Out of Step

Maybe a bit more hardcore than I care for, but I can appreciate punk for what it’s trying to do even if the music isn’t always my thing

At least I can fucking think.

hell yea

It's an EP not an album. You would be better off with The Complete Minor Threat which contains the Out of Step EP and everything else you could ever need. The music on Out of Step is great of course, it's Minor Threat after all but if you are going just after the music well it's a dumb choice and being an EP it's also a very short listen. For collectors only.

Boring

Fuckin' love me some classic punk. Solid 5 Stars.

I’m at a 4.5 that I’ll bump up to a 5. 21 minutes and 40 seconds of lightning fast punk rock. It’s snotty as hell, thoughtfully angry, unapologetically loud, and it’s right down my fucking alley. This album feels like a preview of the more manically paced / experimental albums that would emerge through the rest of the ‘80s & would be especially refined by the ‘90s. The only reason this is at a 4.5 is just because it’s a little same-y in terms of the actual soundscape (aka insanely fast drums & guitar riffs for miles), but it’s got a lot of variety within it to keep it fresh. Ian MacKaye’s vocals work well here; he would obviously go on to greater success with Fugazi, but his venom-filled disdain gives this album an edge that really makes it work, anchoring & channeling all the nearly off-rails instrumental chaos into a package that manages to be concise & tight. There’s really not much to say; everyone plays their part & their instruments perfectly, and since it’s such a short album / EP, it’s just worth fucking listening to it compared to whatever I could type about it. I’m glad it’s on the list, it’s deserving of the acclaim, and it’s an easy bump up to a 5. Really, really fun stuff.

I probably should've listened to my Ex girlfriend that Punk is amazing but Nooo, I had to think it was simplistic & all sounds the same. I mean, it does sound all the same at times but you can get your message out or even your angst out. Just fast angsty music played at break neck speed. Short, sweet & to the point. I hate my lungheadedness of my youth. 3

Short, sharp, loud and has something to say. Good.

Loved it, vital, brief, really good stuff

Great.

These guys may not have an extensive discography (its only 47 minutes total), but this album is a bit of a step forward from the Minor Threat EP beforehand. It's still a fast flurry of hardcore punk, but the songs are more developed and interesting here. I still prefer what came later with Fugazi, but this album was the high water mark of their hard-core phase.

Liked: Cashing In Added: Cashing In

Horrible noise

Less than 22 minutes! From "Look Back & Laugh": "What can we do, what can we do?"

5/5 all bangers like a swift punch to the gut

Go, go, go. Short and intense.

This is going to be a controversial one, but as someone who likes punk, this is what good punk sounds like. It's angsty, loud, and has good instrumentals.

Rating: 2.75/5 Favorite song(s): not sure any stuck out to me in particular Review: I’m trying to balance objectivity and subjectivity in my reviews the best that any person can. I just cannot enjoy the sound of punk, and this album was no different. It sounded incredibly grating to my ears, especially the vocals. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the lack of political statements in the lyrics, because that’s kind of the only thing punk is good for to me. Instead, this album seemed to wallop about youth frustrations and feeling different, which comes off a bit whiny. The frontman of this band grew up in Glover Park, D.C., an affluent white suburb. So, his band suffers from the same affliction many other hardcore projects do. It’s simply not that interesting to hear a rich suburban kid groan about being hurt and feeling misunderstood. It’s also interesting that the punk movement is so against the trust fund hippies that ran off to cosplay peace and love… when they often aren’t very far behind themselves. I have respect for punk as a political movement. Especially local hardcore scenes, which feel much more authentic than this record or something like Sex Pistols. I just wish they could put their politics into something that didn’t sound so terrible, lol. One redeeming feature of this album is the musicianship. The drummer is actually really good, and there are some good bass lines. I found their sound to be a little more instrumentally evolved than other punk I’ve heard. I appreciated that, because a lack of instrumental skill makes this genre straight up unlistenable to me. In doing research about this project, I’ve gained some respect for it based on how influential it is: “its influence is notorious in future bands that would boost the youth crew movement, also in other genres such as grunge, post-hardcore, 1990's skate punk and thrash metal, as well in the development of the New York hardcore music scene and aesthetics style” (Wikipedia). The problem is, I don’t like any of these subcultures or enjoy the sound of any of these music styles. So, all in all, the album gets a few points for being instrumental to influencing a subculture that I don’t care about. It’s a worthwhile piece of music history, but I’m not a fan of how it sounds. Maybe someday I’ll hear a punk project that makes me “get” it, but that day was not today. I did rate it a 3, because I feel like it has more value than the records I’ve rated 2s. It’s a 1 on a scale of whether or not I’d enjoy listening again, though. Listen again?: No

