Marc Maron
Too Real
How’s the comedy bubble? Has it burst yet? Sure, for comedy fans, the comedy bubble was a godsent, bringing in a new crop of comedians who pushed the envelope and freshened things up a bit. That much was clear. But another thing that’s clear is that people are as unfunny as ever. That being said, it’s worth mentioning that most standup comedy is unfunny. Maybe I’m a curmudgeon, but the in-your-face high octane comedy with shiny powerpoint slides and #woke clapter just doesn’t do it for me. I’m more into stuff that’s personal, that makes me think, that I can relate to.
It’s no secret that I’m a fan of Marc Maron. I’ve been a fan of his ever since I saw him on the Louie show, which made me check out his album This Has to Be Funny and led me to his podcast, his book, his show on FX, and his specials. All of which I’ve enjoyed to various degrees. What’s shocking (maybe not) about Maron is how he’s doing his best material right now — almost 40 years after he started. It’s because Maron isn’t screwing around: he’s a lifer. He’s not using his standup as a stepping stone to something else: it’s who he is. And when someone is that serious about their craft, it shows.
His latest special Too Real has arguably his best and most accessible stuff. Relating to a man in his 50s shouldn’t be this easy, but whether it’s about health, relationships, shopping, technology, pet ownership, family, or mortality, it seems like we’re much more alike than we’d care to admit. That, and Maron’s delivery is direct, raw, comfortable and seemingly effortless. Everything you’d want in a good standup set.
Did you know this album is out on vinyl? No? Neither did we. And that’s because this is a Netflix release. Who knew that standup would have a resurgence on vinyl and on Netflix of all places. But that’s why you come to us, for this important info. Yes, Too Real is out on vinyl and comes in a basic but effective package. A slightly wider slipcase houses two very thick (180g?) records. Nothing flashy, but also straight to the point, just like this set. Whatever you think about Netflix, they know how to give the people what they want, and I most definitely want Maron on vinyl. Drag City’s loss is Netflix’s gain, I guess.
It’s a shame more standup isn’t like Too Real. I’d say this is Maron’s best album, but I’ve been burnt by that statement before. This is his best album… until the next one. Do it up!
