Search - Flipper :: Sex Bomb Baby

Hardly a Generic Anthology

busotti | 05/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the early 80's much of the punk/alternative rock underground was stuck in a rut chasing a goal of trying to be louder, faster and more Hard-Core than the next band's uninspired irreverence. Flapping the bird to any such notion, Flipper concocted a sludgy, slowed down, damaged noise rock that was nonetheless still fun, a lesson forgotten by many bands that came later. The bass often carries the melody while the guitars churn out a noisy, earwax-melting underbelly for Will Shatter's, er, "singing".



This collection gathers the classic early singles and rarities that presaged the band's debut LP, "Generic". A perfect distillation of the various sides of Flipper, you lap up the original 7'' mantra of "Sex Bomb", the noisy falling apart live groove of "Ever", a completely f***ed and over the top reading of "The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly ", dadaist hardcore--if there is such a thing--("Brainwashed"), and the live take of "Sacrifice", one of the most world-destroying things recorded in the entire punk/post-punk era.



This collection is every bit the equal of their celebrated "Generic" album, perhaps even more important as shows their lighter side. Flipper's underrated second record, "Gone Fishin'", has finally made it to CD, and its unusually structured songs and unconventional instruments (clavinet on a punk record!) demonstrate how singular and far ahead Flipper truly were.



For those wondering what the hell I've been talking about, you can bet that Nirvana adsorbed Flipper, who later paid back the nod by covering "Scentless Apprentice". Kurt Cobain even used to make his own Flipper T-Shirts. Hell, Krist Novoselic later joined the 2000's version of Flipper. Now THAT is some kind of ****ing karma!



P.S. Don't pay collector prices, the Flipper catalog is coming back in print in 2008 to accompany a new record."

Classic

PSM/Bokor | United States | 01/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I almost gave this a four star rating because "Sex Bomb" is horribly cut off before it's over. But, I must overlook that glaring, brutal moment.



I drank a few beers and forgave them. And, I drank a few more and embraced the rest of the CD.



This is an excellent collection of Flipper tunes. I love what was done with "Brainwash." I cherish every six minutes of that piece of repetition. "The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly" just summarizes the band. It's just down right beautiful. "Isn't it sinsister to swallow a minister?"



Overall, some of the live performances just bring a smile to my battered face. This is punk/anti-punk-if there was every any anti-punk.



"Flipper" is a F-YOU band. I've said it before, and I say it again, you get it or you don't. This is great sh--."

Flipper? YEAH! ! !

gregZ | Wildomar, CA | 12/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Some albums get labeled "essential". So you buy them and wonder what the reviewer was doing describing that album as "essential". Okay, if you are into old school punk, want something different that will grow into one of those albums that you are going to play for every new friend as a way to find out if they are cool; Flipper's "Sex Bomb Baby" is an essential purchase."