Customer Reviews

Never Breathe What You Can't See

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Being a big fan of both Jello and the Melvins, I had some pretty high hopes for this album. You get to expect a certain degree of creativity and/or experimentation from the Melvins, and that isn't really represented here. I suppose it should be stressed that this is more of a Jello Biafra record using the Melvins as his backing band, rather than a true collaboration. Jello wrote all of the lyrics (which are biting as ever), and most of the music (the three or four really fantastic songs on the album were either written by or with Buzz), so this album's not a whole lot different than, say, his collaborations with D.O.A. and Nomeansno.

Not to say that it's a bad CD. It's definitely one of the best of this year. Just don't go in with the wrong expectations, and you'll probably enjoy the hell out of it.

I have to admit that I was really nervous playing this CD at first because I have high expectations for such an all-star pairing. I shouldn't have worried because "Never Breathe..." had all of the dynamic, high-octane noise-punk I've come to expect from these guys. It's a thrill to hear both parties come up with new music that's just as exciting as their earlier work.

The Melvins have always been amazing, but I've especially appreciated their newer albums like "Hostile Ambient Takeover." That one served notice that they're still decimating everything in sight. This newest outing launches a similar all-out approach, but King Buzzo & company purposefully play more noticeably "standard" (for them!) hardcore punk-influenced structures. That's no insult, however, and this really brought to mind mid-period Black Flag combined with the Dead Kennedys' progressive "Frankenchrist"-style songs. This puppy is LOUD and non-stop.

As for Jello, he provides his always great song topics (probably the one songwriter whose lyric sheet I read front-to-back) with his classic voice, and he's as enthusiastic as he was with his '90s collaborations. In particular, it's on par (maybe even better: still haven't decided yet) with the muscular post-hardcore album he did with Nomeansno back in 1991, but with the real abrasive Lard edge. "Yuppie Cadillac" is the track I keep playing over and over, but the entire disc is really strong, and my other favorites are "McGruff the Crime Dog" and the slam-into-a-wall, sludgy closer "Dawn of the Locusts."

If you're a fan of either artist, this is a great album which you shouldn't hesitate to pick up. This and the Melvins' earlier CD with Lustmord are easily my two favorite albums of 2004, and Jello's really picking up where he left off with Lard's "Pure Chewing Satisfaction." This CD is a dream pairing, and if you like your music edgy and challenging, definitely check it out!

First let me say, I've been a fan of Jello Biafra's music starting with the Dead Kennedys, loved most of his 'Jello Biafra and ...' one-off discs, and really dug most of Lard (being also a Ministry fan).

Jello Biafa and the Melvins' "Never Breath What You Can't See" is probably tied for my favorite 'Jello Biafa and...' disc, along with EP Jello Biafra and D.O.A.'s "Last Scream of the Missing Neighbors". I wasn't a huge Melvins fan (more due to lack of exposure to them than outright dislike) but after listening to "Never Breath...", I'll definitely be checking out more of their catalog. The combo of the Melvins and Jello on several songs evoke a bit of the Dead Kennedys best disc "Frankenchrist".

"Plethysmograph" has quickly become probably my favorite post-DK Jello song. . "Yuppie Caddillac" seems like an updated nod to the DK song "Winnebego Warrior". I also liked "McGruff..." and "Enchanted Thoughtfist". The other songs are pretty standard Jello rant tunes, but they rise above the stuff on the other 'Jello and...' discs because of the Melvins' playing.

My only real complaint - and its minor - is that the song topics focus a ~bit~ much on Islam/9-11 stuff, though its not too surprising given the times.

If you're a Jello fan, I highly recommend this disc.

I got turned on to DK in the late 80's, and never got to see them live, but they've always been my favorite punk band. I didn't get into Lard much, and lost touch with Biafra's output since then. I love the Melvyns, though, so I got this - it completely rocks.

It sounds more like Biafra's album than the Melvyns, but the Melvyn's are so muscular (Rutmanis on bass has been and continues to be a huge addition to the band) that they really bring the songs to a very high quality level, and Biafra's vocals are to Punk what Easy E's were to RAP.

Great album.

wow, it's been almost 30 years since fresh fruit, and jello still has it. or is holding on to it. he's still a great lyricist and I respect him a lot. I will pick up anything he puts out, because I know it will be better than most of everything else. BUT, this is not the sky is falling and it is not Lard. it's not DK, it's not even missing neighbors, BUT it IS still jello so if you love him, you'll love this, if not, not! honestly, I don't know the melvins, but this album is loud and tough and relevant. buy it, it's only 8 songs.

If you're new to jello (somehow), then this is the order you go:
1plastic surgery disasters 2frankenchrist 3 fresh fruit 4 give me convenience 5last temptation of reid 6power of lard or 70's rock must die 7last scream of the missing neighbors 8melvins 9bedtime for democracy

This album caught me by surprise. I've always liked Biafra's work, and had a bit of interest in the Melvins, but never expected something like this to work so well.

Both work really well together, the lyrics compliment the sound better than any of these collaborations (well, maybe besides his album with Mojo Nixon) they are hilarious, strange, and disturbing, and usually on target.

I just never really expected Biafra to be a part of another really great studio album.

If you like both the Melvins and Jello Biafra, you have probably already bought this. It leans heavily toward being a Jello Biafra release, though. I bought it thinking that it would sound like what you'd expect if the Melvins wrote a bunch of songs and had Jello sing. Instead, you get a lot of songs that had the music written either in part or wholly by Jello. Not to say that that's a bad thing, far from it, but it took me by surprise. It certainly gave me more respect for Jello's musical aptitude. If you think "heavier version of the Dead Kennedys" you'll be pretty close. There are some obvious Buzz riffs in there, though.
I like both of these bands a lot, so four stars from me. If you're expecting a new Melvins CD, you may be a little disappointed with this. If you can't stand Jello's left-wing politics, you might be a little turned-off as well. But look past these faults and you've got a great CD.

Loud and angry, Biafra's distinctive vocals attack everything from "War on Terror" hypocrisy to yuppie drivers against the frenetic buzzsaw punk/heavy sludge of the Melvins. This is a largely Jello-dominated album, although the collaboration works well. Several songs paint a creepy, nightmarish picture of post-9/11 voyeurism, including "McGruff the Crime Dog" and "The Lighter Side of Global Terrorism" (about a security worker who REALLY enjoys his job). Granted, Jello's aren't the most nuanced political lyrics you'll ever hear, but they get the point across. The Melvins rock, as usual.

Being a huge fan I'm a little bit bias, I was looking for some spoken word. Never the less I did enjoy it.

For the record, I don't own this yet. I'm just amazed that it even exists at all. Let's just say that based on what I know about the Melvins (specifically Buzz,) I'm shocked that they did anything with Jello Biafra. The Buzz I knew would have been more inclined to throw moldy tomatoes at Biafra from across the street than to collaborate with him on anything. Then again, it's been a long time. What do I know?

EDIT: OK, I actually bought this out of curiosity. And maybe a little guilt. Sadly, it's just as banal as I assumed it would be. Ever since the DKs broke up, Jello's only means to satisfy his yearning to preach and finger-wag has been to find any functional band who'll have him and somehow convince them to stop what they're doing and become his backup for one record. Actually, in the beginning he was able to convince Al & Ministry to do it for two or three records before they wised up. Anyway, the songs on this are completely forgettable, though it was cute to hear Buzz actually doing a decent imitation of East Bay Ray on one track.