Minor Threat embodies a lot of what people like about punk rock. It's fast, it's aggressive, it's best played loud, and it is music with youth bursting from it's seams. On Out of Step, is a great snapshot of music on the microlevel as Minor Threat takes on D.C. scene politics, but also furthers their musical ambitions with more diverse songwriting. It's not so different from what they were doing years before, but this change marks a notable shift away from the Hardcore scene.

pure punk, not in a good way it all blends together

Not really my genre. I thought that this sounded a lot like Bad Religion at first, but being from 1983, I was impressed at how they sounded quite a bit more modern than that. But then I listened to the whole album, and it kinda just grated on me with its lack of melody/harmony. It was just very dry and punkish without a whole lot of redeeming quality to my ears. I'm sure that it was revolutionary for the time and probably inspired a lot of other artists down the line, but it's just not my cup of tea. Two stars.

Not a big fan

3/10, not my style.

A+ punk album. I had no idea about the background and influence of this group until I read up on them after listening. Will listen again

LOUD ANGRY NOISES

I listened to a ton of punk during my youth (still so if the mood is right). I love that it is so “bad” it is actually good. 3.6

It’s hardcore punk! I’m sure I would love it if I were an angry teen. I just wish there was more musicality to it. Some of the backing tracks rocked, but I just can’t get on board with the yell-“singing.” As one reviewer said, “I get it, but I don’t like it.” 4/10 Acceptable

Very enjoyable and will be listening again. I can clearly hear the influence this band had on some of my favourite newer punk rockers

I actually guessed it was Minor Threat within a few seconds, before the vocals, even though I had never heard anything on this EP before! Ha! I *have* heard other EPs of theirs a couple times (only a couple times though). I thought it was pretty neat I guessed it was them! A neat thing to note about Minor Threat is that they coined the term "straight edge", which is the subculture of hardcore punk where you don't have alcohol, do drugs, among other things As for this EP: Hell yeah, more hardcore punk. The lyrics were interesting to read

Listens: 3 Standout Tracks: ? Very short album. Only 21 minutes makes it one of if not the shortest album I've come across on the list (so far). I can see this album being a important piece of music for the punk genre, but I can't really appreciate it. It's a little grating and not too exciting. It does however remind me of playing Tony Hawk's pro skater, and I suspect Minor Threat has influenced a lot of the 90s and 2000s emo/alt/post-hardcore bands like Blink 182, Coheed and Cambria, Sum 41, The Offspring, Green Day, etc. etc.

It was okay. Not my favorite punk album.

dao bih čak i trojku jer je simpatično i kratko, ali ne valja ovo... dat ću evo ipak trojku, štajaznam

I had a feeling that I wouldn't like this album, and my feeling was 100% right. At least the album was short. Having said that, I actually didn't mind Cashing In. I would never listen to it again, but I didn't dislike it, so I guess that's something.

Kiire, energiline anti-establishment punk. Laulusõnadest pole kottigi aru saada. Seda oleks vist hea kuulata mingi alkouimas kuskil mosh pitis. Aga niisama istudes, mkm. 2.1/5

21 minutes of being yelled at by a very disciplined man, and honestly… I didn’t hate it. It’s intense, efficient, and gets out before I can file a formal complaint. Punk af, but with a stopwatch.

