Customer Reviews

Operation Ivy (Dig)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For anyone who appreciate punk rock and it multi-faceted offspring (not the band), just know this must be in your collection.

I've owned this album for the better part of 12-15 years. I've listened to it more times than I can count, know every word, every guitar lick, so I can't really come into this as someone who just discovered this. If you like punk from the late 80's early 90's then this album is an essential collection of on of the first ska influenced punk bands. Members of Operation Ivy went on to form Rancid, and the lesser-known Common Rider. These guys are basically a grandfather band, of the era where punk rock was trying to become socially aware and set their eyes on changing the world on a social level rather than destroy it.

The sound quality is sketchy at best, as with most independent punk bands, these guys recorded great music in third-rate studios in under an hour. So you can't expect audiophile quality sound, and that would negate the DIY nature of the music. The quality is definitely listenable; it's the music that stands out. This album is a compilation of their various 7" EPs, some of which I own, though this CD is the most convenient way to listen to these guys on the go.

If you listen to punk you must own this album, if you're getting into punk, this is a great start.

If you are interested in punk rock music from any era, this album is a must-have. The sound quality it low, but it's incredibly punk rock, and these songs are really amazing (musically and lyrically) considering the fact that this was a young local band that only existed for 2 years. This is their one and only official release, so you get 27 songs, and every single one of them is incredible. Op Ivy has been profoundly influential (they were a major influence of Billie Joe of Green Day) and they were arguably the first band to combine punk rock with 2-Tone style second wave ska. Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman played guitar and bass for this band, and you may be aware that they went on to form another excellent (and slightly ska-influenced) punk band called RANCID, which is the main reason why this band suddenly got so popular years after their demise. Anyway, get this album any way you can, it is completely essentail punk rock listening.

This album brings back so, so many great memories. I might be a bit partial, but after reading other reviews...I'm not the only one who LOVES this album! Authentic punk music...love it!

I got this album with a number of others as they were significantly cheaper and available on Amazon.com (US) than on the amazon UK or French sites. Mistake!!! The CDs arrived along with an invoice from La Poste to pay an extra 18 Euros import duty before they'd release it to me. Note of caution here for those of us in Europe trying to order CD's from the US - be prepared the price quoted isn't the real price....!!!

This is an absolute belter of a CD. It has a 5 stars as it is definitely one of the best examples of ska/punk from this era.

The stand out tracks for me are Take Warning (one of my favourite songs of all time), Officer and Vulnerability but the every track is worth a listen. I must say I only got onto this after I became a huge Rancid fan so I already was acclimiatised to Tim Armstrongs voice and lyrics, which to some are an acquired taste.

I think this is a must have addition to anyone into the punk genre although their is plenty of 'ska' beat to keep you bopping along. My only regret is that there is not a huge catalogue of Op Ivy to troll through which I guess in a way makes this CD even more special.

Do not think about it...get a copy or this, play it loud.....and then you can thank me later........

I've always loved this album. Listening to it brings back so many great memories. I would highly recommend this album to any Op Ivy fans.

Here's a few that equal this one, London Calling, Setting Sons, Inflammable Material, you get the idea, absolutely essential stuff, you probably dig Rancid, NOFX, DKM's, etc.. so you start here, released in '89 before rock became trendy and faddish. Every tune rocks with abandon and the muscianship is first rate. 'nough said. If you don't own it by now, just keep spinning Radiohead.

This is one of those albums if you enjoy Punk/Ska that you have to own. I remember picking this album up at Vintage Vinyl in 1991 and playing it non stop till had had to get another copy because the first was worn/scratched to death.

You can tell that is was a prequel to Rancid, but is it different and exciting in its own way. I could only imagine what would have happened if they had stayed together.

Just simply a great compilation of all there best songs from hard to find Op Ivy releases. I guarantee this CD will not disappoint and now that it is available for much more reasonable price everyone should own it! PICK IT UP, PICK IT UP,,,HA ha ha hahaha!

This is a great record! Armstrong at his best before Rancid and The Transplants. This got him off to his start. If your interested in Punk Rock, Ska, or Rancid get a wiff of this! I think this is better that Rancid, in my own opinoin, and one of the best punk bands of the late 80's and early 90's. Great Album, must have... if you don't have it already!