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The Dead Kennedys were known for going there, and of course Ozzy was doing his theatrical bit with crucifixes and implied "Satanic" overtones. There aren't explicit lyrics on it, in fact the only thing the band sings is the title phrase, the rest of the track is made up of sound bites and movie dialogue. Bands who were bold enough to so clearly mock organized religion were few and far between. Obviously it wasn't meant to be taken as seriously as some people did, which is the point. In the late 80s, some things were indeed still sacred, and MLWTTKK was out to defy them.
"Shock of Point 6" is extremely dark and mixes up a dirge-like atmosphere with samples of a fundamentalist preacher. "First Cut" is simply an earlier version of "Devil Does". "Kooler Than Jesus" was really only blasphemous in its title. "Nervous Xians", the flip side of "Devil Does", is an extra long club track that features even more drug girl samples.The remaining three tracks, "First Cut", "Shock of Point 6", and "Resisting the Spirit", comprise the band's debut EP, which was supposedly created as the soundtrack for a film they never made. It was a great moment for fans of theatrical music of all types. It was this version that was the most well known, and countless DJs and producers made use of the track's notorious "drug girl" samples (cleverly isolated at the end of the track, maximizing sample potential). It was them and, to a lesser degree Ministry, who were inspired to take disco music and dress it up with blasphemy. "Devil Bunnies", the original single's flip side, revels in the imagery of 60s era sexploitation films."The Devil Does Drugs" is a remix of "And This Is What The Devil Does" from the band's 1988 debut album.
In today's post-Marilyn Manson age, it's sometimes hard for younger people to understand why stuff like this was so scandalous back in the day. But it's got a killer groove. Closer examination of the lyrics seem to suggest that the song is actually about physics instead of Lucifer, but honestly, does it matter.This disc also contains the original artwork from all three singles, and that's always been part of the reason for TKK's appeal. TKK wasn't the first or even the most scandalous band to do it, but "Kooler Than Jesus", which collects three of their early EPs, is a good example of how they were among the first to do it with club music and electronica. Personally I prefer Thrill Kill Kult's take on it because of their kitschy approach.
"The Devil Does Drugs" follows that up quite nicely, once again incorporating a lot of looped clips with an undercoating of electronic beats. I like the ethereal sound at the beginning, with the almost cultish vocals and eerie background music mixing with a gently strummed guitar. The vocal distortion changes up nicely, too, worming its way into a song clocking in at over seven minutes and accenting the mostly clip-motivated song. The mainstay of the theme, the playgrounds of the flesh, translates well on any occasion and still works out when I go through the motions of that beat. Kooler Than Jesus is a little taste of quite a few themes, and its quite an entertaining piece of work to boot. My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult has moved through quite a few types of music while on their way toward becoming "the most dangerous cult in America." From that early taste of the electronica/ industrial that would one day help reshape the way we view machines to music of an odder, more theme-oriented place of residents, they've managed to grow and become something that is, quite simply, entertaining. I've personally liked the way nothing is sacred to them and the way they come down on just about any subject they want to, from drugs and delusion to the observations birthed under the cross. Anytime I hear the name of the song, I automatically have a auditory flashback to "I am the electric messiah, the AC/DC God." Then there's "Devil Bunnies," changing pace and reflecting back to a time before me that births images of people with slicked hair settling things with knives.
And it does so by combining distortion in the lyrics, female vocals on top of those, and a beat that moves along at a nice pace. It is a pretty solid piece as well, falling into the definite "keeper" class as far as My Life hits, and is still nice to return to.While the beats are old and the music is a bit aged (especially looking back), Kooler Than Jesus is actually a fun album and is pretty nice when it all comes down. The beat of this is quite aged, for sure, but its still nice to listen to and I always enjoy the propaganda sung into the songs exclaiming, "My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult." Besides, the satanic ritual movie clips mixed into it work pretty nice. Some of the album, five of the seven songs, were actually released before on "Some Have to Dance Some Have to Kill" and on "My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult," but this is still a nice addition to have around if you have them and nice if you don't. While this might seem a little old at first, the message could easily be translated onto the backs of today's mouthpieces as well, with a little "bow down, now give me everything." And, lastly, "Resisting the Spirit" concludes the album, brining in an interesting mix of beats. I like it, too, from the loops used in the song to the introductory snapping setting the mood. "Shock at Point 6" is pretty funny when I think back on the time and the televangelists of the moment, knowing some of the things they went through during them. Much of what they've done, especially in those early days, is golden.
Next is "First Cut," a dark sonnet mixing in some sounds from the last song on top of some rather dark vocals. From the sound clip starting the song off with a "reality is the only word in the language that should always be used in quotes" bang to the lyrical content that "infects your carnal mind," it expresses such a positively charged message. It kicks off with "Kooler Than Jesus," with a nice beat reminiscent of the late 80s/early 90s and a few coal loops that are quite entrancing. Next is "Nervous Xians," possibly one of my favorite songs done by My Life (and known, albeit at a different speed, from the movie The Crow), with so many pieces coming together in such a direct manner.
"I see good spirits, and I see bad spirits", and "Confessions of a knife" are most like this, and both better overall. Though "Sexplosion" and "13 above the night" are both excellent as well. In short, this is a great 7 track techno/industrial album, with lots of good samples. After these three albums, TKK go from a darker, to more dancy sound. Whichever TKK cd you choose, including this one, you'll be kooler for it. But, I would recommend this to the TKK fanatic mostly. As good as it is, I would start another place if looking for your first TKK disc.
All the songs have crazy movie samples. For those who like TKK's later stuff give this a try too. TKK has gone through quite a change since their early days. If you like Front 242 I know you'll love this. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Personally I stopped listening to them after Sexplosion (a bit too cheesy for my tastes) and I have to rank this at the top. The title track is my favorite, but I think the whole CD is top notch.
if not , check out the samples. There are only 7 songs on here but every song clocks in at no less than 4 and a half minutes. If you are an industrial dance fan and like Wax Trax releases I suggest you buy this classic right away. This album contains the second best TKK song SHOCK OF POINT 6. This album is 2 new songs, an unreleased song, a remix, and TKK's 3 first recordings originally on MY LIFE WITH THE THRILL KILL KULT. If you are a TKK fan BUY IT NOW.
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