Reviews (3)

The Minutemen were the secret 3-Way Dylan of the 80's
This is not at all "for fans only" but is a very generous package.
This was the first Minutemen album (though it isn't an album actually) I ever owned, and as a package it is cherished by me up there with their masterwork, Double Nickels On The Dime. Each time these guys were recorded it was as if they were caught styling around a different "phase" or Period of their sound each time they recorded. The Punch Line, What Makes A Man, Double Nickels were all recorded in one or two day chunk- marathon sessions. The biggest chunk of the material here comes from The Politics of Time, which is itself a collection of material that was not included on Double Nickels. The song cycle of studio material from "Base King" to "Maternal Rite" is a unique moment, some of their most rocking, "interesting" stuff in terms of where they were with their sound with these songs, -- I would place it as a further progression of Buzz Or Howl's "heavy" sharp sound and the quirkiness of What Makes a Man, that is, as opposed the definite change in Double Nickels toward a jammier, laid back, San Pedro driving sound that went on to become the Mersh/3 Way "commercial"/folky sound.... So this is the confidence of Double Nickels but eccentricity of earlier records. At times it sounds to me like a twangy Fugazi....
The 2nd half of Politics is not studio, but live stuff, some of which is really great, like "Tony Gets Wasted", as well as a pack of songs that seem almost made on the spot, and it is true that the Minutemen spun songs out like confetti out of a pinata.... The 3 live songs after "Badges" are really sloppy and great to listen to drunk, especially with the funny live audience sounds of a very drunk woman saying something about a chicken and D. Boon's "We don't need no badges" refrain.
But what else does this CD include? You couldn't possibly complain. First you have the classic 1st 7 inch, a real "brick" like the man said, -- their first raw and punky single compact with songs of American paranoia. Here you have the Minutemen already showing their historical side with the marching "Fascist", is like watching a screaming reel of historical footage pass by very rapidly (the only downside of the 7"'s inclusion here is that you really have to listen to a song like "Sickles & Hammers" and "Fascist" on vinyl, the incredble instrumental before it that Sebadoh great as they were couldn't cover as well, a weird punk song about dictionaries? and two great Reagan era punk songs . . . you can say what you want about rock n roll especially punk lacking artistry and finesse, scope, etc. but this is the genuine article here, -- when you first hear the band discussing how to sing over "Joe Mc Carthy's Ghost" as its slamming drums commence you can say to yourself "My, they are really something Else." You know you are in the presence of unusual talent.
There is also the fantastic Joy EP, -- three great Wire-like rolls that has D.'s guitar playing really mean for the first time. And then the great Bean-Spill EP, including the rolling and Watt-sung song that asks what "If Reagan Played Disco", and the great "Afternoons", all which go together very well and tightly in a compact EP.... And at the end you have a choice treat of the Tour-Spiel LP, which is four covers of great songs, which as Trouser Press commented all still sound really like the Minutemen, even CCR's Green River.

Ah, ahm, the Minutemen, the Minutemen. They are beloved to me, immortal in my heart. I first heard them when I was 14 and I never grew out of them, even though I grew away from most of that musique. Ah, but the Minutemen! You must have them!

Ton of Stuff, including the Classic "Paranoid Time" EP
"Paranoid Time", the first 7 tracks on here, is absolutely heavy as a brick and prefigures everything the band went on to do - they never did it better than this.

The rest of the material is mixed but contains many brilliant nuggets - such as "The Process" and "Party With Me Punker". Recording quality varies from pristine to terrible, but that's the aesthetic at work here.

Great collection, but for true fans only
"Post Mersh Volume 3" collects the Minutemen's earliest material -- three EPs ("Paranoid Time," Bean Spill," and "Tour Spiel"), "The Politics of Time" LP and the "Joy 7" -- together on one CD. However, most of this stuff is for true fans only. A lot of it is recorded poorly, and there are some very "young" compositions. Still, the songs have great energy and "The Politics of Time" material is as good as anything else pre-"Double Nickels on the Dime." The fact that all this music (almost 70 minutes) is available for one low price bumps it up to a four star review in my opinion. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"Wanna buy a monkey?" It'd be more exciting than this safe collection of musical performances from the Late Show. Although some of the duet pairings are intriguing (including Lyle Lovett with Al Green and Elvis Costello with Burt Bacharach), most of the musicians sound like they're well aware they're playing in front of a national TV audience of millions. While performances from Paula Cole and Dave Matthews predate their explosion onto the charts, yesterday's top acts (Lenny Kravitz, Sheryl Crow) sound like musical footnotes here. In truth, old timers Lou Reed and Patti Smith show their forebears how it's done. In the album's defense, it's an eclectic mix--but ultimately an uninspired one. --Greg Emmanuel ... Read more

Reviews (11)

A mixed bag that captures live energy more often than not
An ecelectic mix of old & new, male & female, unique duets, and only a couple of clunkers. Lilith troopers Jewel & Crow add some real heat to their songs, elevating them above the studio versions. I am sure the Paula Cole song is good too but I have heard the Dawson Creek commercial so much that I usually skip through it. The old school really shows how it is done. Lou Reed, Aretha Franklin, & Patti Smith are bound to get you moving. It was also nice to actually hear Jerry Garcia sing the much-covered "Friend of the Devil" for once. The pairing of Al Green & Lyle Lovett is smooth & inspired. The pairing of Van Morrison & Sinead O'Connor probably looked good on paper but is executed with all the finesse of 2 eigth graders on their first date. Dave Matthews, Lenny, & REM all turn in OK workmanlike performances. The only real stinker for me was the Costello tune. Personally, I feel Elvis has turned into the very shambling mockery that he used to rail against. Of course, the other person who reviewed this CD loved this song. I guess that sums up the message of this CD. It takes different strokes for different folks to make the world go round.

Time-Tested Vets, Star Collaborations, And A Few "Hits"...
Dave spent most of the 80s introducing under-the-radar acts on his late, late night show. This collection pretty much shows what you get when you "graduate" to an 11:35pm timeslot: bigger names, star collaborations, and more than a few "hit" singles. What strikes you most is the age of a lot of these acts -- people like Lou Reed, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello, Burt Bacharach, Al Green, Van Morrison, Rod Stewart, Patti Smith, and the now departed Jerry Garcia. While they're all time-tested veterans, they're also pretty safe choices for a compilation album. And while Franklin's "Think" or Lou Reed's "Sweet Jane" are terrific songs, they're also songs we've heard them perform for decades now. Almost as safe are the "hit" singles from the newer acts like Sheryl Crow, Paula Cole, Dave Matthews Band, Jewel, Lenny Kravitz, and R.E.M. (who, incidentally, made their TV debut on Letterman's NBC show in 1983, I believe). Again, safe choices. That aside, there are still a number of highlights. My personal favorites include Lou Reed's always great "Sweet Jane," Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach's "God Give Me Strength," Lyle Lovett and Al Green's take on Willie Nelson's "Funny How Time Slips Away," R.E.M.'s swaggering "Crush With Eyeliner," and Patti Smith's raging Valentine's Day offering "Who Do You Love." It's not a landmark compilation by any means, but it does its best to appeal to a wide range of music fans. Plus, there's that fantastic cover photo of Dave and a doggie... THREE AND A HALF STARS.

Live On Letterman : Music From The Late Show [LIVE]
I've read the other reviews for this incredible CD; and have to admit...many of you are missing the big picture here. This collection of artists and titles are a must for any music buff. I play it regularly and find it endlessly entertaining. I just wish there were others produced and available...with Dave's fame and continued run on late night TV...I'm certain there'd be a dozen by now.

