King Missile

Tracks:

Intro
Sink
Martin Scorsese
(Why Are We) Trapped?
It's Saturday
VvV (VulvaVoid)
Metanoia
Detachable Penis
Take Me Home
Ed
Anywhere
The Evil Children
Glass
And
King Murdock
I'm Sorry
Heaven
Happy Hour

Customer Reviews:

Great album, but my booklet is missing songs.......2006-12-20

I've been a King Missile fan since the early 90's(Sensitive Artist & Detachable Penis are my personal favorites). I took advantage of a sale recently to buy this cd that I hadn't heard in a while.

Their lyrics are so amusing that I looked forward to reading along while listening. However, upon purchase of this cd I was dismayed to find that my booklet-insert was missing some pages & had some dupblicates (Im missing songs 3-6) but have duplicate pages for (#s 6-8 & 16 & 17).

I assume this was not deliberate but is just an accident due to shoddy assemblage.

"it happens a lot, it's detachable...".......2006-05-14

King Missile were at their best when they managed to match John H Hall's offbeat poetry Lyrics to a keen edged musical palate. "Happy Hour" was the album that did most consistently ("The Way To Salvation" comes real close), but also had the honor of containing the classic "Detachable Penis." "DP" got them on radio morning shows all over the country and made it look like mainstream success might be looming for King Missile.

But frankly, their beat-poet songs and Frank Zappa styled musical ranting probably doomed them to their beloved cult. Hall's drift into MTV-Poetry slams probably didn't help - as the band was then wedged into the arty school of rock category. But that was probably not a loss to us that loved the band from early on. And it makes "Happy Hour" insanity like Hall's over-the-top tribute to "Martin Scorsese" and the crazed "Take Me Home" or "Ed" all the more entertaining. You also will get a "DP" styled chuckle out of "The Evil Children" or the off-the-cuff poke at U2 at the end of "Metanioa." "Happy Hour" was also a musical potpourri of style: the jazzy drumming of Roger Murdock and the cool keyboards of Chris Xefos -- who I always considered King Missile's secret weapon -- made "Happy Hour" a feast for rock music buffs.

They may not be for everyone (and I saw them play to a Nashville audience so small that Hall stopped the show and gave the audience free sodas from the band's backstage stash, and then Chris Xefos joined some friends and me to bar-hop), but if you own only one King Missile album, then "Happy Hour" is the greatest collection of the band's strengths.

hum!.......2005-07-21

Some uninvited guests have stepped in my bubble through this public domain. Don't like it!!

I'll dedicate song 8 to them and if they find something nice in it, then they must be a sick puppies.

Sarcasm

Best Ever!.......2002-11-14

Detachable Penis! Have you seen my Penis? How can you not love this song! King Missile rocks my socks!

A GREAT ALBUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2002-05-10

KING MISSILE really topped themselves with HAPPY HOUR, which
is also one of my favorite albums of the 90's! JOHN S. HALL was
always a brilliant lyricist, or poet and he came up with some
of his best lyrics for this, and some of his funniest, especially
on I'M SORRY and DETACHABLE PE..... What also makes this album
a masterpiece is the music itself, which, for KING MISSILE, had
never been so strong. Musically, they combine 90s grunge rock
with 70's prog rock and hard rock. The musical star of this al-
bum is ROGER MURDOCK, whose adventurous and heavy jazz rock
drumming is all over this album. On IT'S SATURDAY, MURDOCK
improvises a wild and crazy drum solo, over which JOHN S HALL
recites some a very funny poem. There is such a variety in the
songs, from the very heavy AND, which has some pretty disgusting
sound effects, to the very laid back HEAVEN to the dirge-like,
almost church hymn like HAPPY HOUR, which is the most serious
song HALL and company have ever written and is also my favorite
KING MISSILE song of all time. I can't understand HALL'S lyrics,
but for some reason, they strike a minor chord in me and his
singing for this song is his most emotional ever. WHAT A SONG!!
I can't recommend thsi album enough, really!

