This is the dead kennedys 2nd album. Like all their others, it has a totally unique sound, but still has the trademark searing guitar, trebly bass, loud drums and politics. This is personally my favorite DK album, but who gives a **** what i think, so lets get right to the review
The Dead Kennedys by now were one olf the most popular bands in the hardcore scene, and after their EP "In God We Trust, Inc" (included as a bonus w/ the cd) the band went away from the EP's ranting raving 60 second song formulas and regained their sense of humor- Jello is once again the dark twisted boy we all know and love. The songs themselves are all better arranged, and all have little specific things about them, so lets just break this down song by song.
1. Government Flu
This song begins with crash cymbal thing by Pellighro, and a happy nurse gives a perky spoken word intro happlily discussing life in suburbs as "happy and having fun." This disinigrates into a cartoonish supervillain riff then speeds up to a million miles an hour. perfect timing.
2. Terminal Preppie
With great guitar and bass parts, Jello adopts the persona of a preppie you just wish you could kick the *** of. This is one of the funniest and angriest songs.
3. Trust Your Mechanic
This song has a drumroll through most of it, giving is a real driving sound. it breaks down to Ray tightening and loosening the guitar strings. This is one of their more innovative tricks on the album, but it could have been done better.
4. Well Paid Scientist
A rant against rich scientists. It starts traditionally, then breaks into a loud jangly acoustic part and tribal drums. Lots of different parts.
5. Buzzbomb
The riff and growl that begin this are unmistakable. Good solo. Song just gets more and more pissed.
6. Forest Fire
The best song in my opinion, and a fun one on bass. Opens with a surf type happy funj in the sun riff, and hilarious lyrics about a man eating berries and burning down a national park. Great riffs, lots of distortion.
7. Halloween
I lied -THIS is the best song on the album. With a sick bass riff which mutates into a guitar lick, this song may win the riff prize. The lyrics are the best though - about people who let loose once a year, and the hypocripsy of halloween - you may be crazy 1 day, but then it's back to the job. Ends w/ "Take your social revolution and shove it up your ***." They never were subtle, but is that really so bad?
8. Winnebago warrior
This is another goofy song ranting against the hick mentality of vacationing. This is basically the simpsons "Canyonero" song punked out. (The "yeehaa and howling are very similar.)
9. Riot
This is another great song with a lot of different parts, riffs, and a long intro. Basically it both celebrates and denounces riots. "Tommorrow were homeless...today it's a blast." Conficted.
10. Bleed for me.
This one isn't all that hot. It has a long built up intro, which pretty much ruins the great rest of the song.
11. I am the owl
This one has the best concept "I am the owl, I weed out the fowl." CIA spook all the way. The thing about the guy on LSD in the highway is funny. Good bass riff.
12. Dead End
This song is a dead end. Its pretty much just all riff and nothing else. Judge me if you will, but it's just not that great. Being DK is good but they could do better.
13. Moon Over Marin
This song is about pollution, and is the poppiest song on the album. It's like a twisted proenvironment buzzcocks number, with a great breakdown, and Jello's vocals are great. It's a good way to close out the album.
On the CD comes the "In God We Trust Inc" EP which i wont go into detail about. basically, they do rapid fire punk songs like "Dog Bite" and the great "Nazi Punk **** Off" They're all pretty much the same, so i wont review them all. However, 1 song sticks out, and is one of my personally favorites - a follow-up to the great "Callifornia Uber Alles"
20. We've Got a Bigger Problem Now
This song begins as a lounge jazz song, with biafra imitating a lounge singer, promoting drinks "1 part jack daniels, 2 parts kool-aid, 1 part fromaldehide" then they jump right into a jazz "uber alles" then the punk traditional and back again. It's one of their best tracks.
Well, thats it. This is a great punk album. It's got the best sound, and some of the best jokes the band ever recorded. If you dont own it...GET IT! It's worth it!
5 ****in Stars
(jesus, how many times did i say "riff?" well, at least the messege should get across)
