13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Classic Must Own, November 17, 2007
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.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Requisite., February 13, 2008
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.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesomsauce..., November 25, 2011
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!
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