Customer Reviews

The Adolescents/Welcome to Reality/All by Myself

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

the Adolescents are an incredible 80s punk band. Even though they didn't release too many albums, this one rules. This marks the beginning of mosh pits and chaos in punk rock. "Kids of the black hole" is great. Great riff too. "Amoeba" is enjoyable too. "No friends" is one of my personal favorites. "I HATE CHILDREN" is probably the best!

This is truly one of those "Must Own" albums. I bought the original vinyl back in 1981, it is totally worn out, I am glad it is finally available on CD again.

RCA (BMG) reissued this on CD 7-8 years ago, (The original was on Froniter records, An RCA/BMG owned label) and unfortunately, The Epitaph reissue is missing a LOT.

The RCA reissue included 26 tracks, and the entire Rikk Agnew - "All by myself" LP, a masterpice in itself. The RCA Records is a reissue Then, not to mention Agnew's involvement in one of orange County's GREATEST bands, D.I.

This album is one of the most crucial recordings in the punk rock genre. The Adolescents featuring guitar hero Rikk Agnew were the soundtrack behind the re-emerging skate scene in California. This CD is a must have for anyone with an interest in the OG roots of California Hardcore. I was fortunate enough to see this band in Reseda Ca and I was blown away. If you never experience this music you will never witness the full picture of punk rock.

This is one of the key albums of the era, up there with Damaged and Group Sex if you ask me. I don't think they ever topped this, although Balboa Fun Zone is cool too. Great songs, great energy, lots of passion. "Kids of the Black Hole" is like a punk rock epic! This comes with an EP tagged on the end called Welcome to Reality, which is also good.

It's hard to surpass the way the tracks on this record mirror the thoughts and feelings of punks and hardcore fans. Songs like "Amoeba" and "Kids of the Black Hole" express themes like teen disaffection and anger, with emotion and clarity - and nearly the entire record sustains a sense of mosh-pit energy that other bands have only tried to emulate. Moreover, this record shows the transition from old style punk into aggressive hardcore, making it a kind of mini-history lesson in popular music. The Adolescents' debut album also fits like a jigsaw piece into the skate lifestyle. It's as much an expression of a lifestyle as a musical statement.

While it has a powerful, aggressive sound, the debut LP by the Adolescents isn't completely consistent. There are maybe two or three standout tracks, accompanied by songs that have energy, but aren't the kind of songs you'll play again and again. You may get off on the general aggro, but as an album needs more classic songs to fill out the record. I was really impressed by the Adolescents live, but as a record, it needs more, and better. Time, too, has exerted an adverse affect on the record; while the music remains powerful, the lyrics are frequently unpolished.

That said, this debut LP by the Adolescents continues to be influential.

It's definetly a worthwhile album. It includes the Self-Titled album along with the Welcome To Reality ep and Rikk Agnew's Solo Album. Don't pay $50 though, try Ebay first.

This really is a great album, but the few standout tracks don't excuse all the excrement that the Adolescents also turned out. Still, for any hardcore or punk fan, this is a must.

i dont know about everyone else, but when a "punk" band relies on politics and over promotes their working class values, it definately gets old fast. i mean sure, a few bands can pull that political stuff off really well(bad religion) but otherwise, punk to me is exactly what bands like these guys and TSOL are. lyrics should always be at most, 50% un political.. lyrically, this album stays true to the Damned and Ramones. only difference is, there is more hardcore and speed involved instead of rock n roll influence..and oh yeah, tony's voice.

i think it is essential to every punkers collection