Hardcore and Punk music reviews

I bought every single one of the albums on this cd back when they originally came out. I listened to them over and over and over and over. I preached the gospel of Minor Threat to everybody that would listen. Some thought I was crazy, others got on board.

I am currently a professor at a small private college. Every time a student enters my classroom and defines themselves as 'punk' I ask them in they own any Minor Threat. If they say 'no,' I demand that they get a copy of this CD and report back to me. Some think I'm crazy, others get on board.

I suspect I'll still be listening to Minor Threat when I am old and grey.

Ian MacKaye pours his guts out, pukes and craps on them, then swallows it all in case any of you yuppies forgot what punk is about. By far the best punk album I have ever encountered, I continue to kick myself for the 10 years that I was deprived of this. OK, I was 6 months old at release, but is that a valid excuse? Hardcore, yet thought provoking, your life sucks if you willfully deny this.

Anyone should be able to understand that Ian was pretty passionate and probably still is about life and society's constraints. Youthful angst at it's height. You can really feel his emotion. And if you must get stoned or @!$#!#$'d up somehew, this music is infectious and grows every listen. Between this and Damaged by Black Flag, there is no better hardcore in my opinion. Buy them both if you can.

I love this CD. The Aquabats have a great fun way of playing music and telling silly stories. The CD has a lot of funny songs like The Cat With Two Heads. The entire CD will have you smiling and feeling like dancing.

Although none of their albums are bad, this is by far the best one. The Fury of the Aquabats is 13 amazing songs that are hilarious and great to sing along to as well as 2 cool instrumental songs and one song im not crazy about (Attacked By Snakes). If you have the slightest liking for ska, funny music or just upbeat, fun music that makes you happy then this would easily be my number one reccommendation for you. All you need to do is pop it in and no matter how you were feeling before... you are guaranteed a smile after the first couple of seconds of Super Rad. It is just impossible to be sad when listening to these guys. My favorite songs are Super Rad, Red Sweater, Captain Hampton..., Story of Nothing, Idiot Box, My Skateboard, Lobster Bucket & Theme Song. This not only their best album but one of the best ska albums as well.

It seems like no matter what these guys come up against, they still manage to put on a great live show and release awesome albums.

The Fury Of The Aquabats is probably one of my favorite albums that the band has ever released. Even if these guys aren't on a major record label with tons of funding behind them, they put their heart and soul into the music... which fans can really respect!

If you're ready for some funky up-beat ska music, I'd encourage you to purchase The Fury Of The Aquabats today. You won't be wasting any money by investing in these guys, i promise!

I rank Double Nickels on the Dime in the top ten albums released in the 80's. I am very glad I held onto my vinyl because for reasons I can't fathom, two songs on the original release are not on this reissue, which is why I am not giving it the five stars this album deserves.

Minutemen really were not like any other band, except perhaps early Wire, so it's hard to compare them to anyone. This album is generally, and rightfully, considered their masterpiece - this is their best synthesis of funk, punk, noise, folk, rock, and whatever else crossed their fertile minds during the feverish recording of this 45-song double (vinyl anyway) album.

Frankly, volumes have been written about this one already and mostly it's all correct - as long as it's saying that this is truly one of the greatest albums ever. It's like ten careers' worth of ideas got crammed into just short of 80 minutes of the most fascinating rock music ever created.

So what's the deal with the missing tracks? Well, I am not going to lie to you. If you ever see this album in some vinyl bin, grab it because both these songs are as good as several relatively weaker songs that are on the reissue:

"Mr. Robot's Holy Orders (Hurley/Watt)" - this was track 3, side 3 ("side george" - the inner clear part of the vinyl has "DANCE MUSIC IS THE NEW PASTURE" etched into it). This is a great funky song that would have been far better here than, say, the god-awful cover version of Doctor Wu (which remains the one song on this album I don't like). But the exclusion of this track is nowhere near as egregious as the absence of ...

"Ain't Talking 'Bout Love" - (Van Halen) yes, this is the version to have. The one on "Tour Speil" was nowhere near as hilarious as this. They bashed out a 38-second version of it which was originally on side 4 (untitled - "CHUMP ROCK IS THE NEW COOL"), and it kills me that they left it off this reissue!!! The song is 38 seconds long! There is plenty of room on the CD for it, and "Mr Robot's Holy Orders" for that matter. (total running time of this album: 74:50 - ATBL would have been no problem at all) It can't be a copyright issue - their other version of the same song is available on Project Mersh Vol. 3. What gives???

