Jello Biafra's third album of spoken word political invective is looser and funnier than the two that sprang up as a direct result of his mid-'80s obscenity trial. He's clearly regained the sense of absurdity and humor that made the Dead Kennedys more than your average hardcore band. In fact, much of I Blow Minds for a Living is downright hilarious; "Running for Mayor" is half standup routine and half shaggy dog story, detailing his media-baiting run for mayor of San Francisco in 1981 (he placed fourth out of ten candidates) with sly, self-deprecating wit that never quite hides the pointed political agenda at the heart of his campaign. Elsewhere, he rips into chicken hawks (pro-war politicians who conveniently dodged service in Vietnam and elsewhere), censorship, the war on drugs, and other juicy targets, backing up his barbs with thoughtful and cogent political analysis. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide
G**I
Eerily accurate, and highly entertaining!
Brilliant! Eerily accurate predictions as to what "could happen" when he was speaking in 1991. The fact that so much of what he predicted, given certain circumstances, actually came true, this is a wonderfully educational and entertaining piece of history. Yes, I said history. He says it like it is, and the things he talks about have been coming true to an amazing degree. I remember hearing this album back in 1992, when I first got it on tape, and I'm thrilled to have it on CD. So, if you know someone who needs their eyes opened about what's really going on, get them to listen to this album. They'll thank you for it.
A**Z
Although out-dated it's still very informative
Many issues are not current, but still very informative. It makes you wonder what the 'elite' class is getting away with now. Definitely recommend.
E**E
Classic Biafra
I could listen to this all day long. Biafra is a little high strung but he does get his point across.
M**8
Biting Commentary from the High priest of Harmful Matter
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.
L**K
Timeless
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.
S**M
Biafra is a knowledgable and talented speaker.
Jello Biafra proclaims the obscured truth on this well-performed spoken word. Agree with him or disagree with him, just think. Jello is a perfect mix of passion and reason. I loved this album, and i only wish i knew what he thought about all the nonsense AmeriKa and Klinton are doing in Kosovo.
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