmas, religion, aging, sexuality and immigration to his Colorado audience. Giraldo masterfully connects jokes throughout the album and is willing to touch on serious topics. His delivery skills make his rants enjoyable and amusing.
Christian Finnegan
“Two For Flinching”
In stores now
Finnegan cares about his stand-up material. He told The Boston Globe last month: “I actually care about the things I’m saying, for the most part. I mean, some of it’s just goofy. But the stuff that I want to talk about on-stage is the stuff that affects me more, that I have a strong opinion about.” If so, Finnegan’s new album is evidence that the comedian cares about pop culture. The most serious he gets is while talking about democracy. He tells the Washington, D.C. audience that people shouldn’t vote if they bought an Ashlee Simpson CD or watched a “Fast and Furious” movie. Finnegan tells his audience little about his personal life but does reveal that he’s discovered relationships are like yard sales. “They look really fun from a couple hundred feet away, but eventually you realize it’s a bunch of crap you don’t need,” he says. Sometimes Finnegan’s jokes come off tired and used, especially if listeners have watched Finnegan on “Comedy Central Presents” or VH1’s “Best Week Ever.” The album, recorded in July, contains a few summer jokes that are out-of-season with a late October release (“I love this country, and I used to love fireworks. Every kid loves fireworks. But then I turned 14, I touched a booby, and then I moved on.”). Finnegan’s album has the potential to make listeners laugh-out-loud, but jokes about pop culture get tiresome. Finnegan proves to be a talented comedian, but his on-stage performance doesn’t match the excitement and enthusiasm of Dane Cook.
Brooke Hogan
“Undiscovered”
In stores now
Let’s face it – pop lyrics are simplistic. Brooke Hogan’s debut album “Undiscovered,” in stores now, doesn’t break the mold too much, but the 14 power pop songs that fill the album are surprisingly good.
The SMC/SoBe Entertainment label released the album under super-star music producer Scott Storch, who’s behind mega hits from artists like Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera. Storch’s track record alone can clearly show the type of music Brooke Hogan has in store.
Now there are a few skeptics out there – well, more than a few – but Hogan presents herself as a fairly talented new voice. Many critics simply claim she got a record deal because her dad is, well… Hulk Hogan. This may be somewhat true, but Brooke sets herself apart from the “Hogan” name with her soft-spoken vocals and catchy lyrics. She even co-wrote several songs on the album.
To some, “Undiscovered” might as well be the next Hilary Duff album, and in some respects it is. The album combines a lot of the same beats and musical quality as albums from the Black Eyed Peas, Jessica Simpson and Britney Spears. There is nothing wrong with Britney Spears, JT or Fergie. The iconic, ubiquitous songs by those artists have become part of our culture. Brooke Hogan proves she is worthy enough to be put on that list.
It’s true in her first single, “About Us,” she asks why the media are “all up in her grill?” That line, and others like, “I see your lips moving but I don’t hear nothing” tarnish her credibility, but the rest of the album plugs away nicely. All of the songs are creative and may become instantaneous hits. The problem, which Hogan isn’t exempt from, is on many debut albums a lot of the songs carry the same beat and tempo, so instead of 14 unique songs, the listener gets 14 similar sounding songs.
If you’re looking for the next big indie hit, you probably won’t find it on “Undiscovered,” but if you’re a 12-year-old girl, it’s just what you’re looking for. Or if you’re still a fan of pop radio who can’t get enough PCD or Black Eyed Peas then you’ll probably find Brooke Hogan your next obsession.