Track Listing

1. Government Flu
2. Terminal Preppie
3. Trust Your Mechanic
4. Well Paid Scientist
5. Buzzbomb
6. Forest Fire
7. Halloween
8. Winnebago Warrior
9. Riot
10. Bleed For Me
11. I Am The Owl
12. Dead End
13. Moon Over Marin
14. Religious Vomit
15. Moral Majority
16. Hyperactive Child
17. Kepone Factory
18. Dog Bite
19. We've Got A Bigger Problem Now
20. Nazi Punks Fuck Off
21. Rawhide

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8946 in Music
• Released on: 2001-02-26
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .26 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
"Too smart to be punks. Not smart enough to be anything else." Probably the truest thing ever said of this band--who, for a time in the early 1980s, represented to a quivering Middle America everything that was sick, seditious and unholy about punk rock. Singer Jello Biafra almost instinctively recognised the wisdom of marrying leftist radicalism with overdriven guitars--that, yes, the medium would swamp the message, but it would also empower it. Ultimately, however, the band were undone by the limitations of their format. Considered song-by-song--and there are 21 of them here, ranging from the compelling ("Buzzbomb", "Forest Fire") to the truly abysmal ("Religious Vomit")--their sound was too abrasive, and their pace too unvarying, to ever extend the limits of the form. And while certain sentiments remain valid--"Nazi Punks Fuck Off" is as noble (and as necessary) a gesture today as it was back then--it fell to a later generation (Black Flag, Minor Threat, Hüsker Dü) to bring actual songcraft to hardcore. --Andrew McGuire

CD Description
The epic sweep of PLASTIC SURGERY DISASTERS, in both sonic texture and thematic depth, sets it apart as one of punk's most highly evolved musical and artistic statements. VocalistJello Biafra's rage had developed into a calmer but more strident kind of anger. Fortified by a wider variety of sounds, including horns, clarinets, and East Bay Ray's rich palette of aggressive guitar textures, this album attacked the usual DK targets.
Our bloated, mentally lazy consumer culture is lambasted in the thick, intimidating "Buzzbomb" and thestingingly sarcastic "Winnebago Warrior". Several of society's more insidious archetypes are taken on as well, as in the goofy "Terminal Preppie", and the furious, adrenaline-fueled "Well Paid Scientist". Firmly in place are Biafra's trademark paranoid anti-government diatribes; society's false sense of security is addressed in the breakneck-speed rant of "Government Flu", the far-reaching metaphor of "Trust Your Mechanic", and the angry theatrics of "I Am The Owl".

Customer Reviews

DKs Best Album
I thought after damning one 'classic punk album' I'd priase another. This album is certainly the best punk album i have ever heard. While typically Fresh Fruit earns the title of Best DKs album, it is not as consistent and characteristic of both the dead kennedys sound nor Biafra's attitude. This is where we see Jello bring in concepts and theories into his lyircs ('Trust your mechanic' about how various occupations in society try to feed off you, and 'Halloween' talking about how we suppress our personalities to have a comfortable life, amongst others). The other adavantage is that the album is far better in terms of production, really highlighting the aggression and anger that comes with this album. Furthermore, Peligro is behind the drum kit and is, quite frankly, brilliant. Also, the EP is the most aggressive stuff the band ever did, far closer to agreesive hardcore. 'Nazi Punks' and 'Hyperactive Child' fly by in a crazy wave and 'We've Got An Even Bigger Problem Now' is a brilliant take on 'California Uber Alles' with the benefit of hindsight (Reagan instead of Brown).

They were the greatest punk band and all of the Kennedys' albums are great and worth buying but this is their best overall, even if it doesn't have their well-known classics.

Not simply one of the greatest punk albums of all time
PLASTIC SURGERY DISASTERS (1982)

A time machine for the socially or politically aware, Plastic Surgery Disasters isn't as glib as its name suggests. Its lyrics are thoughtful, and sung with as much feeling as a Céline Dion ballad but a 1000 times the sincerity....

In pure musical terms the guitar work of East Bay Ray and Klaus Fluoride are as tight as they were on ‘Fresh Fruit’ with a sound a little like surf tune guitar and jazz bass on speed. Yet the effect is impressive – uniquely so. The riffs are furious, the major minor changes are perfect and the drumming is crisp. These guys know how to carry a tune.

Plastic Surgery Disasters is nearly 20 years old – can that be right? This album seems to defy age. ‘I am the Owl’ and ‘Riot’ make as much sense now as they did then, or will tomorrow or in another 20 years. ‘Moon over Marin’ and ‘Well Paid Scientist’ still as insightful and intelligent.

If you think Green Day are the last word in Punk, or that Pink Floyd have the monopoly on timeless classics listen to Plastic Surgery Disasters. Not simply one of the greatest punk albums of all time, but surely one of the greatest albums of all time.

TJR

In Jello We Trust
The Kennedys followed the clown antics of their debut with the far superior 'Plastic Surgery Disasters' which remains, to my mind, their greatest album, retaining much of their furious energy and anger as well as a dash of humour.

'Plastic Surgery' demonstrates an increasing maturity and a willingness to experiment that makes for a varied feast, from the slow and sinister 'I am the Owl' to the adrenalin rush of 'Well Paid Scientist'. East Bay Ray's trademark disquieting, demented guitar provides the perfect accompaniment to Biafra's paranoid vocals, making for one of the finest products of the post-punk era.

The inclusion of the earlier 'In God We Trust' EP makes this collection excellent value for money and a good history lesson for young upstarts. Its lyrical and musical maturity also makes it a fantastic nostalgia trip for older punks like me.

Like many other reviewers I find it's as relevant now as it ever was - I'm 38 now and I still find myself mouthing the words to 'Well Paid Scientist' as I gaze vacantly into the bathroom mirror each morning and sneer knowingly with the words to 'Halloween' in mind every time I see a bunch of office workers in 'whacky' fancy dress.

Punk may be no religious cult, but if Jesus came back today, I swear he'd be knocking on Jello's door asking to form a band.