Gloriously short and furious true punk.

Hardcore can be fun too! I listen to the whole discography album - 26 tracks in the space of 10. In My Eyes FTW!

This was a really good listen. As the music and lyrics go, they’re as expected from the genre. The instruments and rhythms are blood pumping and frenetic with some little touches of melody added time to time, and there’s voice is very in your face. When it comes to lyrics, the themes touch social criticism, betrayal, suppressed emotions and dealing with being an outcast, making the album very relatable. In general, this is a very memorable and consistent hardcore punk album.

Zero

Álbum clássico que deu partida para muita coisa que eu amo

Sheesh this is awful. Its just ranty kid stuff huh.

Some decent tracks

I am not angry enough for this album.

Good punk

Zone out a fair bit. Lots of yelling

I loved it. Early 80s punk. Most songs sound the same; and difficult to make out the lyrics. This was not a punk band I listened to when I was young.

Sounded a little bit like some of The Offspring songs that I have heard...the ones I didn't like. I was not upset that it was only 21 minutes

Not a huge punk fan, but didn't hate it

Punk yeah! That was fun!

Я получил ровно то, на что рассчитывал. Экспрессию, агрессию и матюки. Под альбом приятно работать:)

an EP not an album? but sooooo punk highlights: Think Again

I’m not much of a fan of punk, and the only thing I liked about this album is how short it was.

I was wondering while listening why I was as familiar with Minor Threat as much as other major punk bands. To my surprise they didn’t stay together for very long and this was their only full album. Went out with a bang.

Lo que estuve esperando para que me salga un disco como la gente. Esto es música de verdad viejo, Ian es el más grande, y ni hablar del impacto que tuvo. Dicho esto me gusta más su otro EP, pero igualmente este está muy bien.

🩷

very enjoyable and nostalgic!

Hell hath no fury like political indignation scorned…Gotta begrudge these guys their principles and commitment to the fury that animates their music, but it quickly becomes monotonous and begs the question of what they have in mind that’s constructive beyond just tearing it all down.

Wish there were more albums like this: short and to the point. Enjoyed it and able to listen a couple times through, but no tracks really stuck in my mind either. Overall 3.75/5

As somebody already wrote on here: I get it, but I don't like it. That perfectly sums up my feelings towards this. I hate disregarding music as just 'noise' but to me, that's all I got from this: loud noise.

Ian Mackaye was born to sing in a punk band, he has one of the best voices. This was a very short and sweet album, but I think the list should have chosen their first ep over this one. Still a very enjoyable album. High 4.

1984. More British Punk Rock that has a rough and fast sound. All sounds the same on this album though.

Fast and loud and boring, but at least it’s short.

What a pleasant surprise. The template for The Offspring.

Very agressive music, but not my thing. It's fine for what it is though, just not my taste. 4 / 10

I liked it more than I expected to, the drums are so good.

Drumming and rhythm is incredible, great record

Just fantastic hardcore

Such a great album. This this early post punk early hardcore.

More Polish than their earlier work but Ian MacKay still had lots to say.

Not my style.

Like it more after a second listen through. Takes some time to get past the fact the vocals are rarely anything but yelling (and not in key), but I guess that’s standard hardcore fare. After that I was surprised how complex the arrangements were, even with a couple what some might call movements within a song just a couple minutes long. They don’t waste time, that’s for sure. This is probably a 3/5, but a high 3, so it rounds up.

I can see that bands like The Offspring would have loved this album. I'm not a big fan of bands like that...

Only lasts 20 minutes but brings more heat than most full length punk albums. I'm more of a Germs guy but this is undeniably a banger.

Phew, that was hardcore. Too hard for me, I'm too weak for that. Although it's only a little over 20 minutes long, I couldn't listen to the whole album. 2/5

not an all day music

Punk Rock Music Ruins Day: 46-year-old man dies on treadmill. Man found dead with Minor Threat playing in his AirPods. Garbage music believed to be the cause of death. Man leaves behind family but goes out with his music taste intact.

