Green Jellö - Cereal Killer Soundtrack (90's Era)

Green Jellö - The Cereal Killer Soundtrack March 5th, 1993 Zoo Entertainment

Green Jellö was odd. I was aware of GWAR and the silliness that band used, but Green Jellö were something completely different. At that time I hadn't quite mastered or understood what Arthouse meant, because when I was starting out in the music world so many flavors, points of view, cultural attitudes, and vibes were clamoring for my attention (as it were).

My exposure was via MTV and Headbangers Ball hosted then by Ricki Rachtman with the video Three Little Pigs. I would later learn via a personal acquaintance Green Jellö had put out a music video of the songs which would eventually be released on CD, LP, and Cassette. The whole thing was played in a avante garde theater, with a dusting of kabuki for dramatic flair. 

Some of the material is very crude, over the top, extremely amateur, and very much silly, but the context is extremely blatant if one is paying close attention. Sometimes it can be a bit of a blunt force trauma, but I think it works on the social construction and stigma during that period.

It is my personal opinion that this work straddles a kind of rough, extreme low budget stratus, but the message I feel is always front and center.

This was their first official record release by a major label, whereas I will count this to be their third release as they were doing this form since the early 80's. 

I think Green Jellö play to the familiarity with catchy 70ish riffs, and a sprinkling of a few original numbers. Yes the songs are plain ridiculous, songtitles like The Misadventures of Shitman, or House Me Teenage Rave to name a couple. 

Nothing about The Cereal Killer Soundtrack push any new areas, only that this record came out during a period of change, and I think they hit it hard considering. Yet I've wondered if they really ever got over the hump.

Any success they did have was short lived because of a lawsuit or trademark infringement, something I haven't been clear on with the details, as what is out there is sketchy. 

What happened to the band was a forced name change from Green Jellö to Green Jellÿ, and I feel they never recuperated from this setback.

If you want to see something pretty strange, from a time that is now twenty plus years, I highly encourage you to invest a little time and check out their Youtube channel. Thanks for reading.

B.

Mötley Crüe - Mötley Crüe (90's Era)

Mötley Crüe - Mötley Crüe  March 15th 1994

Seeing that Mötley Crüe is going to hang it up after thirty plus years, I figured on talking about one record that I think stands out from the entire career of the band.

On March 15th 1994, I picked up Mötley Crüe self titled not knowing what was in store. Since I was very aware of the publicized falling out of the band's first singer Vince Neil, and his solo record Exposed, this was going to either work or completely fail.

First impressions was holy shit (besides the obvious), the monster heavy guitar tone, and groovier drums. The mixing, and the production of this record hit me at the right time. Coming out of the darkness (if I can call it that), this album solidified what rock was before it cratered into obscurity in the years since.

Every song on this album I've listened to a few hundred times. I believe has a flow, with a few minor annoyances with the obligatory 'ballads', I feel this record really did come out and surprised me.

Because the record was different, but in adding another dimension of another guitar player (Corabi). If there was one aspect I missed out on it was the Quaternary EP. I didn't have enough to cover the cost.

Otherwise, I prefer this record because (as with my Fight post) this is a fresh experience that doesn't spoil or induce the baggage of prior knowledge. Though members Mick Mars, Tommy Lee, and Nikki Sixx are still present, infusing John Corabi pushes them into having copious amounts of attitude.

The record was hated by almost everyone, partly because of the change of the times (alternative, and grunge). Mötley Crüe tried something different, with a kind of honesty, and truth that ended up being tossed aside for Vince Neil's return. Lastly, I really do despise Bob Rock at this stage, but he really did make a special pocket of time that I still listen to today.

Though I admit I stopped listening to this record a year after, kind of putting it on the shelf as it were, in recent years I've come back to, and I'm pleasantly happy that it still holds up. For what its worth, I love the hell out of the bluesy crunch this record has. Damn cool. Thanks for reading.

B.