Album Review: Dana Smith, I’ll Smile At Your Funeral

The debut album from Winnipeg comedian and sketch performer Dana Smith, I’ll Smile At Your funeral, is this comedian’s attempt to approach the age old question, “isn’t it weird how women are different from men?” This observation ties together a wide range of subject matter, from body hair to menstruation to hiding weed in your vagina. 

In I’ll Smile At Your Funeral, Smith captures the electric qualities of a live performance. Punctuated by clever puns and misdirects, this album captures the spontaneity and originality of the evening’s performance. Smith engages with the audience wonderfully, immersing them into the performance by awarding them beer and asking if they remember her husband, Tim. 

This album does, however, fall short on occasion. In track #2, Smith explores the double meaning of the term ‘beauty is relative’ with an overused incest joke. Her characterization of female masturbation offers nothing new. And even when she approaches her queer identity, Smith unfortunately defaults to the time-honoured tradition of comparing genitals with food – only to casually infer that sexuality is a choice.

Smith is a seasoned comedian who is perfectly at home on stage. This must have been a truly entertaining live show, as evidenced by the infectious energy of the evening.

I’ll Smile At Your Funeral was released October 1, 2021 on Howl and Roar Records.
Listen to it here.