Green Jello Sucks.

Back in high school my friend Greg brought in a video tape of the worlds first video only band, Green Jello. The videos were crude, yet entertaining, especially to a teenage boy. The songs were actually quite good too. Green Jello eventually were forced to release a CD and the "Cereal Killer Soundtrack" was born thus making the band a bunch of guys with no talent AND liars.

I had made a tape of my friends CD which I used for years. The band had been sued by Kraft because of trademark infringement and the band was forced to change their name to Green Jelly with an accent over the Y giving it a long O sound. I though the lawsuit was absurd and refused to buy the album under the Green Jelly moniker. However, after a dozen years later I found a used copy of Green Jello's "Cereal Killer Soundtrack". Score!

This also meant I had a copy of the song "Electric, Harley House Of Love" with the Metallica spoofed solo and riff that was later removed due another lawsuit from Metallica's management.

Joke albums can be tricky and often have a shortened shelf life due to dated material. "Cereal Killer Soundtrack" has aged surprisingly well. Maybe it's nostalgia, but I still enjoy the music very much today as I did way back in high school. The videos not so much.

Kicking off with "Obey The Cowgod" one of my favourite songs here, is a fist pumping punk heavy tune. It's funny and catchy. "Three Little Pigs" is their breakthrough single thanks in part to the video and unexpected radio airplay. It's a mid-paced heavy retelling of the fable of the same name. It's silly, but performed with conviction. The title track is my favourite song on this album. "Cereal Killer" is dark and heavy, bringing out serious sinister-ness in some of our favourite breakfast cereal characters. Add to that the killer riffs and powerful vocal performance and this is one seriously killer tune.

"Rock N Roll Pumpkin" is a wailing rock song with wicked riffs and killer solos. "Anarchy In Bedrock" is a wacky parody of the Sex Pistols hit and "Electric Harley House (Of Love)" is a parody of rock and metal in general. With a classic Kiss sound the band rips through rock cliches and a sweet rip off of Metallica's "Enter Sandman" which they openly admit in the song and yet were still sued.

"Trippin' On XTC" is a funk infused tune that has a darkly trippy breakdown and heavy outro. "Misadventures Of Shitman" is a silly song. It is also super catchy with some nice riffwork. "House Me Teenage Rave" is a dancy, techno trip with cheesy porno like dialogue mixed with an industrial flavour in the chorus.

"Flight Of The Skajaquada" is dark, eerie piece with an intro that would make Vincent Price proud. and the album closer "Green Jello Theme Song" is a rousing anthem of self mockery with a sing a long lyrics ~ Green Jello Sucks! ~ A fun ending to an overall enjoyable collection of comic songs.

I missed a chance to see Green Jello live last summer on their reunion tour. Ah well, I at least found a copy of "Cereal Killer" with the Green Jello cover and that's fine with me.

Up next I'll take a look at their follow-up "333".