American Alternative music reviews

This is a completely underated band that deserves a lot more recognition....this whole album ROCKS! Buy it, you won't regret it!

Don't hesitate here, this is the definitive Chicago sound of the late 80's, early 90's, and possibly the best output of this seminal band. It lurches and pounces and David yow is the ace in the hole that sets it on fire. It is darn near impossible to listen to Nub and not turn your stereo up and up and up. In a genre that can sound dated, this album is timeless. My strongest recomendation.

Let's get one thing straight, I never put a review down for anyone.
But this is how much I love this band, I had almost lost my faith in rock n' roll until one day I picked up this album on a whim.
My God, my mind was officially blown, this is what rock is meant to sound like, why, I ask did these guys not have a major career in the 90's ie. Nirvana.
Like all good albums there's not one or two good songs, the whole thing is top notch.
David Yow spitting his lyrics into the mic, big fat bass riffs, what can I say they're the band you're big brother should have got you into(like Iggy), you know secretly sliding that album onto you're pillow while you're at school. (sadly that didn't happen for me).
But at least I found this album, sorry this band, do anything, buy anything, well almost anything. I highly recommend Goat, Head/Pure, Show, Liar, Down, and Shot if you really like them.
Coolest band ever.

I love the Butthole surfers but this one didn't do it for me. Too spacy just to be spacy, it doesn't make me go oh ya that's some cool music. Independent worm saloon and Electric Larry Land are fantastic albums and one or two that i can't think of now. But this one is a thumbs down from me.

their 2'nd best next to locust abortion technician, from the sickening music and artwork, to the members of the band and their freakish onstage antics, they scored pretty good with this, i think. since there are no song titles on the album, i thought i'd put them here and how long they are.
1. jimi (12:48)
2. ricky(2:36)
3. i saw an x-ray of a girl passing gas (4:56)
4. john e. smokes (6:40)
5. rocky (3:45)
6. julio iglesias (3:05)
7. backass (6:07)
8. fast song (1:35)

5 stars+

Even if Gibby & the boys didn't blow the doors clean off for the full length of this LP I would've still gotten a hold of a copy on account of it being for my money the greatest album title of all time. But they did. So that's like eleven thumbs up right there.

I saw The Jesus Lizard play at the Middle East in Boston in the last ninties, and it was probably one of the best experiences I've had, rock group entertainment-wise: David Yow was the manifestation of some type of swamp creature, who had crawled out of his back woods lair to climb around the bar and hang from the rafters, literally swinging all around and freaking people out. Show is the Jesus Lizard live experience, complete with between song banter, which is almost worth the price alone (at some point Mac's monitor goes out and David Yow says, "I think Mac's monitor has joined the realms of the non-existant." Someone in the crowd asks, "Is that Neiche?" and David Yow replies, "Neiche? I Neiche your mouth full of my cock," which may just be my late adolescent first encounter with The Jesus Lizard speaking, or the fact that it's the most hilarious thing I've ever heard in my life). Beyond the theatrics, what the disc provides you essentially, is the fact that this was an incredibly awesome live group, and if you missed them here's you chance to catch a glimpse--until they try and capitalize on some future interest punk rock, and reunite.

So what? It's a CD, with all it's limitations. Even so, this is a gloriously pure recording, no cuts whatsoever- the tape just runs.

The band jumps out of your speakers, with Dave Yow's inimitable between song patter launching another precision barrage from easily one of the most consistently lockstep bands ever to hit a stage.

Truest evolution of punk energy into controlled demolition, Dave taunting the Damned (headliners), the nyc rock stars in the audience, using the uncomprehending smattering of claps at the close of a song like nitrous fuel for the next.

I saw 'em no fewer than 6 times, and when I'm 80, it will probably best describe the zeitgheist of those times AND those moments.

-ted.o

The last time I saw the Jesus Lizard i had brought along two friends who knew nothing about the band. They both were blown away literally and had to leave before the show was over. Once simply replied "my heart has felt like was going to pop out of my chest many a time, but that felt like the exact opposite."
This album comes as close to anything that possibly could capture that feeling, but still miles away. Simply the best live band to grace any stage.

Sorry to say, but this album is not as good as I expected it to be. It's not even close to the same as seeing them live. And frankly, I'm most disappointed because it was poorly recorded. I've been to a number of cowboy mouth concerts, and they just don't sound nearly as good on this CD as they do in real life. I heard Fred sing The Foot of Canal Street earlier this summer and it was spectacular; on this CD, however, it was just disappointing. Buy their studio albums and see them live, but pass on this CD.

