Now this is THE ONE record that re-defined punk for me. Once and for all. Never to be the same again (and THE eyeopener that a much greater, diverse and fresher sound exists accross in the US of A).
The verdict:
1977 – not needed at all, this comes from the core that re-ignited punk.
published by a cool lable – damn yes, this is New Alliance Records (owned by The Minutemen’s D. Boon and Mike Watt), home to Hüsker Dü’s ground breaking “Land Speed Record”
found in a cool shop – ticked, Uli Rehberg imported this for Konneckschen in 1983!
catching sound – Yes, hardcore with the Californian smile – never been done smarter!
not too bad words – not too bad? They are fucking brilliant: personal, touchy and direct! And, punk to the bone, they are about love, endless love and painfull love! Heartbreaking!
collectors value – none, but a cover that defined a genre!
Is there any value in rating the songs? Mhhh – “Suburban Home” and “Hope” are catchiest but “Bikeage” has the fuckin’ best lyrics:
Running out of time again Where did you go wrong this time? When your problems overwhelm you Go get drunk it's party time Take a quaalude, relax your mind Relax your body too Run from your problems but you'll never get away No one loves you, and you wonder why? Sitting there with your mouth full of beer Your eyes are glazed, your face is red Who's gonna pick you up and use you for tonight? When you're on the streets with a needle in your arm Selling your body for another fix Who's gonna pick you up and take you home with them tonight? You're running out of breath again you're an old maid, you're only 15 You're losing your little girl's charm Cry all night but you'll never get it back Don't be afraid, it's not too late Save yourself, I need you here Wearing off, wearing out I can't think about this cause it makes me sick Sitting there with your mouth full of beer Your eyes are glazed, your face is red Who's gonna pick you up and use you for tonight? Not me! Not me! When you're on the streets with a needle in your arm Selling your body for another fix Who's gonna pick you up and take you home with them tonight? Not me! Not me! Not me! Not me!Not me! Not me! Not me!
(c) 1982 Descendents / New Alliance Music (BMI)
So come on, cheer me up:
This is a funny interview after their return (ie. Milo back from college and his doctorate in biochemistry) – the setup and the looks: priceless!