epitaph. 86407 / 28 tracks / 1990

+ lyric sheet. first pressing has a thick brown paper cover. A UK pressing was sold in the US around 85/86 - back cover says: “Made In The Uk - Distributed In The United States By Suite Beat”. The “80-85” CD has all LP tracks and adds the first 7”, Back to the Known 12” and three bonus tracks (different versions). 2004 CD reissue is remastered and only has the debut EP tracks as bonus.

Their first LP, and it’s an instant classic. Great melodic West Coast Punk/HC, lots of melodies but also with lots of power and drive. This is simpler and rougher than their later releases, but I’m sure many people prefer this to their catchier and poppy recordings. [8]

Die erste Bad Religion LP und gleich auf Anhieb ein Volltreffer; toller California-Punk, melodisch, aber doch mit Härte und Drive. Bestimmend auch hier schon Greg Graffins Stimme, die für diese Zeit ungewöhnlich ’musikalisch’ und klar ist. Etwas einfacher als die späteren Sachen, aber trotzdem ein Klassiker.

Tracks: we’re only gonna die / latch key kids / part III / faith in god / fuck armageddon… this is hell / pity / in the night // damned to be free / white trash (2nd generation) / american trash / eat your dog / voice of god is government / oligarchy / doin’ time