Killradio

Killradio: Raised On Whipped CreamRaised On Whipped Cream (2004)
Sony Music Entertainment

Reviewer Rating: 4.5

User Rating:

Contributed by: Dante3000Dante3000
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on September 25th 2005Note: If you don't like bands simply because of their label, please stop reading this now. We won't agree on this point and never will. The first time I ever saw Killradio was when they opened for Henry Rollins. About halfway through their set, lead singer Brandon Jordan climbed to the top of t.

Note: If you don't like bands simply because of their label, please stop reading this now. We won't agree on this point and never will.

The first time I ever saw Killradio was when they opened for Henry Rollins. About halfway through their set, lead singer Brandon Jordan climbed to the top of the stack of amps at the front of the stage and began balancing himself with one hand holding the trademark chandeliers that adorn The Fillmore. Brandon then leapt from the amp plummeting nearly 15 to the stage below. I couldn't help but think, "Wow, this band is awesome, too bad they'll all die in a week." A few months later this feeling increased when, in an interview with the band, Brandon explained that his right hand was wrapped up in a T-shirt (like Heroine Bob) because he had suffered second degree burns from a fire. Later in the interview Brandon told of how their bassist, Dirty, had thrown out his back on several occasions and how they caused a power outage at a show when Brandon accidentally grabbed an uncovered wire. Though I was/am convinced this band can not survive much longer, they did manage to release Raised On Whipped Cream on Columbia Records, and we're all the better for it.

The album is largely a collection of their earlier demo works along with a few new gems. The whole shebang kicks off with Brandon whispering "Do not think that the palace shall be your protection, or that the crown will save your head." From that point on, the album launches into a non-stop assault on everything. The band covers topics that are both political and personal. Tracks like "A.M.E.R.I.K.A." and "Pull Out" highlight the band's highly liberal political stance. Meanwhile, "Burning the Water Brown" and "Where Go We" shine light on the band's personal life, commenting on a friend's heroine addiction and life on the road, respectively. The band also scores a lyrical victory by avoiding the common pitfalls of current political punk. Nowhere on this record is there to be heard "Fuck George Bush" or "No war for oil." Instead, Brandon opts to use strong imagery and social situations ("Scavenger") to comment on the current political climate.

Musically, Killradio showcase their love for of all forms of rock music. Songs like "A.M.E.R.I.K.A." show that the band can rip through the sub-two minute punk track, while the nearly four-minute "Classroom Blues" demonstrates that they have no problem slowing down their message so you can hear it all. The music itself sounds as influenced by funk and dance rock as it does by punk. Though the album is filled with hard-hitting riffs and screams, songs like "Freedom?" would not seem out of place in a dance rock mix. To some this may seem an uneasy balance or even a total contradiction in musical stylings. Killradio, however, pull it off somewhat effortlessly and seem to quite enjoy screaming 'till you're hoarse one minute and dancing the next.

The biggest complaint I have with the album is the mix. While their demos were rough, they also highlighted the immense musical talent in the band, particularly Dirty's amazing bass lines. However, the final product seems to mute a good majority of the bass and guitars. Surprisingly, the most standout instrument upon fist listen is Duke's drumming, and though he is an awesome drummer, it is certainly not what one would look for to be the featured instrument. With a little toying of the knobs on the stereo, an acceptable balance is not too hard to find. Still, to fully understand this band's sound, one must experience their live show.

As a whole, this album is an amazing first effort from a band, which, if they can stay healthy, should put out a lot more phenomenal music. Though many detractors say that any punk band on a major label are sellouts, Killradio works hard to break that prejudice. From the first seconds of the album to the title track where Brandon sings "Whatcha gonna do when they come knocking on your door? Will you really pull that trigger or go run for shelter?," Killradio wants you to know that they aren't the band you listen to in between your My Chemical Romance mix.

MP3s (right click, save as)
A.M.E.R.I.K.A.
Scavenger

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

devianter (October 16, 2010)

what a shame they broke up

BILLrasTweek (September 30, 2005)

There is only a few things that need to be said about this album. ITS A BREATH OF FRESH FUCKING AIR!!!! That is only the tip of the ice burg. This record made me realize that there are still people in this fucking country that give a shit about the rest of us. Killradio is among the most kind and real bands i have ever known. I met them at a local show in PA and have heard of them only months prior. They welcomed me, for the first time from any band for that matter. The fact that somone, who is supposed to be some sort of " punk rock record review person ", could not appreciate what this album means to this bogus and ever dying punk rock scene, makes me utterly disgusted. Killradio - Raised on Whipped Cream is a refreshing idea filled album of intilligence and reality. If you dont agree, you simply just dont believe in it. That is all there is to it. They re-inforce the idea to " Rebel for a reason, not for fashion "