Dead on Letterman
Good sound quality from Letterman's vaults, but many of the performers on this CD have been around too long. Quite frankly, this collection resembles the status quo of unchanging music including "dead" I mean REAL deadheads. They had their day in the sun -- time to move on!

Pleasantly Surprised
I have to admit that when my husband brought home "Live On Letterman: Music From The Late Show" I was a little skeptical. Just browsing through the artists and songs, I didn't think I would enjoy it. Alas, I decided to pop it into the player and give it a spin anyways. You know, it really wasn't all that bad. In fact, it was very good!

There were a few songs that I could've done without, such as "Sweet Jane" (Lou Reed) and "God Give Me Strength (Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach). I'm not really sure whether to add "Have I Told You Lately..." (Van Morrison, Sinead O'Connor and The Chieftains) to this category yet. The track isn't REALLY that bad except for the crazy burbling sounds Morrison makes while singing and poor Sinead when she drops the mic at the end of the song. I guess, all in all, it wasn't that bad of a song. I really enjoyed the Celtic feel to it. It certainly wasn't as bad as "God Give Me Strength", which made me want to throw myself onto a rake. Much too sappy for me.

The tracks I really enjoyed the most were: "Strong Enough" (Sheryl Crow), "You Were Meant For Me" (Jewel & Flea), "Crush With Eyeliner" (R.E.M), and "I Don't Want To Wait" (Paula Cole). I also enjoyed "Are You Gonna Go My Way" by Lenny Kravitz. This is SUCH a cool song! Lenny is the man!

I suggest "Live On Letterman: Music From The Late Show" for the ecclectic music fan. There's a little bit of everything on this CD, which should satisfy most musical tastes.

Gennie Bailey-Rogers ... Read more

Album Description

Initially the release was going to be a double CD featuring one song from every band (50) on the label, but that ideagrew to include a 100+ page booklet that would includephotos and text about the bands and the history of thelabel. Later a third CD was added, this one featuringunreleased or rare material from the Dischord vaults, aswell as some CD-ROM video files of archival footage ofperformances from some of the early bands.73 songs fromvarious artists including The Teen Idols, Minor Threat,Gray Matter, Beefeater, The Snakes, Slant 6, Shudder ToThink and many more. Three standard jewel cases housed in aslip-box. 2002. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Dischord is an institution!
So much manufactured dreck out there these days that it's hard to even listen to the radio. Thank God for Dischord!

I've had this set about 3 weeks now and it's hardly left my CD player. Beautiful packaging, great music. I knew Minor Threat, Fugazi, and much of the old harDCore stuff (and love it!), but some of the stuff from Dischord's little known second generation of bands on disc two (most of them defunct) is like a revelation. I suspect I'll be exploring some of these artists in the near future.

My only gripe (and it's a minor one) is that all 50 bands get equal billing. Bands like Fugazi, Jawbox, Minor Threat are simply in a different league than some of the acts, but they all get just one song; it must be said that there are a couple of stinkers. But that's okay, 'cause you already have everything Fugazi has put out. Right?!! And that egalitarianism is what makes Dischord something special.

Highly recommended.

The best box set around
This one arrived last night, and while there are too many tracks to absorb in 12 hours, I'm already in awe. Over the course of 2 discs you get to hear the way punk rock changed over the last 20 years in Washington, DC. Disc One is mostly hardcore punk, but it begins to change around the time Rites Of Spring - Drink Deep is heard. Disc 2 is my favorite so far because it features 2 of the best bands ever, Fugazi and Jawbox, who have shaped the sound of post punk and related genres. I haven't even gotten to the rarity disc and I can honestly say this is the best box set I've ever heard. Also, the 134 page booklet with biographies of every band on the cd is priceless. Its well written with introductions from Jeff and Ian (the founders of Dischord, not to mention musical masterminds behind Minor Threat, Fugazi, etc..) and Henry Garfield (who is now known as Henry Rollins). Lots of cool pictures are included as well. The great packaging only hints at the music thats inside. Please, if you buy anything this year, make it this box set. Never before has something been so worth the money. ...

stick it to the man, man
why are you buying this from amazon? oh, just because its cheaper than buying it from the friggin' label. come on guys let's stick it to the man...or save money.

great! wonderful! pow!!!
On the basis of the ambitiousness of this project alone, "20 Years of Dischord" should garner a really high star rating. Now, while I'm not too keen on some of the bands on the second disc -- it's just not my taste -- I LOVE the majority of tunes on the first and third discs. The huge, beautiful full color booklet is a great touch too. Makes for nice bathroom reading. ha.

Anyway, one thing I really enjoyed about this set is the chronological order that shows a very clear evolution in "the DC sound." First you get the primitive hardcore of Teen Idles and Untouchables. These are great bands, but they lead up to the real meat of the first disc: The CLASSICS from Minor Threat, GI, SOA, Void, Youth Brigade and Faith. But the neatest thing about it is as soon as the Faith song is finished, you can tell the DC sound had reached a turning point. "20 Years of Dischord" really demonstrates, as never before to those who weren't there in the early years of harDCore, how important Faith was to the scene. They're the true roots of the "emo" style that would develop later, with introspective lyrics, more complicated and melodic guitar work, and less harsh vocals. They're still a hardcore band, yeah, but they do mark a departure from the straightforward thrash of Minor Threat and the others.

After Faith, things get more melodic, with Marginal Man, Embrace and the impeccable Rites of Spring. There's plenty of just "what the hell" type stuff from the "Revolution Summer" era too... take Beefeater's almost metallic funk-punk and The Snakes' silly "Snake Rap." Other mid-era highlights include Gray Matter and Dag Nasty. Towards the end of disc one it's evident that Dischord has outgrown the hardcore trappings it started with and is focussed on independent music of any kind in DC. It's cool, but not exactly my steez, if you get me. So I usually only listen to a few tracks on disc two (Nation of Ulysses, Slant 6 and The Make-Up are great, and of course, Fugazi has to be mentioned).

And disc three is great icing on the cake, with unreleased/rare songs from (mostly early hardcore) bands. There are some video clips too that I haven't been able to figger out how to play on my comp, blast it!

"20 Years of Dischord" is the most bang, and band, for your buck you can get. Three discs and a huge booklet for less than most new DVDs? Snap this up. Great history lesson on one of the most influential and important record labels in HISTORY.

cashin' in
Q: Why did the punk cross the road? A: Because Ian told him to. Flex your head and spend your cash on something better. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The louder, clearer sound afforded by producer Shadow Morton makes theDolls come on even brasher on their second and last album. In Too Much TooSoon finds their mix of aggression and humor intact--not just "in spiteof" an increased reliance on covers, either, because David Johansen's tastein remakes expresses a lot about this music nut's crazed, loving worldview. Whoelse in '70s rock could make a wacked-out doo wop novelty like "Stranded inthe Jungle" into an important personal statement? The Stones' late-'74slopbucket take on "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" suggests that they'd heardthe Dolls rewire the Philly-soul "Showdown." And while few of thepunks who followed were to make as deep as claim on reality as the buzzsawing"Human Being" does, though many were to chip off pieces of the manic"Who Are the Mystery Girls?" --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (21)

C'mon and gimme some lip
The New York Dolls precocious first album justifiably gets all the credit as the groundbreaker, but their second (and last) album "Too Much Too Soon", might be a truer picture of an oft-misunderstood band. For one, the deep rhythm'n'blues roots of the Dolls are laid bare here in the covers of "Don't Start Me Talkin'", "(There's Gonna Be a) Showdown", and "Stranded in the Jungle". That love of old Stax/Volt r'n'b suggests that maybe the Dolls weren't so much a second generation threat to the status quo of the rock industry as they were merely a hormone'n'drug-fueled white boy version of Wilson Pickett (or Otis Redding).

