Patton Oswalt

My Weakness Is Strong

WEA/Reprise

August 25, 2009

By Anders Nils Pierson

Comedian Patton Oswalt’s newest release My Weakness is Strong gives you the typical Patton treatment: a collection of stories fueled by his anger and filled with his usual nonsensical outbursts and abstract fowl images. If you’ve heard him tell a joke before, you know what to expect. A hint: he’s already screaming, “I hate! I hate!” within minutes of beginning his act.

Since becoming a fan of his, I’ve noticed him on different television shows (“King of Queens”, “Flight of the Conchords”) and in a few movies (Reno 911!: Miami, Ratatouille). His distinct voice is pretty easily recognizable. He stands out. He’s not your usual actor/comedian. That is, perhaps, the reason he’s as great as he is.

The major difference between My Weakness and his earlier releases is that this album has a much more cohesive concept. Patton is maturing; his wife is pregnant, and he is beginning to straighten out his life before the baby is due. His work is maturing, too. Most of his stories are about trying to become a positive role model when you are overweight, drink and smoke, take LSD and are somehow still famous. He is picking apart his attempts at growing up with malice and discontent, and that critique is what makes this performance hilarious.

A comedy album isn’t something that I can have playing while I do other things. It doesn’t make good background noise and begs for my full focus. That being said, an album has to be exceptional if I’m going to designate an hour solely for listening to it. I think Patton might be one of the few comedians capable of delivering a performance worth that commitment.