Average customer rating:

It's okay, but there are no clowns...
Never believe music critics...
In the begining, there was John
In the begining, there was John

King Missile
King Missile
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Happy Hour
The Way to Salvation
Failure
The Psychopathology of Everyday Life
Royal Lunch

ASIN: B000002IYK
Release Date: 1994-04-19

Tracks:

Love Is...
What If
Let's Have Sex
Pigs Will Fly
These People
Open Up
Wind-Up Toys
Delores
Tounge
Dishwasher
Socks
Bloodletting
Lies
Commercial
King David's Dirge
Psalm
Happy Note

Amazon.com

King Missle has never grown much beyond its original premise: Presenting John S. Hall's offbeat poems over the shifting musical background constructed by a trio of veteran New York art-rockers. The group's self-titled sixth album tries to turn these music-and-poetry set pieces into more conventional songs, and the monotone Hall even tries to sing on "What If" and "Pigs Will Fly." But ultimately, the focus is on the words, and even if you enjoy them (which I do), King Missile albums are like other comedy recordings: After a listen or two, you file them away and forget about them. --Jim DeRogatis

Customer Reviews:

It's okay, but there are no clowns..........2004-11-03

I think King Missile's previous album "Happy Hour" was their crowning achievement and both John S. Hall and King Missile have never been able to follow it up. Though I find this album to be disappointing, it's not a complete failure. I'd say at least four or five songs are absolutely wonderful, while the rest of it is not quite on par with any of King Missile's previous material.

On the downside, Daniel Rey's production is a bit too raw, scratchy and grungy and it doesn't suit K.M.'s music very well. Secondly, it is a very dark album...Hall isn't as funny and clever as he used to be and his lyrics have gotten a bit more depressing. Half of his jokes fall flat. Thirdly, there is not as much variety in the material as before, with a bit too much emphasis on dirty, grungy guitars. And...last but certainly not least....the band don't sound like they are having much fun this time around.

That being said, there is still some great material here. "What If?" has a driving bass line that reminds me of The Go-Go's "We Got The Beat". It's one of the catchier and funnier tunes on the album, with Hall asking that if he wished he were a tree and became one, could he wish himself back? An interesting idea...I've thought about that many times myself! "Open Up" may be the most commercial sounding track here, but I like it anyway and find it to be a very enjoyable and melodic little pop song...and I like the fact that Hall actually SINGS on it. "Dishwasher" reminds me of Led Zeppelin..at least musically and I love the lyrics, which deal with a potential shoplifter who is a dishwasher. It's one of Hall's better monologues on the album. I am also very fond of "Hymn", which is the most serious track here and one of the more musical songs on the album. It reminds me a tad of "Happy Hour". I love the singing on it and I like the electric guitar line and the organ. Nice tune!

"Socks" starts off promising enough, with Hall ranting and raving about all the socks he has, but the song peters out about halfway through. Again, I'm not too fond of some of the louder and more grungy songs on the album. The album cover is slightly amusing, but couldn't they have come up with a more imaginative album title instead of having it self-titled? I may sound like I'm nit picking here and I probably am, but I just don't think this album measures up to the ones before it. I do have to admit that I prefer it over all the albums Hall would do with King Missile 3, however...

Never believe music critics..........2002-09-15

I guess I must be in a minuscule un-intellectual minority, since I have never managed to file away this "comedy" CD after two spins through my CD player as Mr. DeRogatis suggests. Rather than dismissing this CD as another "comedy" album, I would point out John Hall's humor is more satire than comedy. Who knows...perhaps the aforementioned critic missed the literature class where the Professor explained the difference between the two genres. No matter really. Being a stubborn Irish sort that appreciates satire (O! Jonathan Swift!) I'll keep listening to the CD. Give it a try and prove yet another music critic wrong.

In the begining, there was John.......2001-08-24

This album is great, especilly liked pig will fly, and the dishwaser. This is how it all started. If you're intrested enough to see where it all began. And remember, 'Love is butiful, like birds that sing. Love is not ugly, like rats, in a puddle of vomit.' Two thumbs way up!

In the begining, there was John.......2001-08-24

Average customer rating:

This is it!