The r'n'b roots also display what a great band they were. Their covers didn't come across as bar band bland, nor did they sound like overly reverent studies in musical theory. The Dolls made them their own, rebuilt them from the ground up starting with the drumming perfection of Jerry Nolan and the guitar and bass rhythm section of Sylvain Sylvain and Arthur Kane, respectively. The icing on the cake was the lead guitar insanity of Johnny Thunders, whose guitar tone alone launched a thousand punk bands.

The original songs on this album are equal to those on the debut, so the main difference between the two is in the approaches to production (the debut has more of a conceptual sheen, whereas "Too Much Too Soon" is much closer to a live sound). And while there may be nothing here as immediately striking as the debut's "Personality Crisis", in "Human Being" the Dolls muster up a genuine anthem, an apology for weakness of character that is belied by David Johansen's sneering, insolent vocals and by the frenzied stomp of the band. It's five minutes of glorious rock'n'roll transcendence, bolstered by their utter belief in the power of the music and proof positive that, while the Dolls may say they're sorry for their sins, they certainly don't mean it.

A perfect encapsulation of rock'n'roll attitude, if ever there was one.

The crucial punk link between the Stooges and the Ramones
Despite (un)popular opinion, I think "Too Much Too Soon" is superior to their first album. Shadow Morton's production sharpens up the guitars and adds horns and girl-group sounding vocals (he did produce and write songs for the Shangri-Las). "Puss N' Boots" is almost as good as "Personality Crisis" from their first album, and their cover of "Don't You Start Me Talkin'" is blistering. Johnny Thunders guitar work is greatly represented here, and Sylvain Sylvain's melodious guitar style also comes through on this album. There is not a bad song on this album, and it is among my twenty favorite albums of the 1970's.

The REAL N.Y. sound baby!
Utter gutter rock throw-down! This is the mighty Dolls at their greasy, raunchy, rockin' best. Punk rock turned out to be a huge disgrace after "hardcore" dweebs and Brit. "punks" took all the soul out of the music. Punk should have been an American rock'n'roll revival instead of the trendy fashion show that English punks exploited. But, for a moment there, way back in the mid to late seventies rock'n'roll ruled and The New York Dolls were kings!

Fantastic
this album is simply fantastic. when i got it i listened to it about 20 times before decideing that i liked it better than the first LP. it plays easier and is more even in terms of songs. one of my favorite aspects about this album is the fact that it has so many old covers (Stranded in the jungle,(theres gonna be) a showdown) it just adds a terrific spin to the already sloppy doo wop syle punk. the mix is slightly cleaner than the first but dont let that fool you. believe me im the first to say that grungey is better but this album leaves you more satisfied.

rock'n roll at its finest!
I'm going to keep this short and sweet. I'm not going to go through it track by track and analyze every song. Basically, if you like The Stooges and Iggy Pop's solo stuff you will like this album and will want to add it to your collection. If you like early NYC rock'n roll you need this! Not only did The New York Dolls glam it up in style - they also knew how to rock! ... Read more

Reviews (13)

DIFFICULT THIRD ALBUM
After the spectacular "Horses" and "Easter" anything would have been a let-down. I love this album, however, for its great songs. Frederick is a poetic number with a lovely, hummable melody in the vein of Because The Night. Dancing Barefoot is more experimental and rather haunting with an interesting rhythm, whilst So You Wanna Be ... is a spirited version of the R&R classic and Hymn is a fragile lullaby with Patti accompanying herself on a harp or similar instrument - it reminds me of The Jackson Song on "Dream Of Life." .For me the highlight of the album is Broken Flag, a solemn but powerful dirge about courage in adversity. The title track Wave is a spoken word delivery with gulls and ocean sounds and doesn't appeal to me. I would say this album is essential for fans but not the correct entry point for someone just starting to investigate the gorgeous Ms Smith.

The first three cuts make this a compelling set
Often dismissed by critics as Patti Smith's weakest album before her temporary retirement from the business in the late 70s, "Wave" is worth having just for the first three tracks. Had there been any justice, "Frederick" would have been a huge follow up hit to "Because The Night" from the "Easter" set. Its commercial potential couldn't have escaped listeners, could it ? But wait, the best is yet to come. "Dancing Barefoot" has got to be one of the most gorgeous melodies ever written by Patti and arguably the high point of the album. By the time you reach the impressively hard rocking "So You Wanna Be A Rock & Roll Star", you think this set is gonna top even "Easter" but sadly, this was not to be. With the possible exception of "Seven Ways Of Going" - the equivalent of the unlistenable final two tracks of "Radio Ethiopia" - the rest of "Wave" starting from "Hymn" isn't bad but not nearly as compelling as the three openers. "Revenge" and "Citizen Ship" actually grow on you if you let them and the title track is a little ethereal beauty. Don't let the critics put you off this album. "Wave" may be a little uneven and not quite the masterpiece that were its predecessors, but the highlights shine so brightly no fan of Patti's should miss out on them, particularly "Dancing Barefoot" which is absolutely brilliant.

When Doves Cry
The cover of this record intrigues me: I'm thinking that Patti must have been cleaning the birds' cage (which would explain why they were freely roaming around her apartment) when the picture was taken; or, on the other hand, maybe Patti never caged the birds at all due to concerns over damaging their auras or something. Whatever. Anyway, speaking of damaged auras, mine certainly has been since I played this prententious mess of an album. Apart from "So You Want to be a Rock and Roll Star" (which is viciously amazing), WAVE is the work of a clueless hack. Maybe Patti should've posed with a couple of horses on the cover instead....

Strangely Weak
I bought "Wave" just two months ago and -although it's a too short time to judge objectively and despite the fact that I am a new fan and so a Patti-addicted at the moment- I am disappointed in it. I own all Patti's albums (except "Dream of life") and "Wave" seems to be the least impressive at first glance, but this consideration concerns mainly the music and its execution. But, as far as the lyrics are concerned, I think that no album is better this (of course, except the brilliant-illuminating "Horses"). So if I had to judge, I would give 3 stars out of 5, but if I could I would give 2.5.

Half the album is worth the price
This is an album of contradictions, but compelling nonetheless. It was the first PSG effort I heard, and inspired me to buy Easter and Radio Ethiopia too (all vinyl, over 20 years ago). The LP has only the first nine songs. The opening track (Frederick on side A), and 6-9 (the entire side B) are the ones that count. Ignore the rest. "Frederick" sounds like a made for radio single at first hearing, but later you can tell that she's speaking from the heart (even if you don't know about the husband part). The title song is rather pretentious, or maybe it's just a cynical adult who'd much rather still be a little girl. "Broken Flag" can actually give you goosebumps, but could also leave you with a Readers Digest aftertaste. "Seven Ways of Going" is paradoxically the most straightforward and unambiguous piece on the album. Resist the instinct to play it over and over. Finally, the opener on side B, "Citizen Ship" is a masterpiece of melding emotions with instrumentation. So brilliant that I'm willing to forgive the pointless meandering at the end. I'm amazed that nobody talks about this song.
The musical arrangements are generally sparse, but still stark and potent more often than not (producer Todd Rundgren is no Phil Spector). Ms. Smith's voice is rasping at times, lilting at others, even out of tune occasionally, but it works. I can't figure out if she's a latter day female Jim Morrison, or the Joan Baez of punk. But one thing's for sure, classifying her amongst "Women in Rock" amounts to trivializing her. ... Read more

Album Description

The L.A. punk legend's debut album. Tracks include, 'Rondo', 'Poodle Party', 'Shadow Man' and 'Mental Ward'. Originally released in 1979. Bonus tracks include 'I'm OK, You're OK', 'Silent Night', 'sounds Of Silence', 'Banana Splits', 'Hideous' and 'Got It At The Store'. 2000 release. Standard jewel case. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

NOT just the definative good time party pop punk album.....
I dare you to play this album and not feel like a teenager in a fun park.

