Customer Reviews

Metaphysical Graffiti

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

And so the Milkmen were stars. Well, perhaps folks took them for nothing more as the creators of a novelty pop song--"Punk Rock Girl", which crawled it's trembling way into the hearts of radio listeners in the summer of 1988. Metyphisical Graffitti--a Led Zepplin spoof--was the follow up to their minor commercial success. And it is an amazing album--This is the first Milkmen album that fully exposes a side of brittle seriousness, which the band flirted with on previous albums like "Eat Your Paisley" (1986) or "Bucky Fellini" ('Watching Scotty Die')(1987). The song, "There's a little Man in my head", from "Metyphisical" is a painful cry for help; it's a protest song against ones'self--The feeling evoked is one of inner chaos, albeit masked by the band's silly facade. And the spoken word interludes (i.e. "wild old professor griff") are absurd stream-of-conscious brilliance. The first time I heard this record, I must admit, I was a bit turned off. But this is one of those records that grows on you like Kudzu--It weaves it's way into the mind and opens eyes to the Milkmen's fragile state-of-mind via their poppycock antics. Don't put down the Milkmen for their silliness--these guys were sparky--Joe Talcom's heartfelt scribbling guitar lines (and clean/surfy tone) have yet to be reproduced and the intense rantings of Rodney Anyonomous prompt a sense of urgency--an urgency that has yet to be completely realized by the elitest listener, who continually pans the Milkmen for their novelty appeal. This album is not only a personal masterpiece for the Milkmen, it provides insightfull social commentary. This album explores America's new found obsession with Conspiracy theories and points to pop culture as the culprit--Increadible statement for the late 1980s. The last great Dead Milkmen album.

There is no doubt that among Dead Milkmen albums, this is not the place to start. Big Lizard is much greater and more worthy of any self respecting punk rocker and Beelzebubba is more consistantly good. However, this album should not, would not, could not be ignored. Dead Milkmen are not a novelty band or a stupid generic pop punk band. They play punk, funk, psychadelic, and little bits of other strangeness picked here and there throughout the musical universe. They play music for children on lots and lots of LSD. That's what it sounds like. Its funny but usually not "ha ha" funny, just weird and goofy. For free spirits with angry punk energy. "Beige Sunshine", "Methodist Coloring Book", and "If You Love Somebody, Set Them On Fire" are three songs you can't live without unless you suck. The rest is just ok by Dead Milkmen standards but better than most albums. For people who listen to Butthole Surfers, Ramones, Ween, Devo, Circle Jerks, Dead Kennedys, and good stuff.

I think that sums it up.. funny, witty, poignant, and not lacking in the social and political allegories, Metaphysical Graffiti has it all. If you are easily offended, this is not your album. If you are in search of biting punditry and probing songs, this is your album - just don't expect to hear any of these songs on your favorite "corporate" station.

The last track is without a doubt the best thing the Milkmen have ever done... make sure to listen to the entire song, and you will be wondering about maggots that are 3 feet long!

I owned this ( as a cassette of course) when i was in high school! And its still hilarious!! If you like Cake, then this is for you! Good price and quick delivery!!

I have loved the Dead Milkmen from the beginning and people thought I was nuts when this came out and I thought it was their best album. years later, I still think that is. I disagree with the other reviewer that thought Beige Sunshine was the worst track on the album. I think it's one of the better ones. I really like the "heavy metal" style that they're mocking here. It was cool when they did it live on this tour, too. I Hate You, I Love You is great as is Methodist Coloring Book, In Praise of Sha Na Na (even though Dean said he hates this one), and Now Everybody's Me. These are GREAT tunes and are on my all time favorite list in the DM library of tunes. Do the Brown Nose is also a classic and very humorous. This is definitely worth buying. If you haven't heard the Milkmen, this is the one to get. If you don't like this one, you probably won't like the others.

This might be my least favoriate of all the DM albums. If you are a fan, it is a must have. However, if you are new to this band, there are a few other albums I would recommended before this one.

I've been a diehard Milkmen fan since 1986. This album was a departure from short choppy homestudio sounding tracks. At first I was turned off completely. It sounded like a bunch of kids suddenly given over to studio production values. But damn if it didn't grow on me like hairs on a pork sausage. Really the only album I ever listen to until this very day! Oh yeah and another thing... I disagree with the post above me. Stoney's Extra Stout Pig isn't the least bit disapointing.

These are some seriously happy tunes! The kind you find yourself singing when you get bored at work!

this record gets 5 stars for the improv bits alone--i squirted hi-c out of my nose the first time i heard about 'cousin earl's maggot farm'-- a writer for pitchfork claims that bit is particularly awful, and 'singlehandedly got them kicked off elektra.' that writer is a pud. 'do the brown nose' 'meth coloring book' and 'now everybody's me' are other highlights. it's not my favorite dm album, but it is a classic, imperfections and all.

To most, this was not the Milkmen's last great album. After they blew everyone away with 'Big Lizard' , let them down with 'Eat Your paisley', built up hopes with 'Bucky Fellini", then blew 'em away a second time with 'Beezlebubba' (featuring MTV fave 'Punk Rock Girl'), this record, a bit more polished than previous albums, looks in hindsight like the first steps into weaker territory.
But it is not so.
Different though it may be, Metaphysical Grafitti is still freakin' awesome. "Methodist Coloring Book" rocks the friggin' house, as does "I Hate You, I Love You". Ditto "Brown Nose" and "Now Everybody's Me" , which also make you laugh. "Beige Sunshine" and "Anderson, Walkman, Buttholes and How!" are jsut weird. Good weird. Plus you'll learn all about Sarah Jane, Cousin Earl, and Billy Boheggis, and you NEED to know about them, if you want to think of yrself as a well-rounded, educated person. Or if you ever want to have porno sex.