What Makes A Man Start Fires - Minutemen (1983)

18 tracks, 26 minutes. Minutemen were a bare-bones outfit, and this is one of the most minimalist things they did.

D Boone’s lyrics are not so much poetry as the outlines of poetry that somebody taking notes might come up with, and yet you know exactly what he’s saying.

The music, driven by bassist Mike Watt, is hardcore and funk and occasional free form noise. It was a true breakthrough for the American underground. It’s a stunning achievement and a great record.

Their followup to this was Double Nickels On The Dime, a double-vinyl release that took them 43 tracks to get to 75 minutes. Same ethos, just a lot more of it.

Tracks I Liked

Bob Dylan Wrote Propaganda Songs - How do you not love a track titled this?

Beacon Sighted Through Fog - Some william carlos williams shit with a mad bass break

Pure Joy - basically the next 20 years of punk rock in one package.