Customer Reviews

A Collection of Pop Classics

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm an old guy who grew up in NY in the early 80's and I spent a fair amount of time seeing bands like Reagan Youth, Kraut, and Urban Waste at the Sunday matinee's at CBGB's.

The first 8 songs (which I believe are from vol.1) were the staple of a typical Reagan Youth set. They were simple yet dynamic, super-charged pre-hardcore tunes that set the tone for punk rock in those days. I can't recommend this CD enough although I am mystified by all the songs that make up the rest of the collection. They could possibly be post-Reagan Youth tunes when they went under the name "House of God".

Perhaps the sound and the angst might be a little dated today, this CD sounds like a demo tape but I still urge you to check out this seminal New York punk band to understand what the scene was like before bands like Agnostic Front and Cro-Mags took over just a few short years later. Sadly, they should have been bigger, on par with the Bad Brains and the Misfits but for reasons beyond me, they just faded away into semi-obscurity only to become a minor footnote in American punk rock history.

If you are a fan of 80's hardcore, there is no reason for you to not own this cd. While some people may complain about the change in song structures towards the end of the album, I think it makes for a better listen. This collection of songs is a perfect introduction to what hardcore used to be, and you can even see the metal influence creeping in toward the end of the cd. It has been said that Reagan Youth were adding the metal sounds as more of a joke than anything, but it still makes for an intriguing listen.

Must have for your Hardcore collection. A satirical look at American society: Sexs, Drugs, Guns, and Rock and Roll. Don't let the pictures fool you, this band has nothing to do with NAZI's.

I am sick of everyone trashing volume two. Yes volume one is a staple, classic hardcore nyc political punk record... But volume two is a great record as well. You can't make the same record twice, and especially when they are spaced out over so many years. And most of the band members were gone for volume two, so a whole new lineup is going to equal a different sound. I don't care what any of the purists say, volume two is just as important as volume one, and so what if it has a slight metal sound to it... Discharge did too, and earlier, but noone questions their credentials as british ANARCHO icons... So don't let the volume two bashers deter you from buying this record... It is non stop great from front to back... 6 stars out of 5.

This is good 80's hardcore,If you are new to punk I suggest you pick this up and add it to your collection.

this album is amazing. regan youth have a great sense of irony and cynicism when it comes to american culture. the lyrics are both hilarious and politically charged. every song is essential. clearly one of the greatest bands ever.

Yes, beautiful. You probably don't hear that word used to describe a hardcore punk rock CD often, but this one deserves it. It has some of the usual hardcore punk rock songs, meaning they are short and fast. These songs are very good. This CD also contains a lot of slower songs, but they still sound hardcore. These slower songs are amazing! Jesus Was a Communist, Queen Babylon, and Heavy Metal Shuffle are some of the best songs on A Collection of Pop Classics, and they could be considered "stoner" music, meaning they are long, drawn out, and have great guitar playing.

If you are interested, search the Internet for a short biography telling about lead singer Dave Insurgent's life, it is pretty sad, but very interesting.

When I first heard this CD I was really impressed. I was really enjoying the catchy old school hardcore punk tunes like "Reagan Youth", "New Arayns", "(Are You) Happy?", "No Class", and "USA". Then suddenly about halfway through the CD everything went downhill. Honestly the second half isn't as good as the first half. So all in all if you like old hardcore punk then check this out, but be prepared for some not so great songs alongside the great songs.

words cant express how good this cd is. only bad thing about reagan youth is they are no more.... if i could only recommend one cd to you check this one out. and check out 'the banned' as well. similar feel to theyre music and ALSO a local band here in nyc

RIP Dave Rubinstein

Reagan Youth started out as raw as any young group could in NY in the early hardcore-punk days. Semi comparable to DRI or Suicidal Tendencies Reagan Youth mixed simple guitar riffs with raw leads (Queen Babylon, One Holy Bible, etc). I own the two single LPs Vol 1 and 2 and you hear the band grow lyrically, and instrument wise as the years pass.

Sadly the band fell apart like alot of groups from the time did with the death of Dave Insurgent whom had been semi-exiled from the scene previous to his death. Reagan Youth now tours with a new frontman for reunion purposes I guess. I cant justify seeing them. Dead Kennedys had a $20 concert 20 minutes from my house a few years ago. But what the hell is DK without Jello Biafra.

Anyways to new punk fans and old school punks alike this cd should be in everyones collection. Even non punk fans should find some musical connection to some track. Lates and FU.......