I was thirteen when I first bought this record in '79, back in punks riotous heyday, it struck us then that something elevated this work from its contemporaries. Behind the marvel comic inspired tom-foolery of L.G.Phillips's lyrics it can be easy to overlook the sheer sonic quality of this album and what a tight if not insane musical unit the Dickies actually were. Take the lavish guitar work on 'You Drive Me Ape' - the layered vocal harmonies on 'Give It Back', the machine gun percussion on 'Shake & Bake' And simply the best covers of 'Paranoid' and 'The Banana Splits' ever recorded.

Not your average seventies punk combo fare here - a punk album with Production! This is what the Dandy Warhol's would aspire to if they lightened up. An album as fresh and eye opening today as it was then.

Classic, three minute, feel good, B movie - pop punk at its very best. I simply don't understand why these guys were not HUGE.

Not Just A Novelty Act
Somewhat akin to LA's version of The Ramones, The Dickies combine a revved up punk sound, a humorous take on life, and a tasty selection in covers and come up with nothing more or nothing less than simple, fun entertainment. Don't go looking for any messages within these grooves, not with originals with titles like "You Drive Me Ape (You Big Gorilla)," "Poodle Party" and "Curb Job," or hyperdrive covers of "Paranoid," "Eve Of Destruction," "Silent Night," "Sounds Of Silence" and in a stroke of brilliance, "The Banana Splits" theme. Tremendous...

Give These Guys a Lifetime Achievement Award!
I still have a copy of this somewhere on yellow vinyl, and I nearly wore that one flat over the years! The album is too much fun, and coupled with "Dawn of the Dickies" forms one of the most sadly neglected bodies of extremely thoughtful pop craziness the world will ever see.

This album contains the definitive cover of 'Paranoid', injecting it with enough sugar and caffeine to make a horse do handstands, all the while staying almost magically note-for-note true to the original!

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.

I'm also given to understand that the cd contains a bunch of singles as well, including the Banana Splits Theme/Got It At The Store and others. Priceless. The Dickies are the only band that can do songs as wonderfully silly as these and make it sound cool! Other bands have tried, but when you hear these, you'll realize that the bar was raised REALLY high a long time ago!

A timeless gem from the days when 'punk' was fun, musical and unpredictable.

A Guilty Pleasure
My face is red. Here I am, a cultivated person who reads Montaigne and adores Bach, yet I like the Dickies. There, I've said it. Yes, their lyrics are puerile. Yes, the lead singer spews those lyrics in a blitzkrieg of nearly incomprehensible mock-schoolboy babble. Yes, the songs are so short, they're often over before you realize what hit you.

What hits you is a kind of power-pop punk reminiscent of the Ramones, only with more production. And the production on tracks like "Give it Back" is glorious, with crisp backing vocals and frenetic snippets of piano accenting the roiling guitar chords. And though the songs say nothing, with most of them clocking in at under two minutes, at least they don't take too long to say it.

You should realize the Dickies, like many punk bands, are decidedly NOT politically correct. Normally, this does not concern me. However, I do have reservations about the blatant if cartoon-like racism in the lyrics of "Shadow Man." This for me comes close to emptying the dance floor if not entirely spoiling the party. Unfortunate for an album that otherwise ranks very high on the Fun Scale, the top rungs of which are occupied by albums like X-Ray Spex "Germfree Adolescents," and the self-titled debut of the B-52s. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Enjoy!
Hey! let's talk about The Descendents-Enjoy! great artwork! good songs! extra-funny lyrics! In resume that's awesome!

A great typical Descendents cd
Well, this is probabbly one of the less great Descendents album, but it is awesome with great flatulence sounds!

Good
Better than "I Don't Wanna Grow Up" though not as good as "Milo Goes To College" or "Everything Sucks". Favorite tracks; "Sour Grapes", "Get The Time", "Cheer", "80's Girl", "Green", "Days Are Blood". If you are interested in the Descendents, don't make this your first purchase. Get "Milo Goes To College" first and if you like that get "Everything Sucks". Then from there go after the rest. This album has some classic Descendents songs, which thankfully outnumber the "not so classic" ones. This album is nothing you will be amazed by, though as the title suggests it is more of an enjoyable listen every now and then. Essential for any Descendents fan. Good stuff. If you hate work but you love girls, food, and farting, (...) Have fun.

Start your education here
And then move on to Circle Jerks, old Black Flag, X, Killdozer, and old Social Distortion. I want an essay on how life is All in one word or less by Friday. Enjoy.

Blink 18...who???
All this talk about Blink 182, A new found glory, Green day...etc.. Comedic Punk started here with Descendents. This is one of my all time favorites cd's. Enjoy is funny from the start, And ends with recorded farts. I could babble on and on about how great they are and all, but why bother. If you like blink's sound, this is where it came from. Also check out Circle Jerks "Group Sex" for more original comedic punk. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Bells that go Carroll
At some point during "It Goes" I felt shaken from my heart to my toes. By the end of "My Ruins" I was in tears. Carroll is an awesome conduit of the Bard. Rimbaud lives! There are songs and spoken word on this disc. Be warned faint of heat. This will be your most precious of pains. By this CD>

Waivers in the clouds of greatness!
As a 17 year old I wore the ink off my "Catholic Boy" cassette and found "The Basketball Diaries" hypnotic. I forgot about Jim until I stumbled into "Pools of Mercury". He is a breathing Rimbaud, blessed with musical talent. Buy this CD!

Magic
If you would ask me to tell you what's the best track on Pools of Mercury. I could not tell you. It's magic from the beginning to the end. This record is the best i have ever heard in my live. I can not compares it with anything.

a moving piece from start to it's extremly dramatic end!!!
fifteen years is to long to wait for the next!! way to go jim...one more and maybe you will be pure.

A Very Deep "Pools of Mercury" = }
He's taken his time, and now Jim Carroll's back with smthg new, fresh, and unbelievably powerful. Still love "People Who Died"? Well, this records adds depth and understanding to his past, while maintaining his truth that has kept many of his fans so hooked. The poems are from Void of Course or Fear of Dreaming, and against the intricate background music, they are defined and carefully thought over. There's five rock numbers, and each one is a highlight. Especially check out Falling Down Laughing (#2) and The Beast Within (#14). Jim Carroll personally recommended that i get this cd, and now i'm passing the recommendation to you- "you know, you should get the new cd, i mean, it's got songs on it, not just spoken-word..." [quote Jim Carroll] Get this cd, and get ready to be shocked out of your world! a day's not a day if i don't hear smthg from Pools of Mercury! A definite masterpiece! ... Read more

Album Description

This time capsule collects 14 superb tracks that set therecord straight. The Weirdos were, quite simply, one of the best and brightest American bands of punk's first wave.1991. Frontier. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

DUUUUDE!! WEIRDOS RULE!
The weirdos kicked a$$ back in 77 when I wasn't born... hehe... and are still out kickin a$$!! I saw them play at the showcase a couple weeks ago with the skulls... AWESOME show! I love the weirdos! And the lead singer is really cute for an older guy! Really nice blue eyes... awesome stage performance... I admire them for putting such effort in their music... for like... *doing math* (77-04).. hmmm.. 24+3=... aha! 27 years! Anyways... awesome band... I love the song fallout. I love all their stuff... WEIRDOS for life! BUY THIS CD!!!! (i have the LP HAHA!)

