Dr. Frank's What's-it

What's funny is that any criticisms I hear about lyrics usually come from folks who aren't at all interested in lyrics. There seem to be about 3 breeds of music listeners, and possibly music creators for that matter... music-is-all-that-matters, lyrics-are-all-that-matters, and the rare (but widely self-proclaimed) music-and-lyrics-both-matter.

I do like the reference to "this Dr. Frank character" though, as it spawns visions of an animated MTX, along the lines of Hammerman, the MC Hammer cartoon.

"..This Dr. Frank character..." ????

what the fuck is that?! that this person has no clue as to who you are is painfully obvious.

he's also a pretty shitty writer.

i think it's funny that the link to "another take" goes to a review that includes the line "dr. frank is too smart to be mediocre" when the first one focused so heavily on the m-word.

i now find that word extremely annoying and anyone uttering it within a ten-foot radius of my fists will be decorated in bruises and lacerations. ill give ya a meaty oaker ya fuck!

So far, this is the best account of the MTX I've read. Especially the third, fourth, and last items.

http://www.googlism.com/index.htm?ism=mr+t+experience&type=1

Hey Dave, have you seen the video for "And I Will Be With You" ? It may not be the current lineup, but you can see Frank and Jym in all their Hanna-Barbara-esque glory!!! Also, why must every review stamp the word "punk" on MTX several times? I think the band has grown to the point where they can't be pigeonholed into only the "punk" genre any more.

-"they can't be pigeonholed into only the "punk" genre any more."

amen.

Mr afternoon, your comment about mediocrity is fucking brilliant. I was laughing at my office getting quizzical stares. As for the reviews, I totally disagree with JB. I bet that album he was humping is so incredibly bad, I almost have an inkling just to get it and see how much it sucks. Yesterday rules but the future looks better and better for the MTX crew.

Unbelievable. It's like this kid was assigned to write the exact opposite of a legitimate review.

What a dick! Lyrics, schmlyrics, but the slagging on Frank's vocals is what's actually "tone-deaf."

This critic's ignorance seems to "drown out stifle" (to use his own words) any credibility one might find in his review. I'll be the first to admit that, regarding subjects like philosophy, Dr. Frank knows a lot more than I do; and his lyrics can be over my head (for example, "if there's no such thing as objective reality..." - Institutionalized Misogyny), but that certainly doesn't make them "lame." Apparently, the guy doesn't like music that may cause you to think ;)

Whoa- Dr. Frank's lyrics are anything but lame. They're consistently well-crafted, and often brilliant. I can't believe anyone would write that. Argh.

Anyone who can name-check Noam Chomsky and Woody Allen in the same song is, as stated before, "too smart to be mediocre". I purchased Yesterday Rules at last night's Cleveland show, listened to it, and was blown away. It amazing to see how MTX's music has progressed and matured since, for example, Love is Dead. Instead of being, as my friend described them, "pretty good for a punk band", they have become simply a great band. Their songs are smarter lyrically, more complex musically, and they put on an amazing live show. The reviewer seems more concerned with being a dick than anything else, cracking jokes about the band's longevity and prolific output. Since when is putting out entertaining music for nearly 20 years (longer than I've been alive) something to criticize? The Rolling Stones have put out great music for 40 years and for most of that time have been (arguably) the biggest band in the world. While they've never had a big hit, MTX is the biggest band in the world to at least a few of us and should be lauded for making music that keeps their fans coming back instead of making something for jerks like that guy.

"Lame" lyrics? What are "good" lyrics, then? Jeez. What a maroon...

the fact that mtx is a punk rock band is about as mysterious as the colour of salt. mtx is as punk rock as the ramones and it doesn't even need to be said. if any band on earth has ever paid their dues to the punk rock landlord, mtx has done it. all the stupid b.s. reviews filled with what they hope to be witty sarcasm and ironic wit are falling on deaf ears. people who know who mtx are don't need to be remided of their genere. People who haven't heard them will know instantly upon hearing... It speaks for itself...

fuckin' a, luke.

I guess there's no accounting for (dis)taste.

And what's this about the band "being together for nearly 20 years?" Can't get much farther from the objective truth than that. Unless, of course, Frank is actually a multi-partite entity -- the Triune Frank, or some such. Maybe he's omnipresent, too, though I notice MTX won't be in Philly this tour :(

Good point, Nick. The band personnel has certainly not been together for 20 years. I'd say it's a miracle of sorts (or of shame?) that Dr. Frank has held it together for 20 years, pun firmly intended.

