The curmudgeon isn’t a comedic archtype that’s anything new.

From the “I can’t get no respect” of Rodney Dangerfield, to the self-hating of Louis C.K., all the way through to the “WHAT IS THIS?!” quasi-heart attacks of Lewis Black.

So when another man in his 40s takes to the stage with an angry viewpoint on the world; another guy that know’s he’s write while everyone else is not only wrong but a waste of space – he has to do something to separate himself from the mix.

Bill Burr not only manages to separate himself from the other cranks in his new Netflix special, I’m Sorry You Feel That Way, he does it spectacularly.

Lampooning the usual shopping list – political correctness, race relations, religion, gun control and the music kids listen to these days – Burr manages to make his well trodden thought process still seem new and fresh off the press original.

And it’t the way he sells his jokes that really makes them special. He uses subtle flashes of voice characterisation, physical comedy (there’s a suicide from a helicopter bit that fucking almost killed me), and a long smear of self-deprecation to give his old man yelling at a cloud schpeal a giant dollop of heart. And despite his age, there’s something that’s cheeky in his delivery – like he’s a smart arse kid mouthing back at you, but stinging you with a comeback so good that you can’t help but giggle.

He’s also relentless in his approach. There’s gag after gag after gag, each just as strong as the last. And when he’s not sliding you a polished joke, he’s wildly charming when he riffs with his Atlanta audience, calling them out for their Southern mindset and therefore lack of response to jokes that the rest of the country loses their mind over – you know, guns and racism.

This is a special that truly puts Burr in the top echelon of comedians working and releasing specials today. I can only hope that he doesn’t continue to grow too powerful, as he might reach the point where he gets to wipe the 85% of us out, like he’s always wanted.

I’m Sorry You Feel That Way is available to those that have got access to Netflix. And for those that don’t, the whole thing is up on Youtube [not gonna link to it though cos that’s not right].

Bill Burr will be in the country this weekend Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne (Jan 29) and the Sydney Opera House (Feb 1).

Tickets are still available from Ticketmaster.