While I agree with an earlier comment that this CD does not encapsulate the true sound of Cowboy Mouth live, what recording possibly can?? Any live concert recording will always come up short of the unadulterated energy these guys produce live. I've seen this band in concert at least a dozen times and this CD is the next best thing. I'll take this over the radio-friendly 'Easy', although I bought 'Easy' the day it was released. ;-) Get this CD and get to a live performance on the Southern Comfort tour. The music produced by this band defies a single categorization which makes it a truly unique New Orleans 'gumbo' band. 4 1/2 Stars.

this would be it! I have every CM album out there, but this one is definitely my favorite. No, it's not the same as being there -- but it's as close as you can possibly get! Cowboy Mouth's rampant enthusiasm at live shows is enough to make me weep... and this CD is enough to make me misty. That is, when I'm not bumping my head on the roof of my car trying to dance in the driver's seat... or endangering my vocal chords screaming responses to Fred. If you only own one Cowboy Mouth album, this should be it!

Reading the reviews for this CD I am reminded of the times when this band was actively touring in the mid- to late-eighties. I loved this band and proudly admitted they were one of my favorite bands. I knew many kids who would bad-mouth the band and complain about the straight edge lyrics and simple music. The funny thing was that you'd see all those same kids at the club when YOT played. The crowds were always larger than the average show. This was and is great straight ahead hardcore. Just like I told all those kids back in the day, if you don't like it don't listen. If you're looking for fancy chord progression and melody you are looking in the wrong place. If you want to hear agressive, honest, hardcore this is it. As for changes the members have gone through, that is life. If you are the same person you were nearly 20 years ago perhaps you need to take a long look at your life...

(...) This band can't preach and suck; too many straight edge bands seem like they just picked up a guitar from their mommy and daddy's and got some friends together and in less than a day a band is formed. Well; Youth of Today aren't Cappo ione of those bands: Ray s good at what he does, as well as the rest of the band members. I personally think straight-edge can be quite annoying sometimes: I know you can get mad at being mad and have the tough-guy "huh" (Phil Anselmo's voice there) grunt at yelling about ciggarettes: it's a positive thing. (...) I'm not striaght edge (in case you couldn't tell), but I respect many straight edge bands and their ideals. I hate how they (a LOT of them) confront you like a bunch of damn bible throwing Jehova Witness followers though. It's cool if you're straight-edge; some of my best bro's are, but don't shove it down people's throats otherwise you're just like them. Straight edge has a different meaning to everyone: vegeterian/no sex/no drugs/ no booze. I hate drugs but I do drink; I don't promote alcohaulism or wife-beaters or anything to that extent(...). I think straight-edge is more about basic morales and respect (definitions vary again), so if this is going to help some kid overcome heroin or abuse of any kind then good for it, but if it's going to transform a vunerable kid into a trend-following jackass that is quick to judge then it's the person that interpretted this album's fault. So don't say your stance is the best. Youth of Today was in-your-face in content, but Ray Cappo is a pretty down to earth guy. I like that. This is one of the only official Revelation full-lengths, and it's sick. I love it. Just don't be one of the kids I mentioned above: for all of us; please. Youth of Today has all ready left a mark on hardcore; they are to it what Nirvana is to grunge. Way to go.

IMO the best straight edge band. powerful anthems about straight edge, prejudice, and other things done in a positive youthcrew vibe. definitely a must buy if you call yourself a ''hardcore kid'' but if you are then you probably alread own this. standout tracks: thinking straight and break down the walls.

This is a great album. This is back in the days when Lemonheads were a bit more Husker Du than R.E.M. It's catchy hardcore punk with a fair dose of melody thrown in. The soft songs are good too. Your Home is where your happy has to be my personal favourite here. This is one overlooked 80's album, good stuff

THE best album released that year. Starting with the very first
song, you'll hear ALL their influences, from Black Sabbath, the
Psychedelic Furs, Kiss, the Replacements...hell, Ben Deily's
guitar bridge in the middle of "Come to the Window" will remind
of early Hot Tuna. At this stage (and with this "once in a
lfetime" line-up) the 'Heads were an unstoppable, untouchable
supergroup. After Ben Deily's departure and Evan Dando's descent into the "abyss", they were never the same. Just think
kids-Dando/Deily up there, along side, hmmm...let's say...
Jagger/Richards...Lennon/McCartney...Mould/Hart. Who Knows?
Forget the haphazardness of "Lick" or the rawness of "Hate
Your Friends", on this disc this is one MAJOR force to be
reckoned with.

I think the Lemonheads did by far the best version Charlie's song "Home Is Where You're Happy" that I have heard so far by any band. The Beach Boys messed up his song "Cease To Exist" and Guns-N-Roses ought to be shot for stealing Charlie's song royalties. They were a great band in their time but not only did they do a real [bad] version of Charlie's song but they gave the profits to someone Charlie NEVER killed. To me that is not justice. That is a royalty shame.

