Complaints and Grievances

(Atlantic Records)

George Carlin's type of humor involves some of the most degrading, disgusting and offensive comments on people and life in general, and a lot of people love him for it, myself included.

His newest CD, Complaints and Grievances, is a recording of one of many HBO specials he's produced, and it's hilarious. He wastes no time getting into the gross stuff; he opens the show with a queaf joke. An aficionado of the f-word, he uses it as abundantly as possible throughout the course of his tirade.

His tirade, of course, is what he does best - bitching and moaning about people in the world who he hates for one reason or another and thinks should be killed.

These include people who read self-help books ("It's not really self-help if you're reading it in a book written by someone else. It's just help," he rationalizes), people who carry their babies in slings, people who wear visors ("It's only half of a hat! You got gypped!"), gun enthusiasts and guys named Todd.

For each of these rants, he begins with a standard joke about the poor bastards who should die. It's the same formula every time: "Here's another bunch/group of (insert some degrading personal reference) who should (insert some horrendous form of disfigurement or torture resulting in a painful death)." Example: "Here's another unfortunate pack of mutants who ought to be penciled in for a sudden visit from the angel of death." You would think the joke would get old, but it's too damn funny.

If you enjoy vulgar social commentary and the f-word, then this is the album for you.