L.A. Punk at its Best
This is one of L.A. punk's classics. Though not the best band (that would be the Screamers but good luck finding any of their material), it is along with X, the Germs and Black Flag one of the great bands of the L.A. punk scene. Hard edged punk rockabilly with more than a bit of Clash style politics thrown in, this is not only a great comp., it is a fun listen. Green Day can only hold a candle to classic stuff like this. This was just before punk morphed into post-punk and hardcore and when it was punk for punk's sake.

Great stuff! I miss these guys!
If you were a part of the punk rock scene, this is a must for your library. It's great to hear "Fort USA" again! I had been looking for that song for almost 20 years!

A Guilty Pleasure
Tempus Fugit, and so in middle age the wise listen to serious music and abandon television for the novel. But wait! There is always time to monitor punk rock. After all, one might want to write a review. Last night I monitored "Weird World Volume 1" as I painted, and after a time all of the words and melodies came back to me from those glory days of hippie baiting and seeking out dadaesque 45s. How The Weirdos came up with such astonishing music I can't say, and why musicians today to not aspire to such glory is best left for psychoanalyists to explain. You must hear this fourteen song collection, the perfect compliment to both Fear and the Germ's debut albums.

2nd rate punkers? Hardly...
The Weirdos are one of the greatest of the early punk bands. I love every song on this album, and the more you hear them the better they get. My favorite song is "Fort U.S.A", a both funny and disturbing song about gun control: "Well everybody's got a gun; and you dont have to be 21" This band is awesome and is essential to any punk fan or rock and roll fan. I also want other volumes! Volume 1, what a tease. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Led by Los Angeles punk legend Rikk Agnew, the Adolescents lived up to their name, bawling out song after angst-ridden song about how much everything--mom, dad, the cops, and, most likely, you--totally sucked. Admittedly, that was nothing special for the scene that spawned them, but Agnew's jaw-dropping array of guitar tricks vaulted the Adolescents near to the top of the heap.Equal parts Dick Dale, Johnny Thunders, and Chuck Berry, Agnew didn't flaunt virtuoso moves, but the riffs he laid down on classics like "I Hate Children," "Wrecking Crew," and "Section 8" were instrumental in creating America's first mosh pits. This CD version also includes the Ads' "Welcome to Reality" EP, for a total of 26 whiplash-inducing tracks.--David Sprague ... Read more

Reviews (17)

OLD SCHOOL PUNK
IF YOU LIKE MISIFTS OR BLACK FLAG OR ANYTHING YOU WILL LIKE THIS. ITs not as hard as the above bands but it is very very good

It's okay
I got this CD right after I got into the Circle Jerks' Wild In the Streets, and I was hoping this would be as good. It's not. It's not a bad album by any means, but it's not the best punk has to offer. Get it after you get some circle jerks and black flag

TSOL Fans Will Love This
Those of you who only know "Amoeba" and think that every song on the album is like that, then you'll be shocked. Probably one of the best goth punk albums of all time, this album gives you a creepy and angry look into the twisted minds of Adolescents.

Their music is very much inspired by goth punks like TSOL and Misfits, but also show a artistic ability that not many punks can compare to. With epic songs like "Kids of the Black Hole", Adolescents play punk songs that are so much longer then most (it clocks in at five minutes and twenty-seven seconds). Combined with gutter-punk vocals tha cannot be matched, this album is a must for any punk fan. Warning: Most people who like the whole "punky pop" thing going on will not enjoy this album (duh!).

The album also includes Adolescents first EP "Welcome to Reality". I have no idea why the person who set up the page put Rikk Agnew's first album on the songlist, but who cares.

In conclusion, this album will change how you look at punk rock. FOREVER!!!!!

Wow!
This is an amazing CD. When I heard this was one of the main influences of some of today's terrible MTV "pop-punk" bands I was a little reluctant to check this out. Luckily for me this CD is nothing like those other bands. It truely is a great album for anyone into hardcore or punk.

One of the greatest skate punk CDs
These guys were the epitome of what southern california punk was and is. No bs fast, full of angst, melodic skate punk. Bands like Bad Religion and Social Distortion also emulated this style. Listen to the chorus of Amoeba and you will know what I'm talking about. Anyways, this album is not overly harsh on the ears and the lyrics are ...catchy. ... ... Read more

Amazon.com

Recorded in June, 1979, these 16 tracks comprise the first-ever sessions by the seminal New York hardcore band. The sound quality is excellent, the band trashes mightily, and the style hasn't dated in the least. --Jeff Bateman ... Read more

Reviews (14)

this is the real deal
This was my first Bad Brains album ever bought and remains to be my favorite. While later work has influence on me as a musician this early work has influence on me as well. It makes me imagine how different things were then. It paints this image in my head of a new, outrageous, unified, and true music scene that we seem to lack today. This is where it started for four broke, black, ex-jazz musicians who were set to leave a mark in music and did. How awesome would it be to go back to those days when shows were held in basements? Well this c.d. is no guarantee to all but is a great start for the most, to go into the past and see where the Brains came from. Great tracks include Regulator, Pay To Cum, Redbone In The City, Send You No Flowers, Banned In D.C., and the Man Won't Annoy Ya. Get this c.d. if you love the roots of punk music. Get this c.d. if you love the Bad Brains. While still harsh sounding this album is still great and will not dissapoint!

Thee blueprint
If a guy only had this and nothing else in "HAWDCORE" or whatever other lame title for a genre that could be dreamt up this is it period. If a guy didn't ever listen to any other music lumped in this genre he'd be fine and really wouldn't be missing all that much except maybe Flipper or maybe Cro-Mags first album but even they drew heavily from the Brains. This album kills and makes the Bad Brains stand out amongst the wannabes that invaded later on. Unfortunately even for Thee Mighty Bad Brains their demise was that they kept on going and not in the right direction. These guys drew inspiration from Mahavishnu and Return to Forever just as much or more so than "punk" and just compacted it into two minute songs. The recording is raw for the right reasons (not cuz it was "indie" or "lo-fi")--they had no money and were breaking new ground without any support from some bigshot producer/label/studio. That came later unfortunately. If you even could attempt to have any street cred this would be playing 24/7.

just a note
This review is wrong. The band is from Washington DC.

"Recorded in June, 1979, these 16 tracks comprise the first-ever sessions by the seminal New York hardcore band. The sound quality is excellent, the band trashes mightily, and the style hasn't dated in the least. --Jeff Bateman"

Please don't post this review, just letting you know...