Mystical Shit/Fluting on the Hump
King Missile
Manufacturer: Instinct Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Happy Hour
The Psychopathology of Everyday Life
Royal Lunch
Failure
King Missile

ASIN: B0002T2QPQ
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Tracks:

Title Track
Rock-N-Roll Will Never Die
No Point
Gary & Melissa
Frightened & Freezing
How to Remember Your Dreams
Fish That Played the Ponies
Jesus Was Way Cool
Open
Sandbox
Neitherworld
She Didn't Want
Cheesecake Truck
Equlvalencies
Love You More
Fourthly
Lou
At Dave's
Muffy
Take Stuff from Work
Sensitive Artist
Wuss
Heavy Holy Man
Fluting on the Hump
Dick
That Old Dog

Customer Reviews:

This is it!.......2007-07-13

As always, king missile is wildly innovative with their musical compositions. As F.Z. asks in his famous question, "Does humor belong in music?", I say - it worked for him, and it works for king missile! Any king missile fan needs to own all of their albums, this one included.

Average customer rating:

Must have for CD Collection
So funny I nearly died...
different is good
Down right fun!

Mystical Shit & Fluting on the Hump
King Missile
Manufacturer: Shimmy Disc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Happy Hour
The Way to Salvation
The Psychopathology of Everyday Life
Royal Lunch
King Missile

ASIN: B00000I072
Release Date: 1999-02-16

Tracks:

Mistycal Shit: Title Track
Mistycal Shit Rock-N-Roll Will Never Die
Mistycal Shit No Point
Mistycal Shit Gary & Melissa
Mistycal Shit Frightened & Freezing
Mistycal Shit How To Remember Your Dreams
Mistycal Shit The Fish That Played The Ponies
Mistycal Shit Jesus Was Way Cool
Mistycal Shit Open
Mistycal Shit The Sandbox
Mistycal Shit The Neither World
Mistycal Shit She Didn't Want
Mistycal Shit Cheesecake Truck
Mistycal Shit Equivalencies
Mistycal Shit Love You More
Mistycal Shit Fourthly
Fluting On The Hump Lou
Fluting On The Hump At Dave's
Fluting On The Hump Muffy
Fluting On The Hump Take Stuff From Work
Fluting On The Hump Sensitive Artist
Fluting On The Hump Wuss
Fluting On The Hump Heavy Holy Man
Fluting On The Hump Fluting On The Hump
Fluting On The Hump Dick
Fluting On The Hump That Old Dog

Album Description

Customer Reviews:

Must have for CD Collection.......2000-01-28

The best way to describe this album is that people who I have played it to once, still talk about it 9 years on

So funny I nearly died..........1999-10-12

I have found I can't listen to this in the car because I start laughing so hard I'm in danger of crashing! It is the funniest thing...plus, the music is generally good, if a bit strange (like the guitar/sax combo on "Take Stuff From Work"). But the musicians on this album have totally found their niche. It's original and it's totally entertaining.I love it, you might too.

different is good.......1999-09-15

Wow. I got on-line radio for the first time and the first song I heard was "Jesus Was Way Cool." I thought to myself, "self, I guess there's more out there in Radioville than just Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears. This stuff is great."

Yes. This stuff is great.

Down right fun!.......1999-05-08

this album has so many great songs, from "jesus was way cool" to "wuss", i thought it was a wonderful album, through and through. If you like the quirkiness and fun of bands like They Might Be Giants, i think you'll find this pleasantly refreshing.

Average customer rating:

Prolly the best album!
An Objective Music Review
Dissent is Patriotic
You're probably not going to like this CD...

