[net.music] Minutemen Review

michaelf@ISM780.UUCP (03/19/85)

   "Double Nickles on the Dime" by the Minutemen.

    Great album.

    The Minutemen are a trio ( drums, guitar, bass) out of San
    Pedro, CA which I think is just south of El Lay. With only
    three instruments, it's only fair to warn you that if you
    played this disc for a roomful of ears, a few mouths would
    say, "All the songs sound the same". While this MAY be true,
    it comes down to a matter of style, I guess. They don't all
    sound the same to me.

    Each song is no longer than 2-3 minutes and a lot of them are
    less than a minute and a half (is THAT where they got their
    name?) They offer no choruses and a lot of their lyrics are
    "Punk" in nature, i.e., war, government and traditional
    values suck. The other lyrics are banal, silly, and fun.
    These guys don't take themselves seriously so they can get
    away with it.

    Don't expect to sing along with any of the songs as they are
    quite unpredictable in terms of flowing at an anticipated
    pace, although "Jesus and Tequila" may get you swaying.
    For what it's worth, "Political Song for Michael Jackson" is
    my favorite song on the album. Why not request that song on
    your radio and check it out before you buy?

    There are over ten songs on each side. It's a double album so
    you'll get over 40 songs for your money. I just bought a copy
    on sale for 9 bucks. I like it when I get more than 5 songs
    on a side ala Elvis Costello's "Get Happy".

    I think an album is a good investment if I can find four
    songs on it that I'll want to play again. This is a great
    investment in that case.

    So there.


 P.S.   I recently saw Kommunity FK, TSOL, Fishbone and the
        Minutemen at the Club Lingerie in Hollywood. From just
        what I saw, I recommend only the Minutemen.  Most of the
        "non-hardcore punk" sounds almost as monotonous as the
        the "hardcore punk" stuff. I love dark sounding things
        but only if it's good.

        I don't have their album YET, but from what I've heard on
        the radio, the Beatfarmers are also very good. Again,
        from what I've heard on the radio. Someone buy their
        album and let me know, dammit.

pat@mtu.UUCP (Pat Waara) (03/21/85)

>    "Double Nickles on the Dime" by the Minutemen.
> 
>     Great album.
> 
      Yes, it is very good!
> 
> 
>  P.S.   I recently saw Kommunity FK, TSOL, Fishbone and the
>         Minutemen at the Club Lingerie in Hollywood. From just
>         what I saw, I recommend only the Minutemen.  Most of the
>         "non-hardcore punk" sounds almost as monotonous as the
>         the "hardcore punk" stuff. I love dark sounding things
>         but only if it's good.
   
     I'm not familiar with Kommunity FK or Fishbone; however, I am a
     fan of TSOL.  I'm surprised that you did not recommend them,
     especially because of your comment "I love dark sounding things..."
     because TSOL has a dark sound, and they are very good.

     May I recommend their latest album: "Change Today". 
     A somewhat short album (30+ minutes) consisting of about 10
     excellent songs.  I would say this album is must buy for any 
     person of alternative tastes.

                                                Pat Waara

          "...life is action, so go make it happen, 'cause
                 your fate is up to you."