Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening

Recording information: Airstream Audio Post (07/01/2009); The Brentwood Theatre, Los Angeles, CA (07/01/2009).
Photographer: Ruvan Wijesooriya.
If you're unfamiliar with the standup of the wicked funny actor/comedian Aziz Ansari, imagine a Mitch Hedberg tape sped up three ticks and then add an extra helping of snide to the routine, along with Internet-age nerdiness and some deviant ideas that are absolutely unquotable in mixed company. Here's hoping no one misses the irony of the album's title, because Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening stacks the rape jokes high, but Aziz's act is, fortunately, much more than filthy. "Harassing Harris on Facebook" wouldn't be nearly as funny if it weren't for the man's keen ability to put the listener in a paranoid preteen mindset while the insults thrown at MTV are razor-sharp, skewering the contestants of Aziz's most hated show, Next. Hipsters, social network addicts, and those who practice shroomery will get the most out of the man's thoroughly modern set, but you only need a passing knowledge of Kanye West and R. Kelly to belly laugh at the outstanding fourth quarter. Anyone who appreciates observational humor at breakneck speed must hear the comedian's re-creation of an R. Kelly club appearance, and if that weren't enough, Aziz's over the top "RAAAAAAAANDY" character from the film Funny People provides the encore, which brings down the house. Providing every reason why Kanye West and Judd Apatow are both big fans, this is a fantastic, uproarious debut. ~ David Jeffries