sst records. 028 / 45 tracks / 1984

First pressing has a heavy cardboard sleeve (brown on the inside).

Released just after Hüsker Dü’s Zen Arcade double LP, this is the Minutemen’s answer to their label mate’s legendary album (“take that, hüskers!” says a note on the cover). Intellectual and complex punk/guitar sound that frequently questions the limits of the genre and adds influences that range from rock to jazz and funk. Less edgy and austere than their previous records; some of this is sincerely beautiful music. Their best record even though you need some patience to listen through all of it. (bj) [9] A double album with 45 minimalist one-minute songs combining punk, funk, and 60s jazz. Lyrics about everything from discovering punk rock to overseas wars. Plus a break for a 38-second Van Halen cover. No filler, almost every track is great. [10] (BE).

Eine SST-Nummer nach der legendären Hüsker-Dü-Doppel-LP Zen Arcade erschien die Antwort der Minutemen darauf (“take that, hüskers!” steht auf dem Cover). Intellektueller und verschachtelter Punk/Gitarren-Sound, der das Genre aber oft verläßt oder mit Funk-, Jazz- und Rockeinflüssen anreichert. Weniger sperrig und kantig als die frühen Platten, zum Teil sogar wirklich schön und poetisch. Für mich ihre beste Platte, auch wenn man für das komplette Durchhören der vier Plattenseiten etwas Geduld braucht.

Tracks: anxious mo-fo / viet nam / cohesion / it’s expected i’m gone / #1 hit song / two beads at the end / do you want new wave or do you want the truth? / don’t look now / shit from an old notebook / nature without man / one reporter’s opinion // political song for michael jackson to sing / maybe partying will help / toadies / retreat / the big foist / god bows to math / corona / the glory of man / take 5, d. / my heart and the real world / history lesson - part II /// you need the glory / the roar of the masses could be farts / mr. robot’s holy orders / west germany / the politics of time / themselves / please don’t be gentle with me / nothing indeed / no exchange / there ain’t shit on t.v. tonight / this ain’t no picnic / spillage // untitled song for latin america / jesus and tequila / june 16^th / storm in my house / martin’s story / ain’t talkin’ ’bout love / doctor wu / little man with a gun in his hand / the world according to nouns / love dance