That is the only gripe I have with what is still an album for the ages.

By the way, side 1 was "side d." - "ARENA ROCK IS THE NEW WAVE" and side 2 was "side watt" - "PUNK ROCK IS THE NEW NOSTALGIA".

Buy this album. Make a gift of it to anyone who calls him/herself open-minded.

If the show Jackass ever did anything worth admiring, it was choosing "Corona" by Minutemen as it's theme. At two and a half minutes, it's one of the longer tracks on this nearly 45 track album. It's also one of the more conventional punk anthem's they've done, considering how far the horizons stretch when it comes to this band and being creative.

Not to sound pretentious, but Minutemen are someone I admire because they seem like me. That is, they seem to get awfully bored, really quickly. That may just be an allusion created by this bands short and brilliant bursts. Tracks like "Cohesion" are an example--here, in between these polka-influenced punk songs, we get an arpeggiated Spanish guitar demonstration. And, somehow, it works beautifully.

"Nature Without Man" seems to outdue everything Pearl Jam every did, in just over 90 seconds. "Love Dance", along with "Jesus and Tequila" treat us to some blues; and "Do You Want New Wave Or Do You Want the Truth" is just as inspirational as any hymnal.

It's sad that in this "Jackass" generation Mr. Boon and his companions have been forgotten. Minutemen are comprised of ideas, and not just power chords (though, they do those damn well too!). I've tried to introduce this album to the "punks" that I know, but they're so easily turned off when they don't hear pop punk that's been taught to them as though 20 songs about the bands girlfriends have substance; it seems the punk mentality has died.

Very few albums span across so many genre's with this type of skill and tenacity (if you know of some I may not, please tell me). Everything here seems so incoherrent that it begs for repeated listens; begs for that "shuffle" button, too. It should also beg for your attention. Beg to turn your head to a past time, where emotional and political music didn't have to be covered by a label or a haircut or a t-shirt.

DOUBLE NICKELS ON THE DIME ('84) stuffs 43 short songs on two LP's or one CD. The album meshes quite a variety of musical styles: punk, funk, spoken bits, jazzy instrumentation, folk, and even polka!

The MINUTEMEN accomplish this masterpiece album because of its three outstanding musicians - D. BOON (vox, guitar), MIKE WATT (bass, vox), and GEORGE HURLEY (drums, percussion), as well as other guest musicians.

Key tracks include: VIETNAM, POLITICAL SONG FOR MICHAEL JACKSON TO SING, CORONA (*note: The theme music for "JACKASS"), HISTORY LESSON PT. 2, JESUS & TEQUILA, DO YOU WANT NEW WAVE OR DO YOU WANT THE TRUTH?, MAYBE PARTYING WILL HELP.

If you stack this album up against any/all of today's weak & soggy music (i.e. video/pop hits), then you'll discover an album that stands head-and-shoulders above this unfortunate lull in current musical trends...This album more than makes up for today's lack of creativity in most forms of music. Buy it - try it!!!!!

I'm going to be straight up, the title says it all. Thrice was a great band, Illusion of Safety is one of the most incredable albums ever. Now they sound like every other band out there today. Personally I Hate emo, I grew out of that crap along time ago. I'm sorry if I offend people in saying that. I just dont see any talent in it. Thrice used to be my favorite band. Being a guitarist myself, I enjoyed Identity Crisis' true hardcore sound, and Illusion of Safety's amazing creativity, but the Artist in the Ambulance and this new CD are crap. If your emo, then give it a shot, but if your sick of the new-age emo crap you can't avoid every time you turn on the radio, put this album back. It's time to move on Thrice fans. They came.. they rocked.. there done.

This is Thrice's best CD. They are four dudes from Cali all with amazing talent and Dustin is a very intelligent and emotional frontman. If you've heard their new singles from Vheissu on the radio or something and want to know what I (and a lot of other people) consider real, old school "Thrice" then this is the album to pick up.

From start to finish it's just fantastic. I listen to just about everything except country and as far as punk/metal goes, this should be the freakin' standard.

Thrice has grown and evolved emensely. Sometimes it's hard to think the same band made Illusion of Safety and Vheissu, but I still love them and think that they are one of the BEST bands in modern music.

Check out their DVD that accompained If We Could Only See Us Now for a good telling of their backstory.

Bottom line: Thrice is amazing and The Illusion of Safety just plain rocks.

