For all of Rock's fealty to hard fact and the disenchantments of experience, "Tamborine" is most exciting, and most unlike anything he's done before, when he gropes toward transformation.

[Rock's] willingness to derail the laughs shows a newfound vulnerability-all before he brings the act safely back to a funny zone.

Rock has thus made his most personal special without ever getting that personal - a testament to his talents, not a criticism of them.

Chris Rock returns to us with things to say and share, with humor that serves as a nice respite as we ourselves march on and endure.