Whoever wrote that review obviously has no sense of what good music is. How he can call it mediocre is beyond me, and how he can call your lyrics lame is ridiculous. He clearly is not smart enough to notice how smart and witty and well-written they all are, and most likely cannot understand them so he needs to call them lame in order to hide his own stupidity.I did however enjoy the second review. I say keep up the great music, it just gets better and better.

i would like to see a critic of critics. a whole magazine or e-zine devoted to critiquing critic's reviews. i am sure this has been done, because i can be rather outdated. i enjoy the notion, though.
who ever said these individuals have any authority in judging. the best way he could trash on the lyrics is by labeling them "lame." well, that in itself is lame.
note to self: purchase a thesaurus.

i would state how i feel, personally, about mtx... but everyone on this blog has atleast in some way eloquently represented my thoughts. mtx just keeps impressing me release after release.

so, to put it frankly (gotta love puns), fuck what the critics say.

BUT WHAT IS PUNK?

Ah, everything that's old is new again in Mr. Afternoon's neighborhood. It's been awhile since I've gotten into a "is it punk or is it aint punk?" discussion. Maybe it's played-out in your circles, but I've been busy lifting weights and eating porterhouse steaks for the last few years.

Anyways, I don't think the Mr. T Experience - or the Ramones for that matter - are punk. Yes, the Ramones pretty much used the 3-chord format and the MTX at times sounds like an evolution of that sound. But to toss either of these bands, especially MTX, into the punk rock pile is a disservice. Like Billy Joel says, it's still rock n' roll to me. As far as I'm concerned, punk is usually really obnoxious, poorly produced, angry and attention-hungry music. I see more of a connection between MTX and (gag) the bare naked ladies than, say, Filth or Anti-Flag. Sure, they share the same stages and shows as a lot of punk bands, get reviewed in the same publications, etc... but they are above and beyond punk rock.

As far as punk having to do with economics and politics, if you wanna make that argument, the ramones were on a major label and Dr. Frank supported/supports the war in Iraq.

Could that guy be more of a smug dickhead? He really didn't want to like Yesterday Rules much at all, did he? Frankly(no pun intended), i think that whole thing portends some personal problems on his part.

Mr. Afternoon, that was a pretty intelligent post, coming from someone who still lives in his mommy's basement.

Don't see MTX as punk either. "Punk" is a ghetto; they still haven't moved all their stuff to their new digs, but it's just a matter of time.

Clearly he meant (when he mentioned your "lame lyrics") that you wrote lyrics from the viewpoint of someone injured by the blunt trauma of rejection, and crippled by the sharp edge of betrayal.

slim hathaway, that was a pretty cutting insult coming from someone with the personality of a clipboard.

if my mommy had a renovated basement i'd gladly live there, but i'd rather live with your mommy and skullfuck her for rent.

Mr. A-

Personally i prefer the company of clipboards. They're useful, don't talk much and like to ride shotgun in the truck. Say, did you know pegboard can do wonders to a un-renovated basement? Look into it, my man.

by the way man, no hard feelins i was just playing around re: mommy's basement. you actually make some good points on this comment board thing.

This is somewhat unrelated... However, as I was listening to the "mod punk" station today on Radio@Netscape, I was pleasantly surprised to hear both "Ba Ba Ba Ba Ba" and "Swiss Army Girlfriend". I never would've guessed that a station run by aol would play mtx. I emailed them and asked for more of the same.

What is there to do when you read a review like that cutthechord review? Sigh and shrug. Maybe nod your head.

Actually, if you read other reviews on that site, reviews by that particular reviewer, you gain a little perspective. If you have time, check out his review of the Fantomas album. Pay particular attention to how he describes Michael Patton's "amazing" vocals. I doubt lyrical content or songwriting is what reviewer PB really cares about at all. Take his review of YR with a grain of salt.

In a different review, he actually writes four words that really make me wonder why he's reviewing anything at all. Those four words: "I really like Korn."

Keep cranking out those reviews PB, you're bound to write something meaningful one day.

dear slim,

i forgive you for your transgressions. i was more amused than anything that you decided to insult me for no reason, and even made up a scenario concerning my living arrangements. i like random acts of unkindness.

peace, brother bear.

I like that he cited Institutionalized Mysogyny as one of his examples... I mean seriously, did he listen to it? That's one of the smartest and clever...est songs you've written, and that's saying a lot.

I generally hate "this is punk/that isn't" discussions, but to exclude The Ramones from the genre of punk rock, Mr. Afternoon....isn't that like saying Chuck Berry isn't rock and roll??