As a long time fan of the TV show Kids in the Hall, I was anxiously awaiting Bruce McCulloch's comedy album, Shame Based Man. And it was definitely worth the wait. In fact, five years later, this album still hasn't gotten old. Unfortunately, Bruce has moved away from performing, with the exception of the Kids in the Hall reunion last year. Nowadays he's focusing more on directing. That's great, but I really wish I could see him perform again.

Bruce doesn't exactly sing. Rather, he talks over the music, kind of like Rex Harrison does in My Fair Lady. This is mainly because Bruce doesn't have a very good singing voice. He manages to make his own particular brand of music work, though. It's a quirky and often twisted mix of love songs, radio call-in bits, skits, a couple of songs he did on the show and just plain overall weirdness.

Fans will be happy to see that Bruce has put "These are the Daves I Know", "That's America" and my personal favorite on the album, "Doors" on the album. They're all songs that he performed on the show. I can still recite "Doors" by heart.

Hey man, listen up. I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. You know that new Depeche Mode album? It sucks. You know what? That new Cure album? It sucks. That new Happy Mondays album? I don't know if there is one, but if there is, it sucks. I can say this 'cause I know. 'Cause I'm a Doors fan.

A couple songs were actually based on Saturday Night Live short movies that Bruce did in 1994-95. This was the same time his fellow Kid, Mark McKinney's talent was so completely underused while he was a castmember. The two songs are "Eraserhead" and "Stalking". And both translate well into songs on the album.

Interspersed between some songs are little radio bits imitating a call-in show. They are a good way to break up the songs and are sometimes funnier than the songs they lead into. I love the sacreligious "Baby Jesus (radio)"; it's worth going to hell for listening to it...

I can't say it enough. I love the Baby Jesus and I think. . .he's the best thing and he's really great when he shares his love because he's got enough love for everybody. You know what I mean? I can't even see a manger without thinkin' about him, eh?

I just love the Jesus. I've only been into him for a couple of hours though, but I'm *really* into him.


You really don't have to be a Kids in the Hall fan to enjoy the album, though. I've played it for plenty of people who have absolutely no idea who they are and it's still a big hit with them. A person definitely needs to have a dark sense of humor in order to appreciate it, though. Bruce can often get extremely dark with his bits. Bits like "Our
Love" certainly look at the often painful humor of a relationship on the brink.

It's clear to me now, our love is like Santa Claus. The only ones who will believe in it are small children who don't understand how the world really works...

Our love...and I mean this in a nice way...is like taking Lassie to the desert, removing her teeth with a hunting knife; and shooting her in the head with a gun that you and she built together

Yep, Bruce can be one twisted guy. I can't help but think that his humor is his own cathartic way of dealing with a lot of his problems. It can be a bit extreme, but you can really feel the pain that he writes about. His song, "Daddy's on the Drink" isn't funny at all. When I listen to it, I can't help but feel extremely disturbed and saddened.

Is there a fairy? A drunk dad fairy. . .that tip-toes in, takes the TV changer out of his hand, puts a blanket around his shoulders, lifts his head off his chest, so his neck won't be sore tomorrow when the liquor leaves him for a time? Is there a drunk dad fairy?

Most of the album isn't quite this depressing, though, even the depressing parts are captivating because you can tell it's Bruce talking right from his heart. The album's definitely an odd mix of upbeat tunes and dark musings. You can follow Bruce's emotional rollercoaster that often makes you laugh out loud at his sarcastic wit and overall weirdness. And it's perfect for those who love black comedy. Overall, this offering from the "Shortest Kid" is a winner and I keep hoping that one day he'll decide to sit down and put together another album.

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Driving