Customer Reviews

Paranoid Time

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

 

 

Excellent EP from these guys. Some say this record inspired hardcore due to its conciseness--seven songs just under seven minutes. But i think their agenda was different from other hardcore bands of the early 80's. These guys approached punk philosophically and wrote socio-politically charged short anthems. I mean D. Boon the guitarist barely uses distortion on the record. Anyway...this is prime stuff from one of rock's most creative, humorous and artistic groups.

Clocking in at just under or just over a minute per song, this entire e.p. runs at less time than many artist's SONGS. That said, the best bet for a customer would be to pick it up on the Post Mersh vol 3 set, but it's more fun to review it as is.

Looking at Paranoid Time, one is amazed at the jazz funk originality of bassist/vocalist Mike Watt, vocalist/guitarist D. Boon, and drummer George Hurley. This begins their all too short trek that ends with 3 Way Tie (for last) just a few years later. But what a few years it is! In this meantime, the Minutemen would change all the rules, and the changes start HERE. On songs like "Joe McCarthy's Ghost" and "Paranoid Chant" the Minutemen kicked off an era... Now join along and follow it through. This band will remain as one of the best... Find out why! You'll never be the same again.

Yes, this first Minutemen record is very short, yet rocks, and is indispensable for your punk rock collection. Yes, Paranoid Chant is an instant classic the first time you hear it. I can't add any more than what others have said. I did want to say, I ordered the vinyl from Amazon, expecting to update my well played and scratched 7" record, but I never got a 7". What you actually get is a colored vinyl (mine was green) 10"! So if you're thinking the price is a little high, that's why. A pleasant surprise!