LARD / The Last Temptation of Reid (1990)

Lard is one of the better side projects put out by members of industrial band Ministry (when they were still good). It benefits from having the outspoken and arguably insane Jello Biafra on vocals. It sounds exactly like you'd hope: Industrial Jello and Punky Ministry. Its repetitive beats, heavy guitars and satirical rants won't appeal to everyone, but fans of both artists mentioned will most likely appreciate the aural assault. It descends into silly mediocrity at the end, but there are enough punchy classics prior to that to warrant a purchase.

Songs of Note: Forkboy; Mate Spawn and Die

4 voyeur dentists out of 5

JELLO BIAFRA AND MOJO NIXON / Prairie Home Invasion (1994)

In my experience, Prairie Home Invasion freaks people out. Not because it's creepy, but because it's country music and they can't help but like it. That scares them. It's not just regular county, though. It's Cowpunk. Yup. Whatever that is. Mojo Nixon knows, as it's undoubtedly his album musically. It's Jello's lyrically. The two opposites meet in the middle and deliver a disc full of hick tunes that you can't help but tap your foot to, or someone else's foot.
It goes without saying that Mojo fans will lap it up, but if you’re a punk at heart and loved Dead Kennedys, then there's a chance you'll love it, too, even if you hate country. Buy two copies... one for grandma.

Songs of Note: Love Me I'm a Liberal; Will the Fetus be Aborted?

5 politically charged hoedowns out of 5