A disappointing album most often comes when a work seems uninspired and substantially less creative than previous works. They seem like the artist isn’t invested and is just putting out more music because, well, that’s what they are supposed to do. Stephen Lynch’s newest, 3 Balloons, is the textbook example of this.
Lynch has been the best singing stand-up comedian for some time, but nothing about this album matches anything previous albums have brought. Lynch’s humor has always been a stripped down blend of devilishly clever things that should should probably never be said in public and bizarre observational humor in lyrical form.
And while this, I suppose, is still the core of 3 Balloons, it’s a very hollow core. Part of this is due to the bigger sound of this album. Arrangements include violin, keys, and other instruments, but this some how makes Lynch and his guitar seems distant and less important. It causes the tunes to feel like they’re lacking comedic grit, for lack of a better way to put it. It takes away bluntness that so much of Lynch’s humor relies on.
He also doesn’t seem to be totally invested in the album. I’m not sure exactly how to put it, but there doesn’t seem to be much behind his words. They lyrical delivery lacks punch and seems halfhearted.
Really, nothing seems fresh on 3 Balloons. The comedic riffs on topics ranging from AIDS (“Waiting”) to jingoism (“America”) just fall flat. The set-up to surprise formula that he’s often used so effectively never elicits a hearty laugh (or even a chuckle) on this album. Even the pop culture-centric tracks (“Crazy Peanuts” and “Ballad of Scarface”) don’t work. They’re more of listings of the events of the comic strip and film than a clever take on the properties.
“A History Lesson,” which is easily the funniest track on the album, isn’t even a real song; it’s recording banter. On it Lynch discusses historical figures via little ditties about Ben Franklin, Isaac Newton, Pilgrims, slavery, Wright brothers, and Gandhi. It’s uproariously funny and the only track that is worth giving multipule listens. The only other funny tracks on 3 Balloons are the “Dear Diary” songs. These four tunes, all clocking in at under a minute, are fake diary entries by tragic historical figures/celebs. They are really simple, but offer the otherwise missing surprise humor.
To put it bluntly, 3 Balloons just isn’t very funny. As a huge fan of Lynch, and someone who laughs easily, that’s saying something.
Review Score: 1.3
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