JELLO BIAFRA AND THE GUANTANAMO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE – “Enhanced Methods of Questioning” EP
I’ve
wanted to get to review mode on this for a while but had to wait while going through the inevitable backlog that happens when
doing print; but now’s the chance. The latest from Jello and company is a sonic kick in the face that’s
a hybrid of punk rock with elements of hard driving psychedelic music and space rock built on in your face guitar tones and
a delivery that’s almost too intense for heavy music at times. With songs about gentrification (especially in
San Francisco), the (mis)treatment of war veterans, religion, and the like, the band offers up sonic tales and thoughts pretty
much ignored within the mainstream media and their corporate masters (in America, at least). The digital version (and
free download on the vinyl) has a bonus track setting combining a couple of Mick Farren and the Deviants jams with a Biafra
stream of consciousness rant (something that makes it debatable over whether this is an EP or an LP). Once again Jello
Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine unleash a jaw dropping record that more people should hear. This is yet
more proof that maturing as an artist doesn’t have to mean mellowing out. (BOONE)
(Alternative
Tentacles Records. P.O. Box 419092. San Francisco, CA 94141-9092. alternativetentacles.com)