A righteous effort by Thrice. The guitars blaring are pretty good, but the way the lead guitarist rips through the rythm with brief but sharp solos is even better. You can interpet the vocals as either being different in a good way, or different in a bad way. Personally I think the screaming goes perfect with the instruments. Whatever. 5 stars

afi is my favorite band. this is one of there great EPs. resembles Black Sails in the Sunset, but different. my 2 favorites are Halloween (Misfits cover), and Totalimmortal. great EP.

PS anyone no were i can buy afi's weight of words CD w/ 25 rare b-sides? write a review w/ info please. thanx.
i'm out

when i buy an e.p. i usually expect 1 maybe 2 good songs, a couple boring ones and basically something to snack on while waiting for the full length. and since they are only usually about 5 bucks, you cant go wrong. but all hallows is 12 minutes of the best afi material they ever released. while i guess its alot harder to make a perfect ep than a perfect album, this ep is perfect, every song on here is on my top ten favorite afi songs list. the sound of this album is slightly faster than black sails, but for the most part the style is very similar, except a little darker and creepier, hence all hallows. Alot of people say this sounds just like the misfits, not quite... i see the similarities, maybe fall children does a little. but seriously this is afi not the misfits. the ep starts with a creepy guitar riff that sets the mood immediatly. then it bursts into fall children; catchy, fast and energized. fall children was a fan song, and songs dedicated to fans are always great. then we go into a cover of the misfits halloween, fun song, probably the worst on the ep just because its not afi. The funny thing is that i think its better than the misfits version. The song is followed by spooky noises; it sounds like someone is strumming piano strings when you listen close, but it always makes me think of a haunted house. this goes on for a couple minutes, so it can get tiresome, but its cool, i think its a cool edition to the ep. then we get the boy who destroyed the world, some of the best lyrics afi ever wrote. this one is a little slower than the previous two, but probably better than the last two. last is totalimmortal, possibly afis best song. its the best one on here and one listen will confirm that for you. its fast, catchy, and magnificent. its by no way a cliche song, daveys vocals go all over the place. and he has something of a duet with jade who has a ghostly voice. When this ends, the only thing youll be thinking is "why didnt they write 8 more songs and make this a full length?" because 8 more songs of this calibur while may be immpossible, would make the best best album ever im pretty sure. so basically these are 4 songs that will stay with you forever, go get this, its just as good as any full length.

Okay, so basically, this EP sounds like a Misfits album, only the songs intelligent and are better written. I'm not saying anything bad about the Misfits. I like The Misfits, but this is just better. The best song on here, in my opinion, has to be 'Fall Children'. I can listen to that one over and over again, and not get bored of it. I also really like their cover of 'Halloween', and 'The Boy Who Destroyed The World'. 'Totalimmortal' is alright, but it gets boring after a while. Overall, this is definately worth the 5 bucks I payed for it. If you're a fan of punk rock, you will really like this CD. If you're a fan of AFI's new stuff, you probably won't like this CD too much.

If Iggy Pop helped, as he has claimed, "to wipe out the 60s," Bob Mould, Grant Hart and Greg Norton then helped to bring it back. That is, this band managed to expand upon the musical/emotional/cathartic possibilities in high speed hardcore by drawing upon 60s (and 70s) psychedelic and hard rock influences. For instance, elsewhere, the band cover such iconic 60s performers as Donovan (Sunshine Superman) and the Byrds (Eight Miles High).

Here, such influences abound. For example, Dreams Reoccurring's psychedelic guitar freak out is followed by the absolute hardcore pounding of the great Indecision Time. Hare Krishna - based on the street chant by the well known western Hindu cult - then combines the hardcore, the psychedelic, and the religious even; just listen to Mould's crazy and unbelievable guitar playing on it. And then, a few cuts later, the song Pride. You can practically envision the band levitating off the floor of the recording studio, and it demands that you turn the volume way up, and maybe blow out a window or two to your house, till your neighbors come over, screaming at you to TURN DOWN THE NOISE. And this you cannot do, as you are caught up in a Husker Du trance. Such is the power of this 1984 masterpiece.

This then was the record that made me a huge fan of this group, and I will always be convienced that this remains one of rock's classic recordings by one of its all time greatest bands. I have mixed feelings about the idea of a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but given that it exists to enshrine the greats of rock history, I predict that one day Husker Du will be enshrined there, and deservedly so.

Current day punk bands, I challenge you all to do anything half as raw and intense as this, I absolutely challenge you!

