Paul F. Tompkins' second album "Freak Wharf" was released last month.
His debut, "Impersonal" saw Tompkins exploring many concepts, briefly and hilariously.
But on "Freak Wharf" we see the comic growing and taking his time on ideas, mining the premise for every bit of comedic potential.
I'd guess this was a result of his growth in the last year into becoming the ultimate podcast guest, appearing on "Comedy Death Ray Radio," Doug Benson's "I Love Movies" and "Comedy and Everything Else."
The result is an album that sounds more conversational and less rehearsed, but not sloppy.
The first 15 minutes of the album is Tompkins riffing with the audience, being funny off the top of his head about such topics as how self-conscious about his level of education a job application can make him, how relaxed might be too relaxed for Google and the unashamed admittance of T.
The prepared material is equally funny, such as the film trope of the monster appearing in the mirror behind the protagonist after a refreshing splash of water to the face (and how this could never happen to him).
The inconsiderate dog owner and the insufferableness of new fathers who feel they must drop existential knowledge on their unenlightened friends are also covered.
Tompkins' dressing down of pie in the track "Cake V. Pie" leaves you feeling sorry for pie, but he's right.
Cake's better. And "Freak Wharf" is excellent.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
