Customer Reviews

Sky Is Falling & I Want My Mommy

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

 

 

Jello Biafra has not put out that much in the way of dud material, and this cd is definitely one of his better releases. For some reason, people are harsher about this than his overrated 'Prairie Home Invasion'. (Sorry, I'm a big fan of Jello, as much as Mojo Nixon, but that was not such a great album).

This is much as you would expect of a Jello Biafra album - fruit-loop vocals, heavy pile-driver punk riffs and more parandoid rants than your average David Hasselhoff compilation.

Standout tracks are; 'the Flume', 'the Myth is real, let's Eat' and 'Chew'. The latter being a heartwarming account of mutant super-rats taking over the city subway and feasting on hapless commuters.

To think poor old Jello got beaten up in Frisco for being a 'punk sellout' - who says Americans don't understand the concept of irony . . .

(4.5 stars) Steaming along at a touch over half an hour, this record feels more epic than it is - probably due to the sequencing of the three longest tracks towards the end. As far as backing musicians, what NoMeansNo may lack in sheer power over previous collaborators D.O.A. they make up in spades with quirky energy and airtight musicianship. Even considering the (relatively speaking) complex epics of _Frankenchrist_ this is the best and tightest group of musicians Mr. Biafra has ever had at his command. And while Jello really isn't stretching himself too much here, spouting off the same paranoid absurdist dystopian scenarios and sociopolitical critiques from the far, far, left, he's adapted his manic vocal delivery enough to match the herky-jerky frantic noodling of NMN. Other than the appropriately-titled "Bad" (credited to the Ramones-worshipping alter-egos of NMN "The Hanson Brothers") all of the tracks are pretty much outstanding. "Bruce's Diary", with its faux Average White Band keyboard horn section and a driving, funky loping beat, is my favorite track, with the slashing, almost King Crimson-esque attack of "Sharks In The Gene Pool" taking a close second. But most of the record is good clean fun, whether its the spare, eerie tale of sewer rat vs. human "Chew" (great chorus, Jello) or the silly but raging log flume tribute "Ride The Flume." The flat raspy production, combined with NMN's ultra-treble aggro guitar tones, adds a perhaps unnecessary harhnesss to some of the record - but you can only contain this energy so much. Highly recommended.

This is one of the best punk bands albums ever made. Second only to Dead Kennedys Bed time for Democracy. If you like fast punk rock this is as good as it gets. Classic Jello Biafra lyrics and some great, fast action by NoMeansNo. A great album to add to your collection for any hard core punk fan.

What can be better than Jello Biafra? Oh but Jello Biafra and NO MEANS NO. Great sarcastic artwork covers this damn wonderful record. The lyrics are great as always. The music kicks arse as well, with the city rat horror of CHEW and genetic halocaust of Sharks in the gene pool. Who needs caffine pills? I've got The sky is falling, and I want my mommy!

well seeing how there never will be a reunion .this is about as close you well get it to it.bringing the most talented punk band nomeansno(a band that is a mix of raw punk with musicmanship)songs that go on more than 2 minutes.with the most outspoken punk activeist front man jello biafra. this is as good as it get since the dks did Frankenchrist.that no lie!!! i could explain the album in complete detail but my other frinds here at amazom have done a nice job doing so.so i will just say if you want some punk for your collection that will make it seem worthwhile this is not an album to miss out on!!!...

I can't say much about No Means No on their own terms, but based on this record, it sounds like they came up as a Dead Kennedy's cover band. I mean, they have that DK sound wired!

Speaking only for myself, I found most of DK's stuff after Fresh Fruit to be a little annoying. I respect 'em greatly, but there wasn't a whole lot of levity in their later recordings. This is the best thing, IMHO, that Jello has done since Fresh Fruit. His maturity, topics, and *unique style* fit perfectly here, and this is a great, overlooked punk record...

The only good songs on here are Jesus was A Terriorist and Ride the Flume. Both those songs freaking rule! The rest are in my opinion not good. They have slow grinding choppy seasawing beats and are too long.