I bought this when it came out in the 80's and was blown away. Why was no one else listening to this? Why wasn't this being played on the radio? Why was everyone else listening to Poison, Motley Crue and the endless parade of hair bands and not Zen Arcade?
To this day, this remains one of those recordings that will always stand the test of time. Mould, Hart and Norton put this out in almost one take and blew away whoever was listening in the music industry(unfortunately not many). Total power from the opening track "Something I Learned Today" to the final mind bending second of "Reoccuring Dreams." Nothing in between disappoints, with standout tracks in Grant Hart's "Pink Turns to Blue" and the legendary "Turn on the News", to Bob Mould's gut wrenching vocals in "Chartered Trips" and "Indecision Time."
"Never talking to You Again" remains a classic, and seeing that Mould and Hart have barely been on speaking terms since the breakup of Husker Du several years after Zen Arcade, was quite prophetic.
1984 is a long time ago, but Zen Arcade sounds just as good as it did when it was released. Pure emotion, excellant songwriting, and some of the most ferocious and disturbing guitar that has ever been recorded has earned this record an esteemed place in rock and roll history.
Husker Du was one of the greatest bands of all time. Their music remains crucial and influenced a string of less talented, but commercially successful, bands in the 90's. To truly appreciate Zen Arcade play the whole CD through, play it loud and feel the power and emotion in what can only be described as a "sonic masterpiece."

Its kind of hard to explain. IN 1984 there was a division. A division between the bands on the radio and the bands touring the country. A division that lead lots of kids to give up on mainstream music and try to be in bands outside the mainstream- damn the consequences. Husker Du along side bands like the minutemen, Black Flag, Flesheaters, DOA, Avengers, Dead Kennedys, and many many more- it became apparent that these overlooked bands we better musicians then the top 40 of the day. Not only could they play there instuments better compare such works as "dancing on the ceiling" (same time period) to "Turn on the news". Which is more relevant now? Someone else mentioned "Our band could be your life" the book-read it now you'll understand. But back then no one sounded like this. Not punk, not heavy metal this was something new. Yes i do admit it, this does sound a bit dated. Still it is required listening to those who would understand the punk/hardcore of the 80's or the 90's the years that "punk broke".

Static Age is the very first Misfits album, and it's them sounding more sophisticated than ever. Believe me, this is different than Walk Among Us, and MUCH different than Earth AD/Wolfsblood. This is where The Misfits had a punk sound, but also fused with something that sounds more like slower 50's/60's rock & roll. Like I said, there are slower songs on this album. But does that mean it's bad? Hell no! It's Misfits dammit!
Whether you're a punk fan, or just a straight up rock & roll fan, this album will suit you well. It contains some of my absolute favorite Misfits songs, like (my overall favorite)Hybrid Moments, TV Casualty, We Are 138, Come Back, Angelf*ck, Attitude, Theme For A Jackyl, She, and In the Doorway.
Yes, even when they were just starting, Misfits had something that no one else had. It's just a special essence in them that no one else had, and it makes them better than alot(and I do mean ALOT) of other bands, back then and even today. Right now, I can't choose between Walk Among Us and this as a favorite Misfits album, but I highly recommend you buy both albums. Hell, buy it all!
Happy listening!

A great album with all the classic 'Fits songs like "Last Caress", "We Are 138", and "Teenagers From Mars". Not to mention the rare "In the Doorway", which has really great vocals from Glenn. The "Studio Screw-ups"is cool too.

The Misfits is just a great rock and roll band. I m very enthusiatic with bands that put in first place, not matter what, to the songs,.. such as Nirvana, Ramones... I think "The Misfits" is among them. Static Age is the best example of The Misfits' songwriting ability. Misfits' songs are complete: good lyrics, catchy groove, balls, edgy, original, intellectual, violent, honest,...and (what most rock and roll bands forget..) FUN!!!!

yes, i believe that this is BR's pinnacle. they were at their top game here. the album starts awesome, but kind of drops off near the last few songs....the closer "walk away" is amazing though! i think that suffer and no control beat this one, but being 3rd or 4th isnt bad. i believe that the only album to come close to the holy trinity is "stranger than fiction." i recommend this to all punk rock fans. BR was on a roll, but sadly this was the last truly amazing thing they made until stranger than fiction.

process and beleif and empire strikes first are also noteworthy.

This album is like having sex with a supermodel, except she keeps using big words. I'm pretty sure I know every word and note by heart.