I don’t dislike it, I just can’t listen to it for more than 4-5 minutes…

Hard and fast. Can’t say this one’s my favorite. (9 songs, 21 mins)

God, my favourite thing about this album is that the songs are all less than 3 mins. Not a fan of Punk

Glad it was only 20 minutes.

Like most 80's punk, I definitely see how this evolved into something cool, and how it would be mind blowing when you were a kid. But, oh my god, the same song over and over for 22 minutes is a drag. At least its short! 2/5

Listened Before? Y I'll keep this short like the songs on the record: Absolutely iconic and influential, just like everything else by the band. Classic and probably perfect hardcore punk. Added to Library: Y Songs added to playlist: Betray

A fine heavy punk sample, one I wish I paid more attention to back when I was more focused on the Sex Pistols and Dead Kennedys. Oddly, my son loves these guys, as well as Fugazi. He’s more of a mosh-pit guy, and drifts to the harder stuff. Most of the current stuff he spins is average, but this baby is tight! Love it!

I thought I was going to love this one from the first sonic blast. If I encountered it at sixteen I surely would have. I remember all the skater kids at my high school wearing minor threat t-shirts but I never ventured far enough off the path to spend my allowance on one of their tapes. Very good and punchy, a punk aesthetic that is right up my alley. I don't think I can go quite to 4 stars only because there wasn't any particular part of the album that stood out for me - it had some variation from the speed punk in parts but nothing that I'll be playing back in my head later (at least after this listen). !RemindMe to listen again in a few weeks. 3.8

21 minutes let's go!!!

*Thought I'd really like this because how much I love Fugazi. But Ian's voice permeates so much more in the dynamics of that group than with Minor Threat. Marking this one for a relisten to pick up on lyrics, which I know are extremely important. * 3/5

Classically Hardcore and not evil

Hard pass. Noisy, a lot of screaming, and not much else going on. Thankfully it was short.

Un bombardeo a la parte de mis oídos que pensaba que le gustaba el punk. Not quite my tempo, a menos que me esté organizando pa ir a una marcha contra la policía.

hell yeah

It was a great album to push through and finish a day lacking motivation. Well timed!

This one blasted the sleep straight out of my head. Way better than I expected—tight, furious, and surprisingly tuneful, especially in those punchy bass lines. I couldn’t help nodding along. “Cashing In” was the standout for me: sharp, catchy, and full of bite. A perfect jolt of energy.

For a 20 minute album, I was suprised it started running out of steam after about 15 minutes

Very short very mid. But I ain’t a hardcore punk fan so that’s prolly why.

I’m with everyone else. 20 minute albums should be more present. Not always, but sometimes it just works. Knew the name of the band, but not too familiar with songs, so I’m here for it 🤘🏻it is what it is. Good energy, pretty brutal and fierce. There’s a time and a place and I’m nearly there! Much prefer to Black Flag for some reasons. A bit more rawness and nuance but it’s still quite an onslaught offer even 4-5 tracks! As I say, does what it is well, but not sure how often I’d come back to it (3.5)

Ian MacKaye telling the world who he was and not giving a fuck what the world thought. Bonus: a lot of it is pretty catchy too.

Punk rock, right on

Some of this aged badly to me mostly because of having a lot of emulators over the decades but this is a definite must listen so I'm giving it 4 stars.

Very loud and rather repetitive after a while. I couldn't tell you which songs I preferred, as they all sound the same a few tracks in. I would probably have enjoyed this in small doses at the time, but I couldn't imagine sitting down to listen to the whole album for pleasure these days. At least it's short.

Short and sweet. Just the blast I needed to kick start the morning. Look a little deeper beyond all the dumb ass punk attitude and there's a little more going off here. Musically, Minor Threat are very good at what they do. They understand the genre and its limitations, but push it a little further. Sounding DIY, but playing with skill - it's a tricky feat to achieve. Impressive.