As a young Chip Davis fan, I grew up listening to his first early albums. At the time I remember them as being absolutely incredible, but revisiting them some 20 years later has changed my perception on a lot of these releases.

Fresh Aire I is still one of the better in the series. It's a very mellow CD that's great for evening listens. Very pretty stuff. Historically, its groundbreaking too; the mix of Old World music with contemporary instrumentation, and Chip's love of the latest musical technology put this group all alone when this was released. On record, it was an audiophiles dream. The best example on the disc is the inventive introduction, Prelude/Chocolate Fudge, that sounds just like it's "Classical Rock" description.

Their are several drawbacks to the album, chiefly of all is that it sounds dated. The pioneering sound means that many studio effects and synthesizers used have since become extinct. Also, not a single one of the interludes is very musically interesting (generally only one line of melody in each one) and 4 of them on one album gets tedious; they might as well be the same track.

Perhaps not an eternal album, it's still a solid start to an interesting musical journey.

Though this is the first of the Fresh Aire series, I hesitate to recommend it as anyone's introduction to the series. Primarily that's because the album hasn't aged too well, and the synthesizers sounds that may have worked great in the 1970s now sound a little cheesy (also, the recording quality, though once a benchmark for audiophiles, now seems a little weak.)

Having said that, composer Chip Davis surpringly displays more musical talent here than on some of his most recent efforts. "Chocolate Fudge" is a great high energy track to get things going. "Mist" is a short, but sweet finale, and "Sonata" is one of the most classically inspired pieces ever heard on a Fresh Aire album.

The album's tone is somewhat mellow, due in large part to solo piano interludes (there are 4 here, unlike on the later FA albums where there were only one, if any.) Listen closely to the interludes, and you'll see Chip is using a pattern (the first interlude uses a 4 note pattern, second is 3 notes, 3rd is 2 notes, and 4 is just one note.) There are other subtle things like this that make the album a bit more interesting. Listen to "Sara's Band" for example. Slow it down, and you have "Embers" from Fresh Aire 4, (and you also the ending to "Stille Nacht" from their famous Christmas album.) Of course, most of this is irrelevant to anyone other than the diehard fans.

Definitely recommended, but I'd suggest starting with one of the later Fresh Aires (#6 or 7 are both excellent. #2 is also quite good, being similar in tone to this album, but more polished.)

Even though this is Chip Davis's first Fresh Aire album, it boasts rich, bassy sounds that had probably never been heard so vibrantly before. This album of original Fresh Aire sounds is so briliantly executed, because this is first in a wonderful series of the infinite eight. Chip Davis has definitely created a first time masterpiece. *Look for my other reviews for all Fresh Aire albums.

As a young Chip Davis fan, I grew up listening to his first early albums. At the time I remember them as being absolutely incredible, but revisiting them some 20 years later has changed my perception on a lot of these releases.

Fresh Aire I is still one of the better in the series. It's a very mellow CD that's great for evening listens. Very pretty stuff. Historically, its groundbreaking too; the mix of Old World music with contemporary instrumentation, and Chip's love of the latest musical technology put this group all alone when this was released. On record, it was an audiophiles dream. The best example on the disc is the inventive introduction, Prelude/Chocolate Fudge, that sounds just like it's "Classical Rock" description.

Their are several drawbacks to the album, chiefly of all is that it sounds dated. The pioneering sound means that many studio effects and synthesizers used have since become extinct. Also, not a single one of the interludes is very musically interesting (generally only one line of melody in each one) and 4 of them on one album gets tedious; they might as well be the same track.

Perhaps not an eternal album, it's still a solid start to an interesting musical journey.

Though this is the first of the Fresh Aire series, I hesitate to recommend it as anyone's introduction to the series. Primarily that's because the album hasn't aged too well, and the synthesizers sounds that may have worked great in the 1970s now sound a little cheesy (also, the recording quality, though once a benchmark for audiophiles, now seems a little weak.)

Having said that, composer Chip Davis surpringly displays more musical talent here than on some of his most recent efforts. "Chocolate Fudge" is a great high energy track to get things going. "Mist" is a short, but sweet finale, and "Sonata" is one of the most classically inspired pieces ever heard on a Fresh Aire album.