AT THE TIME BAD BRAINS WERE KNOWN FOR HAVING BIG BALLS!
From beastie boys to jeff buckley to moby, everyone is a fan of the BAD BRAINS. They are the unsung heroes of the late 70's early 80's punk movement creating anthems that will influence many famous artists of today. There is no collaboration record so I recommend this one for the reason of it's infamy. The album was recorded in a house and cheaply recorded at that. The sound is not all around great but in the end when you hear the vocals twain with the punk rythms (sort of like the Ramones but slower)
and the fast beating drums with a cloggin sound bass guitar you have a prime example of influence in the world of music. The story of this band is too long and two great but if you want to go treasure huntin for some good and rare bands for your collection than you should atleast have one BAD BRAINS record

the blue print of hardcore finally reveiled 10 stars!!
well to think of the bad brains and were it all started this about sums it up!!it only took like 17 years for these demos to finally be realised ..to start this is the sessions that don zientra did in 1979 (known for starting recording for basiclly all of discords bands including minor threat and fugazi )and the tapes were basiclly lost and they moved on to record there legendary first album.so found some where in a basement they are for you all to listen and enjoy.it is a sonic bliss of power,energy and excitement that just poures out of your speakers.on this one you get some different versions of some of there early classics and some songs that never saw the light of day.as far as the sound it must of been recorded live or in a couple takes. a great live feel and you hear a little bit of there early influences a little more in there performace like maybe a cross between return to forever or the sex pistols or maybe mc5.its just great but if you are starting out to hear the brains for the first time i recomend maybe there first album instead or rock for light..and wait like the rest of us for many years to hear this one and you will hear a truely remarkable band that deserves all what they started and a place as the inavators of reggie =hardcore and punk.......magnificent! ... Read more

Album Details

Their 1992 Reunion featuring Members Tom Verlaine, Richard Lloyd, Fred Smith, and Billy Ficca. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

14 years later...
After an era when every band who was cool or was supposed to be cool taking after the sly attitude and pop sensibilities of the artpop side of the New York punk scene, represented by them, Patti Smith, Talking Heads and Blondie, Television returned on this 1992 reunion album. This older, more subdued version of Television offers some nice additions to the band's cannon. "1880 or So" exceeds "Days" as their most beautiful song. The thumping, suave of "Beauty Trip," the reflective tone of "No Glamour for Willi" and the bop of "In World" are also well worth noting. But still this self-entitled offering disappoints, namely in the area of guitar work. Richard Lloyd and Tom Verlaine were once the best collaboration of guitar players in rock. The clean, crisp, fluid electric guitar duel from the title track of 1977's Marquee Moon is one of the finest moments of the instrument's history in this form of music. This album offers decent riffs but generally the guitar parts flounder (e.i. the jumbled sound of "Mars" or the wandering musings of "Rhyme"). Even the more catchy riffs do not really take off as they once did. Also, Verlaine is not the vocalist he used to be. On this album, his voice sinks behind most of the instruments, but luckily his ability to write crafty, ironic lyrics is still in tow. Many of the elements that made Television one of the best bands of the punk movement are still here but ten years of rust has somewhat taken its toll.

grows on you
After listening to this album for several years, what keeps me coming back are the guitars. The monochrome guitar orchestrations of Marquee Moon have been replaced by an array of subtle tonal shadings and juxtapositions--amp vibrato, rotating speakers, etc.--a manifestation of Verlaine and Lloyd's growing guitar and amp collections, as well as their growing ears. Lyrically, the album is a sleeper. Verlaine's voice is warm and rich, but he lingers at a distance inside the quilted guitar textures. The lyrics and music work together to create a mood or an impression rather than a distinct portrait. There is also virtuosity, especially on Call Mr. Lee, where Richard Lloyd steps out to showcase the enormous chops he's developed over the previous years between albums. But even as he stings, he does not disrupt the smooth, reverbed texture. Billy Ficca is a much different drummer on this album, less active and kinetic on the hi-hat, mixed back in a supporting role while the guitars take the foreground.

Sleeper Cell
This one's a sleeper... Like a stalker whose been quietly following you for days & then suddenly decides to reveal himself to you when the shadows are just right.

It took me years to get "into" these guys. Riding in on the CBGB Punk wave, Television seemed far too "arty" for fans of The Ramones. Meanwhile, their lenghty jam oriented workouts only served to alienate Talking Heads enthusiasts. If anything, they took their cue from The Velvet Underground. While others were merely content with dropping Lou Reed's name, these guys took their cue from "Sister Ray" in the seemingly vain attempt of melding the inacessible with the radio friendly. The end result was a masterpeice called, Marquee Moon. After years of deliberately ignoring all the critical hype, they eventually found their way into my heart after a lull in barroom conversation. The song was, "Prove It". Now, I consider that record to be one of THE great Rock albums of all time.

Like their sophomore effort(Adventure), I find this self titled reunion to be terribly underrated. Back when Nirvana was all the rage, these guys unceremonioulsy reformed & just as suddenly disappeared forever. I'm sure the late 90's death of bassist, Fred "Sonic Smith" didn't much help the revival effort either. In short, this record isn't so much concerned with recapturing past glories as it is with testing of the waters after a 13 year hiatus. Call it an "experiement", if you will. Here, atmosphere takes the front seat to accessibility.

"1880 or so" begins with a catchy little riff that gets roughed up a bit in the ensuing, "Shane, she wrote this". Both feature juicy hooks & lyrics you can make sense of later. All of which sets the standard for the entire album. Suffice it to say, that inexplicable magic between guitarists Lloyd & Verlaine is still there. As for Billy Ficca & Fred Smith, time has only made their rock solid rhythmn section more subtle.

"Call Mr. Lee" features the album's most haunting character. This is the kind of guy you dial up when you're in some Film Noir caper of a bind. It could be Bruce Lee or some ingognito spy who fixes the mess you made. "Rhyme " captures Verlaine in Barry White mode while the rest of band backs him up in an eloquently sparse fashion. & I love the title, "No Glamour For Willie". Though I still haven't figured out what it's about narratively. Still, there's enough there to warrant further investigation. Where "Beauty Trip" swoons with "my heart goes bomp-bomp-bomp", "Mars" comes off like a wounded dog fighting off the hoardes of hell. It's enough to send a thousand Goth poseurs fumbling for their eyeliner. An ominous coda to a twilight world of a record.

Though this may not be something you listen to everyday, there's enough mystery and intrigue here to spare it from the bargain bin of your mind. One can only wonder what they would of done if they kept it up. And therin lies the real tragedy, if any.

Very good, but not Marquee Moon
It was certainly a good thing to see one of the truly great post-punk guitar bands of the late seventies get together again after a ten-plus year hiatus. But since Television was responsible for one of the greatest electric guitar albums of all time, Marquee Moon, expectations were impossibly high. Perhaps it takes a musician to truly appreciate the brilliance of early Television. The sheer inventiveness of Tom Verlaine's and Richard Lloyd's guitar interplay layered over the quirky pop sensibility of Verlaine's songwriting wrote an essential chapter in electric guitar rock history. There are precious few guitar duos that have created such a profound joint legacy. But this is not all that was remarkable about Television. Television was four creative musicians... and each played an essential part in creating the whole.

On Marquee Moon, Billy Ficca's unique approach to the drumset might again be only appreciated by a musician. The hi-hat, a pair of cymbals typically used as a rhythmic accent, was elevated to a central role equal to any drum in the set. Ficca's innovative use of the nuances of the hi-hat bring to my mind Roy Haynes subtle use of this instrument in jazz settings of the late sixties. This is the point where this 1992 Television album starts to reveal its failings. Ficca, who had proven himself a truly inventive drummer, plays on this album as if he was inspired by a metronome. I suspect Tom Verlaine wrote all of these songs before the band ever got together with the help of an electronic drum machine. I suspect Ficca was then forced to following the rote repetitiveness of Verlaine's pre-programmed machine, keeping him from the creative role he had earlier played. The effect is quite disappointing.

