CD: "Luther Burbank Performing Arts Center Blues" by Lewis Black; Comedy Central

RELEASE: JAN. 25

STYLE: COMEDY

My take: Lewis Black broke into the mainstream mindset with his "Back in Black" segments of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show," along with three stand-up specials for "Comedy Central Presents."

Black's fiery delivery, skillful use of profanity and jaded views of society and authority turned him into one of the country's most recognizable comedians. In previous specials, he has targeted political figures, celebrities, corporations, his Jewish upbringing and the general stupidity and idiosyncrasies of society and picked them off one by one with every ire- and cuss-filled punch line.

This album captures Black at his best in a venue in which he truly shines: a small crowd and an open mike. His trademark style makes him sound perpetually on the brink of cardiac arrest but is fine-tuned and comes off as more therapeutic than angry.

Recorded in summer 2004, a year with more opportunities for topical humor than most comics could ask for, Black chose several targets and let loose: Kid Rock's appearance in the Super Bowl halftime show ("If your program is going to be senseless, might as well take it to the max"); Arnold Schwarzenegger becoming California's governor ("It seems to me that when a state decides it would rather live in a movie than reality ... you lose your statehood"); 2004's presidential candidates ("If this is evolution in terms of leadership, in 12 years we're gonna be voting for plants"); the presence of "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance ("It doesn't matter if it's in or not, because it's said by elementary students and they don't know what they're saying"); the funeral of Ronald Reagan ("That was very sad, but five days? ... You don't bury someone for five days. I thought maybe they were burying with spoons"); Michael Jackson ("He's become a punch line. If you forget the end of a joke, just say 'Michael Jackson' "); and gay marriage ("On the list of things we need to worry about, gay marriage is on page six under 'Are we eating too much garlic as a people?' ").

There were plenty of other great quotes and topics discussed, such as Janet Jackson's infamous wardrobe malfunction that made America "lose its mind" and a very descriptive flashback of his worst acid trip. It's all great, but a true highlight is the last track, "Iraq, An Idiot's Delight," a dissection of the Bush administration's handling of the situation in the Middle East and especially the Sept. 11 Commission. Staunch Republicans, be warned, that material is not for you. However, if you are a Democrat, steer clear of anything Black recorded during the last few years of Clinton's presidency.

Black is easily one of the best working comedians in the country and definitely one of the most fearless, intelligent and least-compromised. On this album, Black is captured in top form on his way to superstardom and it's a hilarious journey, rest assured.

Jeremy Castillo is a student at Windward Community College and editor of the college's newspaper, Ka 'Ohana.