Flipper - Public Flipper Limited Live 1980-1985 (2009 Reissue) (2CD)

The music itself is classic FLIPPER mindfuck. The opening New Rules No Rules (live at Target Video, 1980) comes off as young, loud and snotty. The Game's Got Its Price (a 1981 outtake from the soundtrack to Rick Schmidt's film Emerald Cities) is one long nag, nag, nag. Sex Bomb (CBGB, New Year's Eve 1984) sounds like Guy Lombardo dropped the ball. If I Can't Be Drunk (at On Broadway at 443 Broadway in North Beach, 1982) presents a solid sonic argument against sobriety. The psycho-therapy of Brainwash (at DC's 9:30 Club in 1982, recorded by Tom Lyle of Government Issue) is a surefire way to kill brain cells. By the end of Life (at Ruthie's in Berkeley in 83, taped by Gregg Turkington) you'll beg for the warden to flip the switch. After that, the excruciating Flipper Blues (Toronto 1985) feels like that hot dominatrix trick where you're maimed and humiliated yet wanting more.

Think of these 15 songs as Frisco's finest's way of shoveling dirt onto Rock's coffin. If bad vibes were virtues, FLIPPER would be gods. If drugs were talent, they'd be virtuosos. If Punk was important, we wouldn't be here. If Satan had a helluva band, it'd be FLIPPER. If they put out a live album, it'd be Public Flipper Limited.