The Psychopathology of Everyday Life
King Missile
Manufacturer: Instinct Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Royal Lunch
Happy Hour
Mystical Shit/Fluting on the Hump
Failure
King Missile

ASIN: B00007JGP8
Release Date: 2003-01-21

Tracks:

My Father
Pain Series (1): Hot Coffee
Damned If I Know
JLH
Pain Series (2): Hammer Thumb
The President
The Miracle Of Childbirth
Chickens
Pain Series (3): Paper Cut
Domestic Life
Ennui
Eating People
Pain Series (4): Cold Pool
Hamsters
Give Me A Dollar
Pain Series (5): Stomach Cramps
Jim
Jesus Was Way Cool (Millenium Edition)

Album Description

Full title - The Psychopathology of Everyday Life. One of the most daring and funny alternative rock ensembles returns! The madmen who brought us such classics as 'Sensitive Artist', 'Wuss', 'Jesus Was Way Cool' & 'Detachable Penis' return. Now check out 'Jennifer Love Hewitt' (JLH), 'The Miracle of Childbirth', 'Hamsters' and 'Eating People'. Instinct. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

Prolly the best album!.......2007-03-09

His father began the Hare KRSNA Movement, and was the 1st white to play on an all black baseball team back when segregation was...

...more apparent.

Then there is the thank you song to JLH for keeping her mouth closed during this whole 911 ordeal, which is true, how often do you find a celeb that can't help but vomit out dumb non-sence every time the media is ready to hype something up, such as the North Woods ordeal in NY.

Oh and the song about how he can't believe how no one who has gotten within X amount of feet from the prez, has not killed him yet! Who hasn't wondered that? Then again why are people so blind as to not realize that the Democratic party slays innocents too! If we'd not been so distracted by Clinton's Playmate, we'd prolly be more concious of Kosovo and all the deaths that Clinton signed for over there!!! Or how aboot Waco, if we were a "little" bit smarter, we'd know better than to trust the television on that sad sad story! Or how about all the rights that were signed away during Clinton's term? It's two faces to the same beast yet no one gets that! Heck no one understands that the Federal Reserve is a private bank to which we are literally slaves!
So it's no wonder no one tries to kill the prez, and it's no wonder that no one realizes that he's just a figure head and that wouldn't do a bit of good anyhow! We really need to burn the members of BILDERBERG if we are going to kill anyone. And of course turn the money system back over to the people, and remove all amendments that really only work for the world of commerce and not so much "the people." ;)

Tis a shame KM is no more...

...with this album, I thought the comedy was at last taking a good solid direction, as opposed to being merely silly! :)

An Objective Music Review.......2003-07-27

This review is painstakingly hard to write. Being a long time fan of John's work, I feel a inner betrayel to write this. The album takes a step backwards in the King Missile chain. John has grown up, taken a regular job, and lets loose with his inner child once in a while. This is that album. Long gone are the witty stories and subtle offbeat songs. The singing is gone, not that I mind a bit of spoken word, but I certainly miss it. The objective seems to be to shock the listener and shock the listener alone. Its a shallow album, and easily forgettable because he's done most of this before. But not all of it is bad, Eating People is a really good track. I doubt this review will reach any new listeners of King Missile, so if you enjoy old King Missile this may be the time for your departure of this band, or like me you can realize that through its purchase. Its tough growing up sometimes and letting go of an artist, especially when they've been such a big part of your enjoyment of non mainstream music.

Dissent is Patriotic.......2003-07-16

This is easily the sickest, illest, nastiest album I have heard in many years. It is a consequence of our beloved, embattled Constitutional rights to free speech. It probes the depths of depravity, radiating the modern psychedelic poetry of the legendary John S. Hall, whose band was truly one of the loudest I have ever seen in concert. This album is minimal on the music, but redeems itself on the baffling, terrifying and surrealist lyrical prose. If any album tests the First Amendment, this may be it. Hall even talks about, yes, killing our current misleader, George W. Bush. He speaks of your parents having rough sex when they conceived you. He spouts off about canning and eating humans, free cheese enemas and blueberry fetus pie.
If these aren't profound enough reasons for purchasing this album at the first opportunity, consider the inclusion of a Millennium Edition of "Jesus Was Way Cool," arguably one of the best songs ever written. Topped off with demented, schizophrenic artwork that would make John Ashcroft tremble, "The Psychopathology of Everyday Life" could very well end up next to Syria on Bush's next Axis of Evil list. The revolution begins with John S. Hall.

You're probably not going to like this CD..........2003-02-21

...but that doesn't mean it isn't any good.

