Customer Reviews: Read 47 more reviews...
 Brilliant and still relevant. September 12, 2005
Michael Stack (North Chelmsford, MA USA)
13 out of 14 found this review helpful
To many, this is the album where the Dead Kennedys ended and Jello Biafra's politically charged vision fully took focus. To me, that may be the case, but it's not a bad thing.
Largely a response to Reaganomics and malaise amongst Americans lyrically, musically "Frankenchrist" is something altogether different. In the time they've recorded, a number of trends have come and gone, and the Kennedys seem to absorb bits from new wave and other post-punk movements while somehow maintaining their edge and their sound.
The best pieces are when this push in music and the lyrics are both at their extremes-- morbid, bizarre new wave-ish masterpiece "Soup is Good Food" (about unemployment and the destruction of the middle class), spastic environmentalist punk "Hellnation", white trash lambasts "Jock-O-Rama" (about the culture of high school football) and "Goons of Hazzard" (fairly self-explanatory) all are noteworthy. But as far as sarcastic lyrics and oddball arrangements, very little can possibly compare to the stunning "MTV- Get Off the Air". Lambasting conservative music (meaning not risktaking) being marketed as innovative and force-fed to willing consumers, it somehow succeeds in being both amusing and serious at the same time. And certainly closer "Stars and Stripes of Corruption", a punk summary of Biafra's concerns about the country, is catchy, intelligent, sarcastic and all in all just a blast.
All in all, "Frankenchrist" a great album, and its really no surprise that the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) chose to attack this album. What's perhaps most frightening is how relevant so many songs written about a time seem today. Recommended for punk fans, political thinkers, and people who just like a good record.
Rate the album, not the packaging itself everyone January 16, 2005
TimothyFarrell22 (Massachusetts)
13 out of 14 found this review helpful
This is a masterpeice, plain and simple. The second greatest punk album ever, next to the Kennedys' debut "Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetalbes". It doesn't exactly click on the first listen, but subsequent listens prove it to be a flawless album. The accumulation of the trilogy that started with "Fresh Fruit", continued with "Plastic Surgery Disasters", and ended with this incredible document of protest rock that actually rocks (which is a rare thing). Like everyone else said, try to track down a used copy. But come on guys, review the actual album, not the packaging. "Soup Is Good Food" and "MTV Get Off the Air" are two of the greatest songs ever. However, the highlight of this album is definatly "Stars and Stripes of Corruption", the most well-written song I have ever laid my ears upon. Make sure to listen to all three albums mentioned in this review (you can skip over "Bedtime For Democracy").
A creative way to fight the power June 29, 2000
Ed Martin (New Jersey)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
The pioneer punk band the Dead Kennedys have never pulled their punches. Frankenchrist exemplifies this more than any other DK album. Lyrically, FC is the most bitingly critical album DK has ever released. The cynical lyrics are matched with a unique musical sound incomparable with any other DK album. Many of the songs are slow, heavy, and technotronic. Guitarist Ray's high pitched notes are supplemented and overlapped with Jello's cynical echoes and caustic lyrics. For the fan who prefers the old Kennedys style, there are some good hooks and fast paced songs that can be recommended such as "Chicken Farm and Stars and Stripes". Probably the most notable song on this album is MTV-get off the air, which is a funny and easily understandable parody of the biggest fraud ever perpetuated by the music industry, the music video "revolution". But my personal favorite is Soup is Good Food, which is a song about turning obsolete factory workers into soup. "We're sorry, hate to interrupt, but its illegal to jump off this bridge. You'll have to go kill yourself somewhere else. A tourist might see you and we don't want that!" Folks, creative social criticism doesn't get any better than that. Like everything Jello Biafra does, this album is a revelation of the "dark shattered underbelly of the American Dream". This final, and ultimately dooming album by the DK's is characterized by the driving force of creativity that formed the band. Something new to replace the old, but the message remains persistant. WE DON'T WANT YOUR DREAMS! Biafra continues to fight the nightmare it has become.
 Very good, but get it from Alternative Tentacles February 11, 2004
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
I'd give this cd 5 stars if it wasn't Manifesto records, but nonetheless, this album was brilliant. When I first picked up the cd, I was pleased, but when I began to really listen to it and the lyrics, I was thrilled. Now, for the songs.
1) Soup is Good Food - This is a good track, not my favorite, but the lyrics are great. 8/10
2) Hellnation - One of my favorites on this album. It's one that you might want to listen to twice in a row. 10/10
3) This could be Anywhere - If I had to say my top song, this would be tied with Chicken Farm. The lyrics are deep and kinda creepy in a way. 10/10
4) A Growing Boy Needs His Lunch - Eh, not the greatest, but not the worst. I don't listen to this song unless I'm too lazy to press the button to skip it. 6/10
5) Chicken Farm - My ABSOLUTE favorite. The lyrics are terrifying, the beat is awesome, and it's something that might get stuck in your head very easily. When I first heard it, I had to listen to it a few times. 10/10
6) Jock O' Rama - Ah, the horrors of high school while being a nerdy suffering artist. This song brought back memories for me, even though I just graduated last year. To all you nerds out there, you might wanna check this out. Being the geek I am, I got a kick out of it. 9/10
7) Goons of Hazard - Not my favorite song, but not the worst. It's skippable, but you should at least listen to it once. The drumming and lyrics are good, however, but it's not their greatest. 7/10
8) MTV get off the Air - Though this is thought to be one of the DK's best songs, I never got into it. Anybody else who is just checking out DK for the first time will want to give this a try and form their own opinions. 7/10
9) At my Job - I didn't like this song. It's my least favorite on the track. A little boring for me. 4/10
10) Stars and Stripes of Corruption - How apt this song is to today's government! Crimity! When I first heard this song, my eyes literally bulged. Reminds me of the world of post 9/11. It's a really good song. When you check it out, pay close attention to the lyrics; you'll see what I mean. 10/10In short, buy this cd, but from Alternative Tentacles. Don't give Manifesto more money to throw on the pile. Jello is the soul behind this music, so do him a favor. Have a good night.
 Stale Cartoons September 18, 2001
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
This is a good album, but before picking it up check to see that it has the alternative tenticles label on it and not MANIFESTO; In 2001, the money-hungry, washed-up members of the group hijacked their catalogue from Jello's label, Alternative Tenticles, and is selling them on Manifesto records - in newly "remastered" format! Wow, the Kennedys have come a long way haven't they? They also put out a really poor best-of live album and are doing a reunion tour - WITHOUT Jello Biafra, they're original lead singer & songwriter. So anyway, you might want to avoid these rereleases of the DK albums, and refrain from contributing to the group's reign of terror. Jello still has the rights to their debut though.
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