Double Nickels on the Dime

Minutemen | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sst Records
• ASIN: B000000LZV
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (126 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,866 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Minutemen's Double Nickels on the Dime is a masterwork of American indie rock, a sprawling, 42-song explosion of terse, revolutionary rock & roll. Rifling through a kind of lurching punk-funk, this San Pedro, California, trio poses philosophical questions, mocks love-song clichés and Michael Jackson, covers CCR and Van Halen, and gets drunk on "Jesus and Tequila"--all of it brought to life by the jazzy, popping bass of Mike Watt; the rifle-shot fills of drummer George Hurley, and the staccato guitar and impassioned cries of the late D. Boon, whose voice will forever insist: "No hope? See, that's what gives me guts." --David Cantwell

Product Description

No Description Available.
Genre: Popular Music
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 19-SEP-1990

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

81 of 86 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "No hope? See, that's what gives me guts!" October 30, 2005

By Church of The Flaming Sword

Format:Audio CD

Like many people, I can't stand what the media tries to pass off as punk rock nowadays. The scene with the tattoos, whiny vocals with faux-British accents (yes Billie Joe Armstrong - I'm referring to you- you can stop hiding behind the tour bus), the refried two-chord riffs, the hypocritical anti-corporate stances, and the cheap looking Hot Topic clothes would be comical if it weren't so annoying. While punk rock really isn't my cup of tea, I respect the pioneers like The Clash, Husker Du, and The Damned. And then there were The Minutemen who took not only punk rock, but all of rock music to a whole new level.

San Pedro, California's Minutemen were fronted by a chubby, sloppy, and very average looking singer/guitarist named D. Boon (1958-1985). Boon was not the most refined singer in the world, yet his confident, assertive vocals made it easy to overlook his imperfections. He had an interesting guitar approach because he would completely turn down the bass and mid-range frequencies on his amplifiers and only use treble. He lacked the precision and speed of an Yngwie Malmsteen or a Joe Satriani, but his playing was much more fun to listen to. Boon's childhood pal Mike Watt handled bass with such skill that he sounded far more like Jaco Pastorius than Sid Vicious. Rounding out the trio was drummer George Hurley, a man who could do astonishing things with a small drumkit. The Minutemen were fortunate to have not one, not two, but three very gifted musicians within its ranks.

1984's _Double Nickels on the Dime_ clocks in at a whopping 74 minutes with 43 tracks. It defied the convention of both mainstream music and punk rock with it's attitude and experimentation. Just about everything is on here you can imagine: jazz, country, folk, blues, funk, Egyptian-style rock, spoken word poetry, psychedelia, and covers of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Don't Look Now" and Steely Dan's "Dr. Wu". On earlier pressings was a cover of Van Halen's "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love". Unlike many punk bands who do ironic covers of bands they feel contempt for, The Minutemen loved the groups they covered.

There is very little that I can say about _DNotD_ that has not been said already. But in closing I will say that _DNotD_ is one of those albums that has something for ALL rock fans. Punk fans will love it for its attitude and social commentary. Progressive rockers may love it for its musicianship and experimentation. Classic rockers will appreciate the Minutemen's respect for the past, and the pure nostalgic value. I'm not going to cry about what would have happened had Boon survived. Instead, I only wish to extend my gratitude for there being _DNotD_. Thanks guys.

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best album of the 80's. June 19, 2000

By D. Tucker

Format:Audio CD

Though overlooked, this is the masterpiece of the 80's. I must agree albums like London Calling, The Queen Is Dead, Up On The Sun, I Can't Stop It & Zen Arcade are classic albums, none of them have the spirit of this album. 45 songs (43 on the cd) all delivered in the space of a regular cd (or double lp) and absolutely no gristle, it's all meat here.

To me, this is the true definition of "punk." Much like London Calling, it might not be 3 power chords at blazing speed, and screamed vocals, it's something more important. Intelligent music with intelligent lyrics. Punk isn't so much a sound, it's more an attitude/feeling.

I love the way the music here doesn't fit into any certain genre. Is it funk? Is it hadcore? Is it jazz? Is it blues? Is it folk? Is it country? It's all of that and more, usually in the same song.

The only thing I didn't like, was the band's cover of the classic Van Halen song "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" & their original "Mr. Robot's Holy Orders" were left off of the cd (to fascilitate a single cd, I'd imagine), but if you can't find the vinyl, then the cd is the next best thing. Either way you go, you will not be disappointed.

And to kidpunkrock182, thanks man. I really needed that. Best laugh I've had in ages! :D

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Beautiful February 6, 2001

By daibhidh

Format:Audio CD

While I hate that this CD is missing 2 songs, the 43 tunes (74.17 minutes) remaining are definitely worth it. This is easily one of the best albums out there, and a really useful demonstration of the breadth and depth of the punk movement, at least in the US. The core of the album is in the trademark stripped-down sound of the Minutemen, and their lingering jazz and funk influences.

It is a seamless, smart, and spellbinding masterpiece. There is so much variety on this CD that I don't think it's possible to get tired of it. I particularly like "Cohesion" (although would have liked it deeper in the playlist), "Maybe Partying Will Help," and "No Exchange" (which just builds so nicely). But in truth, I love all of the songs, so many of which manage to be softly scathing, which requires far more finesse than simply screeching.

For people who think punk was (is) about leather jackets, chains, mohawks, and stomping up and down, I would suggest you avoid this album, but not because this album doesn't rock -- because it definitely rocks -- but it does it in a truly punk way, which is to defy definition itself. And it does it masterfully and intelligently. Makes me sad that d. boon died so young (27, of course), given what he was capable of. This CD is well worth your time.