Any guy who writes a three minute song consisting soley of invectives and vitriol towards El Presidente, George W. Bush can't be going for the title of Mr. Congeniality. This CD is not for the easily offended, the politically correct, Republicans, Christians, or anyone over the age of 25. If you breathe or eat, you'll find something to hate about this CD.

In fact, the entire point of the CD seems to be to make the listener uncomfortable. It consists mostly of hideously amusing daydreams about death, dismemberment, anger, rage, loss, pain, pain, pain and more pain set to genre-jumping avant garde music.

In turns hilarious, shocking and disgusting, it sports more cursing than I have heard on any album since... hmm... the last Eminem disc. In fact, I'll come right out and say it: don't buy this CD. You're going to hate it. You're going to wonder what kind of sick person could perform this music and you'll hate yourself for spending your hard earned cash on it. So... just say no. Trust me.

...

Still here? Okay. MAN, this CD is funny. I mean really, really funny. The entire "Pain Series." The ode to Jennifer Love Hewitt. "The President." "The Miracle Of Childbirth." Only time will tell if it's as relistenable as "Failure," but for brainy catharsis, this is the place to go. Bless you, John S. Hall for continuing to be utterly offensive and starkly hilarious.

Royal Lunch
Average customer rating:
Royal Lunch
King Missile III
Manufacturer: Important Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Psychopathology of Everyday Life

Failure

Happy Hour

Mystical Shit/Fluting on the Hump

King Missile

ASIN: B0002S93Z8
Release Date: 2004-09-21

Tracks:

Meditation Is Boring
America Kicks Ass
Suggested Response to the Coming Crisis
So Happy
Chosen
Pain Series VII: Splinter
Another Political Poem
Get Down With the Funky Shit
Get into It
Good Things
Brains Will Explode
Royal Lunch
Antimatter
Pain Series VIII: Stubbed Toe
Phaedreaux
God

Album Description

What is left to say that John S. Hall and King Missile haven't already said? Everything! The notoriously outspoken and eloquently sardonic Hall is back with the third incarnation of King Missile - and this time, his unrelenting lyrical avant poetry/spoken-wordism is angry, irreverently subversive and politically charged. King Missile III has taken aim at the Bush Administration and Royal Lunch is a direct shot at the heart of the monster, with John S. Hall channeling the socio-political climate of the globe, mixing in his slanted wit to create a brilliantly acrimonious masterwork. Though politics could be called Royal Lunch's main obsession, other topics are also dutifully discussed by the post-beat NYC poet/lead singer: the bore of meditation, the sadness and terror of "joy," avocados, cake, kittens, babies, antimatter and Christina Ricci's defense of King Missile on the Rosie O'Donnell show are all discussed with equal passion, eloquence and wit. Royal Lunch is as overtly political as it is slanted, sarcastic, sardonic and belligerent - all the elements of classic King Missile.

King Missile's socio-political rants, evolving lineup and John S. Hall's dry, witty, literate lyrics have kept them modern. Both lyrically and musically relevant, King Missile haven't necessarily fallen behind or kept ahead; instead, they've built their own house and Royal Lunch may be the finest addition yet. Royal Lunch's musical arrangements are as fascinating as Hall's post-beat lyrical approach is engaging. Sasha Forte (King Missile's multi-instrumentalist who also performs with Herbie Hancock) takes up bass, violin, guitar and keyboards while eccentric percussionist Bradord Reed plays a drum set paired with The Amazing Pencillina, a percussive stringed instrument of his own design. Guest musicians include King Missile regulars Jane Scarpantoni (who has played with Lou Reed, David Byrne, Norah Jones and Blonde Redhead) on cello and Jack Spratt on guitar.

Call this protest rock. Call it spoken word. Call it well-harnessed insanity. Call it sardonic for sure. Call it whatever you want, just don't forget to call it King Missile III.

They
Average customer rating:

perfect for saturday mornings

(...)

some funny lyrics and some surprisingly pretty music

Deeply damaged fun

King Missile is great!

They
King Missile
Manufacturer: Shimmy Disc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
General | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The Way to Salvation

King Missile

Mystical Shit & Fluting on the Hump

Royal Lunch

The Psychopathology of Everyday Life

ASIN: B0000010LU
Release Date: 1993-04-27