Album Review: Mark DeBonis, Minutiae

Mark DeBonis likes to talk about stupid shit. His words, not mine. Minutiae is the perfect title for the fifth album from this Canadian made, LA-based comedian. With a 42 minute offering that’s half stand up and half audio sketches, Debonis asks questions no one else is asking. Not in the political sense, but in the childlike “why would a spider put a web there?” and “why can’t I have the biggest pizza slice?” sense. He’s not talking about big overarching concepts or trying to fix anyone’s problems. Which, in a world teeming with impossible problems, can be relaxing.

Speaking of- Minutiae opens with a sketch addressing some relatable COVID frustrations. It’s a nice solution for every comedian’s dilemma: If you address the pandemic, you may just say what’s already been said 1000 times over. But if you launch right into “regular life” material it seems weird and inauthentic. The 2020 Sketch feels like a fresh way to address what’s happening, have a chuckle about it, and move on. 

The mix of sketch and stand-up is an inventive concept with varying rates of success. On one hand, the sketches (voiced by a who’s who of Toronto talent), liven things up, introducing silly concepts that wouldn’t have worked as well for stand-up. On the other, sometimes they feel weighed down by exposition. 

Overall, Minutiae is a good time with a charming performer. If you’ve been spending most of 2020 putting out fires, Debonis provides a nice opportunity to take a break and put your focus on the silly things.

Minutiae was released November 20, 2020 on Comedy Records
Listen to it here.