Suicidal Tendencies [Original recording reissued]

Suicidal Tendencies | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 20, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Frontier Records
• ASIN: B000007489
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,980 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #68 in Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > Hardcore & Punk
  • #86 in Music > Indie Music > Rock > Hard Rock & Metal

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

When punk rock met the formless rebellion that permeated L.A.'s working-class suburbs in the early '80s, a weird hybrid was born, drawing equally from heavy-metal thunder and Ritalin-generation aggression. Suicidal Tendencies' frontman Mike Muir was one of them, and they knew it immediately, latching onto the half-spoken, half-screeched brain bomb "Institutionalized" as an instant classic. That song is certainly the best-known track on this, the group's debut, but it's hardly the only essential one: "Fascist Pig," "I Shot the Devil," and "Possessed" all rage on mightily, the arcs of guitar from Rocky George and Mike Clark serving to push Muir to new heights of blind frenzy. In less powerful hands, this album would be little more than an extended temper tantrum, but in the mitts of Suicidal, it's something far, far more dangerous. --David Sprague

Product Description

Fast, furious, and funny, Suicidal Tendencies' self-titled debut owed much more to hardcore punk than to the later hardcore/heavy metal hybrid they would become known for, but it's still quite possibly their best album. Mike Muir proves himself an articulate lyricist and commentator, delving into subjects like alienation, depression, and nonconformist politics with intelligence and humor. The band behind him is aggressive and speedy, but never sinks into an overly fast sonic blur. Contains the classic rant "Institutionalized." ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All these years, and still Suicidal, May 11, 2002

By 

N. Durham "Big Evil" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Suicidal Tendencies (Audio CD)

One of the most underrated bands, but respected no matter what, the Suicidal Tendencies brilliant debut album is an all time classic that shows what real punk rock is, and what real hardcore is. "Institutionalized" remains an all time classic song of vocalist Mike Muir venting so much its unbelievable, while "I Shot the Devil" and "I Saw Your Mommy" are just great punk/thrash songs that you can easily get into. The Suicidal Tendencies are without a doubt one of the most influential bands in the past 15 years, and they make pretenders like Blink 182, Sum 41, and Green Day show how its really done. I strongly recommend picking up this classic as soon as you can, this is what real punk rock is all about.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Give credit where credit is due, August 20, 2006

By 

Robert Carpinteyro (Venice, Ca) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Suicidal Tendencies (Audio CD)

Reguarding your Editoriol Reviews, per amazone.com's David Sprague on Suicidal Tendencies first album release, erroneously credits Rocky George and Mike Clark's guitar playing for being instrumental in part for the albums success. However, the original and actual guitar players on that album where bassist Louiche Mayorga and guitarist Grant Estes.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic old-school punk/thrash, November 21, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Suicidal Tendencies (Audio CD)

This is Suicidal's first album (released in 1983, the same year as Metallica's "Kill 'Em All"), and as one listens, one can hear why, 22 years later, Suicidal Tendencies is still respected as one of the best crossover bands that grew out of the incredible union of punk and thrash in the 1980's. On this album, Suicidal exhibits more punk attitude than metal, but the addition of phenomenal solos to scorching punk tunes like "Two-Sided Politics" makes for a highly entertaining album. Mike Muir's vocals can be a bit repetitive at times, but one would be hard pressed to find a more energetic and cathartic singer. One of this album's best features is its production; it was engineered by Randy Burns, notable for his work with Megadeth on 1986's "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?" album, and the overall sound is raw, abrasive, and punk-like while retaining a clarity beyond comparable bands at the time. This combination of low-fi DIY spirit and musical clarity allows all of the punk attitude to be dominant while letting all of the instruments have an equal share of the spotlight, none overpowering any other within the mix.

The best songs are "Suicide's An Alternative/You'll Be Sorry," "Two-Sided Politics," "I Shot the Devil," "Won't Fall In Love Today," "Institutionalized" (a true classic), "Memories of Tomorrow," "Fascist Pig," and "I Want More." Really, the only bad song is the last, as it seems to have been included on the album as filler. Also, the song "Subliminal," which addresses the subject of subliminal messages on television, contains funny and odd sound clips that continue underneath the instruments throughout the song.

Overall, an excellent and influential album.