Dead Kennedys
Bedtime For Democracy

THE REVIEW

"It's Time to Put Democracy to Bed".

This is the provocative title used by the Dead Kennedys, the hardcore band led by its charismatic leader, the anarchist Jello Biafra, for their last studio album. It was released in 1986, a month before their breakup, which occurred in December of the same year. The breakup of the group was motivated by the fact that the band's members wanted to pursue personal projects.

Subsequently, relations between the remaining members of the group and the singer became strained, leading to several legal disputes. One of these involved the incorrect payment of royalties by Biafra and his production company, "Alternative Tentacles."

In 2001, instead, it was Biafra who filed a lawsuit against the group, because they had reformed the Dead Kennedys with another singer, and a dispute arose over the use of the name. The lawsuit was won by the group.

Going back to the album, the Dead Kennedys leave us with this last work that is more than ever provocative and "revolutionary." "Bedtime for Democracy" is a clear reference to United States President Ronald Reagan (the latter was among the protagonists of the 1951 film "Bedtime for Bonzo"). In the same year, the president was also "quoted" by the punk rock band Ramones, in "My brain is hanging upside down (Bonzo goes to Bitburg)."

It must be said that the album reflects the production work that slightly "softens" the group's sound: the guitar sound is less full-bodied and cleaner, while the bass is highly emphasized. Despite this difference from the early albums, this work is nonetheless a gem of hardcore punk. There is no standout song like "Holiday in Cambodia" from the album "Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables," but it is a seamless and smooth work. The songs follow the typical hardcore scheme, with few frills and a lot of energy, none of the songs exceed two and a half minutes (except for the electric "Cesspools In Eden", for "Chicken Conformist" and the powerful "Lie Detector").

Biafra once again manages to masterfully combine the political and social commentary in his lyrics with musical need. The themes addressed by the Dead are now the usual ones, but never predictable or trivial. The album paints a satirical and accusatory picture of American society as ever. In "The Great Wall" the group attacks the economic hegemony of the capitalists, who with their power isolate the poor classes from the world. "Macho Insecurity" is an ironic parody of hardcore-metal bullies. Biafra's satire is sharper than ever. It goes so far as to criticize the commercialization of the anarchist movement in "Anarchy For Sale"; "Chicken Conformist", with its constant changes in speed, denounces the bigoted conformity of the star-spangled society.

There is also time to dream: "One-Way Ticket To Pluto" is an imaginary journey to Pluto organized for American politicians, only that due to a route error, the rocket is headed towards the Sun. You can imagine the ending...

At this point, it would be far too tedious to describe every song. I advise you to listen to this album carefully, it is the legacy that the Dead Kennedys leave to the world, the last great work of a never banal band, always ready to grasp (and denounce) the social unrest caused by the "system".