The album's tone is somewhat mellow, due in large part to solo piano interludes (there are 4 here, unlike on the later FA albums where there were only one, if any.) Listen closely to the interludes, and you'll see Chip is using a pattern (the first interlude uses a 4 note pattern, second is 3 notes, 3rd is 2 notes, and 4 is just one note.) There are other subtle things like this that make the album a bit more interesting. Listen to "Sara's Band" for example. Slow it down, and you have "Embers" from Fresh Aire 4, (and you also the ending to "Stille Nacht" from their famous Christmas album.) Of course, most of this is irrelevant to anyone other than the diehard fans.

Definitely recommended, but I'd suggest starting with one of the later Fresh Aires (#6 or 7 are both excellent. #2 is also quite good, being similar in tone to this album, but more polished.)

Even though this is Chip Davis's first Fresh Aire album, it boasts rich, bassy sounds that had probably never been heard so vibrantly before. This album of original Fresh Aire sounds is so briliantly executed, because this is first in a wonderful series of the infinite eight. Chip Davis has definitely created a first time masterpiece. *Look for my other reviews for all Fresh Aire albums.

This CD should truthfully be named "Cracker's Greatest Hits" instead of Garage "D'or".

True Cracker fans are going to find that they already own 80% of the songs on "Garage D'or".

I am a fan of Cracker from "way back" but I am not impressed with their newer stuff which is spin-offs of Hank Willam Jr's "Family Tradition" and Carole King's "Rainy Days and Mondays".

I am afraid that if Cracker doesn't start writing original material and if they don't "update" their sound a tad they may soon become history.

I sincerely hope not, hang in there Cracker cuz I love you.

What a great collection! The first disk is a nice 16 retrospective that has most of the hits and key songs. A couple of puzzling omissions are "Happy Birthday to Me" and "I Hate My Generation.". The second disk is live stuff and rare stuff. This disk really seems to be designed for their core audience. It's hard to believe their catalog is made up of only 4 albums. It seems like they have done so much more.

Put it on and revel in the memories of the great Cracker albums to date. What can I say? Every track is a trip. Every song is a either an epic drama, a familiar friend or call to arms! No album collection is credible without this CD. Buy it now!

Being an avid fan of Jello, I regret saying that this album was less than you can usually expect from him. This is 2 CDs jammed full of preaching to the choir. The only spectacular item on this album is "Running for Mayor", which I thoroughly enjoyed. If you're a fan, you should have this for the classics like "Die for Oil, Sucker" and "Grow More Pot". (WARNING: Alternative Tentacles and Jello will get more money if you order straight from them!) www.alternativetentacles.com

Although originally released in 1991, during the first Gulf War, the first half of this album is more relevant and rings more true today than it did in 1991. The first half or so of the album is an excellent poetic rant against the war in Iraq and the neocons, even before the term "neocons" was widely used (he describes them accurately, without using the "neocon" label). His poetic rant against the war in Iraq has references to the oil industry, U.S. aid to Israel, the falling U.S. petrodollar, loss of civil liberties in the U.S., U.S. media, and the unwelcome reception the U.S. is receiving in Iraq for spreading "democracy". And just as this album states 14 years ago, the Democratic party has proven ineffective against the Republican war machine. Jello Biafra's words sound prophetic, 14 years later. My only criticism is that in one piece, Biafra puts too much faith in democracy. As we saw in the recent anti-gay marriage referenda, and the questionable election returns, too much democracy can be dangerous (mob rule). A must-have for anyone against the Iraq war, and anyone concerned with the future of America.

For all those who have yet to hear Biafra's satiric social commentary, this collection is a great palce to start. The 1st two pieces, "The Pledge of alleigence" and "Die For Oil" make this set well worth the money alone. And both are just as relevent today in our post 9-11 police state posture as they were when first released at the onset of the Operation Desert Storm, i.e., the holy war for oil. For as Biafra points out, quoting the famous social philosopher George Santayana, "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repaet it." And that is precisely what this copuntry is poised to do with another round of attacks against Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi people, which is just a pretext for assuring control of Middle East oil reserves and Isreal's contimuing disspossession of the Arab people.

Aside from these serious issues, Biafra also rails against the hypocrisy of censorship and its essential threat to freedom, his own journey from pacisist to advocate of direct action, the possibility of electoral reform, which after the "election" of Bu$h all can see is nothing more than a fanciful, albeit immobalizing, illusion. In addition to his comments on political participation he also gives a sardonic recounting of his own run for mayor of San Francisco, which is both hilarious and revealing of America's so-called democratic process. This is commentary and protest as only one should expect from the frontman of ther Dead Kennedys and as these disc's show, Jello is just as independent, serious, brash and entertaining as he was when singing "Califronia Uber Alles", only know he does so without the accopnaying music. This along with his other works can also be obtained directly from alternative tentacles and AK press. DIY and get involved now, before its too late.