Anonymous (September 30, 2005)

"If you do not love this record you are wrong. "

i havent heard this, but this sentence is "wrong"

there is no way i would read anything you have to say if this is how you start

Anonymous (September 30, 2005)

If you do not love this record you are wrong. The whole album is straightforward and amazing. The major label bullshit is retarted and the only thing it means is that maybe Killradio would get some exposure, but that didn't happen. I don't see how that would be considered "selling out". Every song on this album is infinitely better than most of the shit that's on the radio right now. The reason that most of the songs are "catchy" is so that they'll be accessible to more people. The message of the entire album is something that I would personally love to have permeate the minds of these kids that are watching Greeenday turn their half-assed songs into "political" statements. The bands on mtv and mainstream radio don't have the balls to deliver messages as honest and lyrics as forceful as the ones on "Raised on whipped cream". While all of you squeeze on your nut-hugging pants and bitch about major label sellouts, remember that the Sex Piistols were signed to one. Idiots.

Anonymous (September 30, 2005)

what Hansens back? Ha bet that guy knows a lot about them. I laugh and laugh and laugh. When KillRadio starts fucking the Tv hard,about half of you are going to be crying for a taste. Watch!

rkl (September 28, 2005)

heroine = female hero or protaganist
heroin = drug

movie = SLC Punk, no s.
good movie, btw. shame you dont like it. guess matthew lillard is a bit too "major label" now.

Anonymous (September 27, 2005)

I saw this band with AWS about a year ago...AWS made them look like fucking Hansen

Anonymous (September 26, 2005)

bucket of vomit > Killradio

radioXwaves (September 26, 2005)

I just flat out didnt enjoy this CD. The demos and other things I had heard from them prior to this record were so good. It just seems incredibly overproduced and lacking in energy altogether.

Dante3000 (September 26, 2005)

Assuming you're addressing me, which is logical since you made refference to the review. I've met the band several times. I've only offically interviewed them once, but I've spoken with them easily over a dozen times over a period of more than a year.
So if basing my oppinion of a band (and their label woes) on a pretty long term knowledge of them, including other reviews and interviews and the nearly non-existant press kit I recieved through Columbia is considered short sighted, I can only assume those who know the band must have blown them several times through out their lives.
Like I said, I've only dealt with their managment one time. I've spoken with, and known, the band a great deal longer and better than their managment.
Still I'd like to understand what they were doing to be considered unreasonable, or how they were difficult to work with. Like I said, they pretty much toured non-stop to support the album and took the stage with anyone who would let them share it. Perhaps they were different in their dealings with labels, this I don't know.
-Dante

Anonymous (September 26, 2005)

Basing your entire opinion of a band and their known label woes on a one-time meeting exemplifies why you should stick to writing weak reviews of mediocre CDs.

Dante3000 (September 26, 2005)

Well thank god we have Mr. Anonymous to tell us how it really went down. Now I can't speak about their managment because I only dealt with them one time, and that was in setting up an interview. As for KR, I have a hard time believing they had unreasonable expectations or an unwillingness to do nearly anything. From the time I've known the guys they've been touring nearly non-stop (since before they recorded this album to well after it came out). They also seemed pretty reasonable because they never once mentioned making a living off of music, and when I brought it up (before the album came out) Brandon looked suprised and said, "I don't think that'll happen and I don't care too much. I just really want our album to be able to be heard."
Now there's a chance that's just what he says to people he meets. But in all my dealings with them (though they were limited to hanging out, setting up interviews, and creating shows that feel through [never any offical record business]) they always seemed pretty willing to do anything. But again I can't speak for their managment.
-Dante

Anonymous (September 26, 2005)

These losers got dropped from Columbia months after their CD came out. Their management didn't help matters much thanks to their unwillingness to ever follow through on anything coupled with unreasonable expectations.

Just so the naysayers can shut the fuck up I actually worked this CD through Columbia and know what really happened as opposed to most of the previous posters in the thread. KR were the most unpleasant bunch I've ever wasted time dealing with.

Good riddance.

stevejonestherealbones (September 26, 2005)

Note: I'll stop reading this when i damn well feel like it dante that rhymes with fonte...times new roman

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

- incidentally i stopped reading right after i read that note, but it had nothing to do with that note, i did it cause i wanted to