Customer Reviews

13 Songs

5 star:		(54)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This is it. Right here. First time I heard this album, I went, "Unh..." Second time I heard it, I realized that I'd been heaping my expectations upon it, and when I let Fugazi tell me who they are, I discovered one of the best cds I'll ever own. If you like guitars, it doesn't get any better than this.

This is hardcore punk, but it's more than that. Influenced by reggae, Fugazi crafted an entirely new style that was imitated by EVERY guitar band in the 90s. Literally. But you can't beat the original, and this is it. Fugazi is the culmination of two incredible guitarists/vocalists/songwriters who made some amazing hardcore with their original bands in Minor Threat and Rites of Spring, but their powers had fully come into their own by the time they formed Fugazi, and the result is amazing.

Fugazi did EVERYTHING right; the right chords, the right vocals, the right melodies. They leave space when they're supposed to and let go when they have to. This band has a sense of DYNAMICS that not ONE band since them has. I'm not talking about cheap "Loud-soft" or "start-stop" dynamics. This band had much more than just two modes.

Their debut is amazing. The two singers are distinct yet complimentary, especially when they're singing together. Ian is just as amazing of a back-up vocalist to Guy as he is a frontman in his own right, and that's why this band is the best ever: the chemistry.

Stop reading and BUY THIS ALBUM NOW. It WILL change your life. If you're ready for it.

The term "alternative" should be used to describe music like this. Rather than being used on anything with distorted guitars, it should describe music that is actually alternative and different from what other people are doing. Well, that is EXACTLY what Fugazi is. 13 Songs is a strange, fascinating ride you won't regret taking.

If you are a fan of Minor Threat, you'll probably be checking this CD out because Ian McKaye is Fugazi's frontman. That's how I heard about Fugazi anyways. But don't buy this thinking it'll harcore punk in the Minor Threat vein - it's not. It's something totally different. While there is without a doubt a punk sound to it, it's not really a punk album. Fugazi is really hard to describe: just buy it. It's good.

The lyrics can be a little strange. Many say they are insightful but unfortunately I think some of them are saying that because they have no idea what they mean. The lyrics of Fugazi don't make their points as blatantly as Minor Threat did (compare a song like "Out of Step" to "Provisional"). The music is catchy and quite funky on a lot of songs, but with punk bite to spare.

To close, buy 13 Songs. It's one of the better CDs of real alternative you can buy. The highlights include "Waiting Room", "Suggestion", "Margin Walker", "And the Same", "Burning Too", and "Promises." Don't miss out on Fugazi.

The first Fugazi ep changed punk/hardcore music forever and it changed me. I was a messed up punk kid in high school when I first heard them, and the song "Suggestion" probably saved my life. I've seen Fugazi several times in the past eleven years and I have all of their records but the first two eps are definately my favorite. They touch my soul. I know that's pretty cheesy, but it's true.

This is an exellent album, kind of like punk going in full circle. You can hear a lot of the music that must have influenced the Fugazi band members in their youth. Waiting room, promises and bad mouth for example brings to mind a lot of early UB40, Clash and even some early 80s Ska (Specials, Selecter) especially in the interchange of vocals between Ian MacKaye and Guy while the impressive margin walker brings to mind Stiff Little Fingers in their first 2 albums.

For anyone who has not heard Fugazi before this album is the best place to start (not least because it is their first one)for someone who has not heard any of the above mentioned bands before or whose musical tastes are more towards faster punk/hardcore music this album may need a few more listens to grow on you (if you have listened to Minor Threat and are expecting a continuation of the same sound you might want to listen to Embrace and Rites of Spring to give you an idea of what to expect on this album)

Highly intelligent lyrics, less direct than many other punk bands (Dead Kennedys, Citizen Fish etc) with the exception of suggestion. Fugazi seem to be a band that prefer their actions to speak for their politics rather than their words.

Exellent and intelligent music and lyrics well worth listening to.

The first seven songs (first EP) should be mandatory listening for anyone who claims to like rock. Actually, scratch that. They should be mandatory listening for anyone.

Oh and the rest of the CD is pretty good too.

If you follow alternative music, I would be surprised if you havent heard of Fugazi. They are known as the epitome of a band that will not sell out. They sell all their discs at bargain prices, and their concerts are always reasonably priced, for admission. This is their masterpiece, and "Waiting Room" is their finest hour. I would recomend all their albums, but this is their best punk album. As their later discs get out, they tend to defy description. However, I think its fair to say this is the album that made them relevant.

Nine years ago when I was 16, I heard this album for the first time. It really changed what I thought about music, and how it was made. Completely independent and unpretentious, this album has a raw power that still gets to me even now when I play it every couple of years. If you are interested in Fugazi , buy this...you won't be disappointed.

This CD was my first foray into punk rock, and that was back in 1992. The best part is that, even though the album was already three years old (eons in the underground music scene), it was so fresh and new and different that I was drooling for more. How can you go wrong with the slip-slide bass line for "Waiting Room?" Or the dynamic dynamics of the teeth-grinding "Bulldog Front?" Or the almost psychedelic "Glue Man?" Fugazi has the right mix of musical craftsmanship and innovation, political outspokenness, and overall enigma to keep them consistently interesting and crucial to the larger world of music. Seven years after I bought it, and eleven years after its initial release, "13 Songs" is still one of my top picks when I want some thought-provoking rock.

Yes, indeed these EPs are absolutely incredible. I recently purchased this cd and was floored by Fugazi. This was my first Fugazi purchase and as typical with many who purchase an artist's recordings, the first impression is often the strongest. I have since purchased their discography and have enjoyed all of them, but none as much as this one. What craftmanship especially after being a Minor Threat fan all these years...they seem to had finally pulled it all together. Please do yourself a favor and buy this cd - punk ethos defined.

Probably the best thing to come out of the nations capitol since "Bad Brains", "Fugazi" continues to fight the good fight. "13 Songs" is the combination of their first two EPs, and includes such classics as "Waiting Room", "Margin Walker", and "Bad Mouth". What makes them a great punk band, is that besides the look and the sound, they have something important to say, which is evident in songs such as "Suggestion" and "Burning Too". The only thing that bums me out when I listen to this, is that I know teens today are unaware of "Black Flag" and "Minor Threat", and they are under the impression that bands such as "Good Charlotte" and "Simple Plan" are punk.