Another major weak point is the poor quality of Tom Verlaine's vocals. On the early albums, Verlaine's youthful intensity made up for his lack of pipes. On this album his voice seems to have weakened to the point of croaking unintelligibly, to a truly embarassing level on 'Mars'. But the opposite is true concering guitarist Richard Lloyd. Unlike Verlaine, who seems past his prime, Lloyd has grown impressively into a true guitar virtuoso, enhancing his previously keen inventiveness with jaw-dropping chops. And this is perhaps where this album shines best. Lloyd's contributions, especially his solo on the fourth tune, "Call Mr. Lee", inject real fire into Verlaine's tunes. This helps make "Call Mr. Lee" the equal of any of the great early tunes from Marquee Moon. This song alone justifies the price of the album. Where Lloyd is less prominent, the result seems more like some sorta-OK Tom Verlaine solo-career songs.

I wonder how great this reunion album could have been if Verlaine had in the interim period taken serious vocal training. Of course it would also have helped if he had thrown his drum machine into the trash, and spent the time writing these songs in the same room with the rest of Television. Maybe more of the old magic would have happened.

Flawed, but good
Compared with Marquee Moon and Adventure, I admit this one does tend to pale. Keep in mind though that the earlier albums were also two of the finest albums of their time and this album is by a band trying to get it together after a 12 year layoff. Call Mr. Lee is as good or better than anything from Verlaines solo career and In World, No Glamour for Willi and 1880 or So are also fine songs. The real treat was seeing the band perform these songs live. They took on new life and stood tall against the likes of See No Evil and Prove It. ... Read more

Album Description

Subtitled - Weird World Vol. 2 - 1977-1989. 16 trackscollection of rare studio and live recordings from theirown private bomb shelter celebrating Weirdo year 26, proofthat great things come to those who wait. Frontier. 2003. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

do the dance do the dance do the dance!
a truly amazing compilation with lots of previously unreleased tracks. there are a few songs off condor, but most are early 80's or late 70's. live versions of some familiar tunes like "destroy all music" along with experimental stuff that never made it beyond the stage. this runs the gammut through the weirdos entire range. awesome ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Huskers finest hour
For all of those who think Husker Du's best material didn't come until Zen Arcade or any of those horrible albums(Candy Apple Grey, Warehouse:Songs and Stories, basically anything after Metal Circus), and there are a lot of them, then you probably won't like this and you're a sad pop music lover. However, if you liked Land Speed Record(a classic), or any of the bands early singles, then get this quick, 'cause it kills. Every song is a gem of classic midwest HC vintage. Classics like the title track, blah blah blah, In A Free Land, aaaaahhhhh the whole cd is perfect. No jangly pop-punk here, just thick guitars, Bob and Grant screaming with soul burning conviction, and non-stop high speed thrashin', complete with extra tracks from early singles and a coupla unreleased tunes, this is a GREAT example of what Husker Du was capable of before New Day Rising, when it all started to really go downhill. Get this and play loud!!!!

Better than Land Speed Record
If you are curious about Husker Du, I would recommend buying "Metal Circus" or anything recorded after that. However, if you are interested in the band's formative years, this collection should satisfy. It basically consists of better-than-average ("From The Gut", "Blah, Blah, Blah", "In A Free Land", "Everything Falls Apart"), average ("Wheels", "Target", "Let's Go Die"), and totally forgetable ("Punch Drunk", "Bricklayer", "Statues") early-eighties hardcore. By the time "Zen Arcade" was recorded, Bob and Grant had matured considerably as songwriters. However, even if Husker Du's later material far outdistances the music on this collection, it's still worth adding to your collection, in my opinion.

One song extended with terrible singing
This ain't pretty and shouldn't even be bought by anybody. If you hear Bob Mould's singing through all the guitar noise you wouldn't be surprised - it doesn't sound good and sounds so laboured and forced. The guitars are good for 1 track but when there's little variation in them there's not a lot else you can admire in them. I tried New Day Rising as well and Mould's voice still sounds so forced. Avoid although if you are determined to buy something of this nature I'd suggest Sonic Youth's Confusion is Sex/Kill Yr Idols - it has a bit more bite to it

A faster,simplier , and harder HUSKER DU
Husker Du's first studio mini album, two singles, and unreleased stuff are the contents on this CD. I really enjoy it now, but it's not as good as the later stuff Husker Du did after "Zen Arcade". Instead of the pop filled Husker Du we hear on "Flip your wig", we hear an energy filled hardcore band that will make the blood rush to your head. "Punch Drunk" and "Bricklayer" are prime examples of what I'm talking about. Yet, there are some songs like the extremely melodic political "In a free land", the eight minute "Statues", and the depressing but good "Amusement" that stand out. I really dig this album a lot, but it's no where near Husker Du's best. If you're looking for a hardcore album you may like to check this out.

In A Free Land
This collection is possibly the worst thing this legendary band ever put out. Strictly for obsessives only. However, and it's a big however, it is graced by one of the finest ever melodic hardcore tracks. Yes, "In A Free Land," a rare foray into the non-personal, is 2 minutes or so of the most blistering, scorching melody-driven guitars you'll ever hear. What is remarkable is the year it was written: 1980 - streets ahead of its time. This really is worth buying just for the one song. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A Strong album
The album which most embodies Nirvana's sound, is a really good piece of work.Although they made a bad desicion and put electric drums on the album,(which really gives it its 80's sound) it still manages to work,despite the fact it didn't work for alot of bands. The album is really good when you're hanging out in your basement on a rainy day, or night. Overall it's a pretty "peppy" album, so it won't bring you down; it's happy, and all of its listenable, which is very contrary to their earlier stuff. In my opinion the first album on their way to greatness.

The heavy tunes don't really suit them
Monsters was the Meat Puppets' last album for independent record label SST records before going to a major label for their next album Forbidden Places. Up until this point in their career, the band's sound was becoming very diverse, combining country, punk, blues-rock, and psychedelia into their own unique sound. With Monsters, the band went into a heavier direction and while many of the songs here are good, the album overall doesn't have the staying power of their earlier releases Up On The Sun and Meat Puppets II or their breakthough album Too High To Die.

Many of the tracks here such as "Attacked By Monsters", "The Void", and the haphazard instrumental "Flight of the Fire Weasel" all feature wicked riffs and are among the heaviest songs they've ever recorded. But while these songs are decent and feature wild guitar work from Curt Kirkwood, it's the more melodic material that works best here. The tracks "In Love", "Light", and especially "Touchdown King" are all great songs which combine Kirkwood's guitar work with memorable melodies. Other tracks such as "Meltdown" and the dreamy closer "Like Being Alive" are decent as well. The tracks "Strings on Your Heart" and "Party Til the World Obeys" are unmemorable which is surprising considering the consistently strong material that usually comprises their albums. While this album is decent, they've released much better albums than this and only "Touchdown King" is among their best work.

Worth It For "Touchdown King"
Monsters was probably the low point for the Meat Puppets in their original incarnation (in other words, not counting Golden Lies, which I have never heard).They were probably reacting to the times, which were really a depressing middle ground between the great post-punk explosion of the mid-80's -- which might be the pinnacle of post-60's rock music and of which they were a leading force -- and the emergence of Nirvana a year after this album.As a result this album abandons the sharp kick of their mid-80's releases and resorts to heavy rock with heavy production to match.The songs are all good, but not what you would expect after classics like "Split Myself in Two," "Plateau," and "Swimming Ground."And the pop brilliance that would reemerge on Forbidden Places and Too High to Die is mostly lost in the heavy mix.