Bad Religion is one the finest bands in Punk Rock. Their longevity is testament to this fact. Against the Grain is the best Bad Religion album ever. BR's Songwriting on this album is top notch as usual, with lyrics that blast the status quo and leave the listener ready to start a revolution. The music a fast paced, and the guitar work is some of the best in the genre, with foot-tapping riffs and transitions the happen so smoothly you wpnder what the hell just happened.

yes, i believe that this is BR's pinnacle. they were at their top game here. the album starts awesome, but kind of drops off near the last few songs....the closer "walk away" is amazing though! i think that suffer and no control beat this one, but being 3rd or 4th isnt bad. i believe that the only album to come close to the holy trinity is "stranger than fiction." i recommend this to all punk rock fans. BR was on a roll, but sadly this was the last truly amazing thing they made until stranger than fiction.

process and beleif and empire strikes first are also noteworthy.

This album is like having sex with a supermodel, except she keeps using big words. I'm pretty sure I know every word and note by heart.

Bad Religion is one the finest bands in Punk Rock. Their longevity is testament to this fact. Against the Grain is the best Bad Religion album ever. BR's Songwriting on this album is top notch as usual, with lyrics that blast the status quo and leave the listener ready to start a revolution. The music a fast paced, and the guitar work is some of the best in the genre, with foot-tapping riffs and transitions the happen so smoothly you wpnder what the hell just happened.

everyone seems to think that this is a REALLY good metal album. i may not be giving it enough of a chance or something, but in my opinion this album is just irritating. they seem to have no concept sync and rythm. the vocalist sounds like he's stuck in a large metal tube that makes his voice both grating and hollow. amazon went as far as comparing this band to Slayer, but this band isn't good enough to lick the sweat from Kerry King's butt cheak. If you like Slayer, and you hate crap, then you won't like this cd either.

This is the real deal. O where to begin. "Jane Doe" is easily the most innovative, complex, poetic, brutal, and flat out craziest album in heavy music today. No where will you hear anything similar to Converge's trademark sound.

I can't even think of anything to write, it's beyond words you just have to experience it for yourself. If you have a taste for heavy music and/or a very musically open mind you will find yourself absolutely loving Converge. Guarantee it.

Converge is a respected band for good reason, and their album 'Jane Doe' solidified their status as a band truly at the forefront of their scene. Unlike most other bands in the hardcore genre, Converge has an honest punk rock element that is integral to their sound, which is completely stripped down (think Black Flag meets Slayer). Vocalist Jacob Bannon's unnerving, blood-curdling screams are at once horrifying and unique, and he is backed by one of the tighest bands playing music today.

There is no way to understand what Converge are doing upon one or two listens, or even five. Some songs take longer to sink in than others, but rest assured, every track on 'Jane Doe' is significant, even the drum-and-vox attack of "Phoenix In Flames". "Concubine" opens like a declaration of war, but much of the album is moody and subdued, even in the midst of soaring punk rockers such as "Distance and Meaning" and "Homewrecker" (although the speed-metal assault of "Fault And Fracture" is some of the heaviest playing ever recorded).

It's when the band indulges these conflicting elements (the bone-shredding heaviness and heartbreaking resignation) rather than toys with them, that the album truly shines. "Heaven In Her Arms" is hardcore punk at its moodiest, aptly expressing the rage that accompanies loss. "Hell To Pay" grooves reluctantly through its alone-at-night verses with guitar work that recalls the best of Alice In Chains. Jacob Bannon's signature panther-shrieks are at their most startling during the abrasive "Thaw," accompanied by a wandering acid-core riff that sounds like the music of some insane circus. Meanwhile, the best song on the album, "Phoenix In Flight", is pure Sabbath-inspired doom-rock at its slowest and scariest, beginning like a death-sob and slowly drifting into a volcanic eruption of bleeding distortion and detuned chugging over galloping drums that march the listener towards the end of the line, passing up a crumbling galaxy along the way. "Jane Doe," the title track, is rightfully one of the band's most legendary songs, offering over eleven minutes of intensity, resignation, catharsis...somehow balancing every element of what has come before in one all-encompassing track.

When the album concludes, one can't help but be amazed by the performance of these musicians, who demonstrate a clear technical superiority over their peers while remaining true to a punk rock heritage. What one gets from Converge is raw, brutal power backed up by musical integrity. This is ugliness and despair at its most beautiful.