The highlight is clearly "Touchdown King," which recalls the more melodic and brighter material of Up on the Sun.By stretching out this song with some guitar solos, they really do sound like the Grateful Dead of Punk, which I have heard them called.

It's still well worth owning but only after you've gotten their best albums which are, in order, Meat Puppets II, Up on the Sun and Too High to Die along with the mid-level albums Huevos, Mirage and Forbidden Places, which are also superior to this one.

Arguably the Mup's most dull offering.
Maybe I'm in the minority here, but this record just sounds dull and uninspired. The sound here is based around cheesy outdated 80's metal for the most part. Just awful production with no real push to it... I just seriously dislike this record. The lyrics sound boring and forced, which just doesn't feel like Curt Kirkwood's style to me. I'm all about growing as an artist, but this record should have been out of print long ago.

There are a few somewhat redeeming monets, though. "Light" is a pleasant enough song, and "Touchdown King" is a fine example of their mid-period sound at it's best. "Party Till The World Obeys" is *almost* a really good song... but the lackluster production turns it into a boring thud. The best bet on this record is the acoustic "Like Being Alive"... even though that would have been the weak link on any previous album.

Some swear by this record... I just swear *at* it for being such a wasted oppurtunity.

Likable, but still, weird
After being dissapointed by a Meat Puppets concert, I went and listened to Meat Puppets "Monsters" to make sure that I still enjoyed them. "Monsters" is a mix of psycadellia and punk. The first song "Attacked by Monsters" is by far the best, with a great chorus, and great guitar work. The songs "Light" an "In Love" sound alike, but they are still great. Also is a very Alice In Chains like song "The Void" and the 70's guitar driven instrumental "Flight of the Weasel". Over all, although I think the band new line-up and music is really bad, "Monsters" is still good. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Calling all Punk Fans
where to start y'all. If you like JT, if you ever wanted to check the guy out, if you like the NY Dolls, if you like old punk, if you like Rock N Roll guitar, get this CD. It has the best collection of Johnny Thunders/Heartbreakers hits from long deleted vinyl singles,B-sides, live albums, and full length albums that are near impossible to get on cd. While every song rules, "Pirate Love", the Ramones co-written "Chinese Rocks", and acoustic "...Arms Around A Memory" standout.While most newly released JT cd's are mearly low quality bootlegs of the same few shows, where JT is usually "Out of it" this collection focuses on him at his wonderful best. Get it, rock out, then search for his other releases. You will like this if you are a Clash, Hanoi, NY Doll, Ramones, Pistols fan!@# ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Best Doo Wop group in the world!
Every recording on this CD is BETTER than the original. You must buy this CD.

acappellahour.tripod.com

This is a Great CD!!!
This is a wonderful CD! The Alley Cats take some already great songs and make them better. Wonderfuly music and great sound!

GREAT MUSIC!!!!!!!
This is a wonderful CD. The Alley Cats take some already great songs and make them better. Wonderful catchy tunes and a great sound!

I Love this CD!
I never knew I was an oldies fan until I heard The Alley Cats! The music is great! My friends and I love it! My favorite song on this CD is The Lion Sleeps Tonight. I want everybody to get this CD! It's really cool!

Great CD!
I think "60 Minute Man" is the best song on this CD. It's clever, catchy, and funny. The vocals on this CD are so tight, you would swear there were instruments in the background. I'm a big Acapella fan now! The Alley Cats are the best! I would tell everyone to get this CD. You won't regret it! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Fast, Loud, and Hard. What more could you ask for?
This is a great CD of classic punk for those who were there, or those who want to know. What's not to like about this? The songs are undeniable classics of American punk. If you don't like this CD, then you are definitely looking in the wrong genre. It delivers the goods; fast, loud, hardcore punk. The enegery is pure, strong, and may even have you end up slamming your head against the wall in a brutal, frenzied effort to channel the pure speed and force of Mission of Burma.

album is terrible dont get it
This album is not worth your money. Do not get it...it suck

almost essential...worth P.O.A. for Dicks, Bad Brains, MDC
Seriously, wanna here unbrideled passion, the likes of which has yet to be rivaled in any musical statement before or after? Listen to the Dicks Hate the Police, and feel the chills up your spine (whether you agree with their message or not). MDC plays the classic John Wayne Was a Nazi, and by God, you'll believe em!! Pay To Cum by the Bad Brains is still the best thing they've done, and the original "fastest song ever". Buy this! (or acquire it somehow!) ... Read more

Album Description

Punkzilla is Nitro Records third budget CD compilation andfeatures 6 unreleased or non-LP tracks, including a hiddenVandals interview and enhanced video of A.F.I.'s 'Days OfThe Phoenix'! Artists here are A.F.I., Damned, Offspring,One Hit Wonder, Guttermouth, Son Of Sam, T.S.O.L., Vandals& more. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Possibly the greatest Punk Comp of all time
Punkzilla is, in a word, amazing. The record grabs you with the oppening notes of A.F.I.'s unreleased masterpeice "Dream of Walking," one of their most powerful tunes. Next is one of my personal favorites, The Damned's "Domocracy?" a classic that could easily compete with "New Rose" as their greatest song ever. Eighteen more tracks of pure brilliance follow, ranging from the quirky humor punk of Guttermouth's "Hit machine," to hardcore punk to T.S.O.L.'s brilliant "Wasted." for punk fans, this comp is a must.

Nice Punk Compilation
Punkzilla showcases some nice tunes by artists such as Guttermouth and The Offspring. While not a must have album, punk fans will still probably like this one. My personal favorites are "Not The Same" (Bodyjar), "Still" (Rufio), and "Misunderstanding Maybe" (Divit).

Nitro's answer to Punk-O-Rama 5
Yes, the name is stupid and the cover is corny, but this is one of the best compilations I have ever heard. Punkzilla has something for everyone. From AFI and Son of Sam and their goth/ hardcore punk to Guttermouth and the Vandals and their humor/ skate punk, this CD even includes two Offspring songs from the band's ST album of 1989, recently re-released by Nitro Records. The compilation introduces several new bands on Dexter Holland's label and features the videos to AFI's "The Days of the Phoenix" and Bodyjar's "Not the Same". Punkzilla is much better than Nitro's previous "Thought Remains the Same" and "Go Ahead Punk... Make My Day". This CD is better than most of the Punk-O-Rama's, but not #5, which is probably the best compilation of all time, along with Punkzilla. Get Punkzilla and Punk-O-Rama 5, 48 songs in all, for only [a few] bucks.

Punkzilla The Compilation to Remeber
PUNKZILLA, yes I will agree that has to be one of the corniest titles I've herd but anyone with appreciation for punk will appreciate the Godzilla reference. This monster of a compilation is the best 5 bucks I have spent this month. I couldn't of burned a better CD myself. Why am I so excited about this compilation with a cheesy cover? Because as all of you already know its not the cover that matters. Nitro put everyone on it's recent compilation, of course that's the point of a compilation...but still. AFI "Dream of Waking" and "Days of Phoenix" open and close the track list with "Wester" right in the middle. The Offspring and The Damned get a fair shot of 2 tracks a piece. Unfortunately The Vandals only had two tracks also but that's no prob because everyone should own every Vandal CD/Album/ Tape ever. Other artist included TSOL, Rufio, Bodyjar, Son of Sam, Stavesacre, Ensign and Guttermouth... The best tracks are "Behind the Music" and "Wester" but overall this Compilation Rocks in every way imaginable. Pick it up for the price of meal at McDonalds and be happy forever!!!! ... Read more