Hell yeah. A punk ep! This is gonna be a good day. Like the best of punk, I can’t understand a word of it, but the driving drums and guitar are so so good in the first track. Reading some of the lyrics, they’re quite good, basic, but there is nothing wrong with that at all. The bass work in It follows was honestly pretty great when I could hear it. How Think Again managed to somehow build in energy while throwing all it had at you was really impressive. The bass was given time to shine in this track! Look back and laugh was awesome in the way it pulled back in some places. I quite liked Sob Story, it was just the right amount of angry I needed right now. No Reason is actually a pretty poignant track in my life right now, unfortunately I can relate to the lyrics, so it was a pretty good listen. Little Friend and Out of Step were both fast and angry, perfect! Cashing in was an awesome closer and probably one of my favourites of the album! 4/5 ⭐️! 8/10. 46/1089

Raw

Thrash punk at its fastest. Lots of screaming. I will say the bass guitarist can play. Top track is Cashing In, but they’re all pretty similar. (2.2*s) I think this Minor Threat would be better to se live, the album duo translate that well.

Much like blues, heard one hardcore punk song, heard them all. Minor Threat may have increased the complexity of their music compared to earlier works on this album but I can't tell. 20 minutes of the same. Not terrible but not great. I guess I'll give them credit for starting something newish and influencing others. Still just some angsty punks posing really no threat to getting radio play or winning any awards. This record is Out of Step with the in crowd but I'm sure the band likes it that way...1.6 stars.

Didn't expect much from a hardcore punk rock album from 1983. While it hits a lot of the tropes you get in punk rock it was a little cleaner than prior examples. As opposed to a mess of sloppy punk rock garage tunes you can actually pick out the individual pieces of this puzzle and understand the lyrics for the most part. Not sure what gets this onto the 1001 list but perhaps it was influential for a specific time or place. It's really just another punk rock album, but at 21 minutes it's easier to justify the listen and I guess there is little to complain about. Not gonna come back to Minor Threat but I appreciate the relatively low cost of entry for which it gets a little extra bump. 2.02 stars

Technically and sonically flawless, but kind of boring and fails to allure or goad. I guess since this is the quintessential Straight Edge album, it has historical merit.

not my thing, but it's objectively good.

2.5

Another one…precursor to a lot. Dug it.

2.5/10

A great punk album, not one I'd put on to listen to all at once and would have to be in the mood for it but it's super fun. Really loved the last track 'Cashing in'

Everything i like about punk and none of what I don't.

Like a breath mint: refreshing

Wow I had totally forgotton about these guys Such a treat to hear their energy and anger again!

asca

picks: betray, look back and laugh

A welcomed blast of humanity among so much computer generated nonsense. I was going to give it a solid three stars but then it ended in under 25 min. Knowing when you’ve done enough is worth a star all of its own.

Melodies aren’t punk

A 20-minute album always gets at least 2*, and this had some fun songs

they don't care and that's nice

The instrumentals were totally up my alley, but I could NOT get with this vocalist. 2.25 stars.

Despite being far from straight edge, this album was a pretty regular part of my teen and early adult years. Yes, this is rapid-fire hardcore, but the secret sauce of Ian MacKaye is infusing just enough rhythm to create some catchy melodies. As I get older, I find myself in the mood for music like this less frequently but doesn’t mean that I appreciate it any less. A solid record that helped define the straight edge sound and well-deserving of a place on this list. Don’t like it? Boo fucking hoo!

great cover art. too raw for my taste

Pretty good! 3

Not for me. Just sounds like angry yelling over some 13 year olds jamming in their garage for the first time.

Worse than big pink by quite a lot

Whole lotta rubbish punk shite

I have to give it to the album that it sounds waaay ahead of its time. But unfortunately it's not really my thing.

Wasn't really interesting to me, but didn't drag on as other albums have

Betray! Betray! Betray! Betray! Betray! Betray! Betray! Betray!

Maybe a little too hardcore for my liking, but also really fast which is one of the main reasons I would listen to something like this

4⭐️/5 01.31.2026

not my thing

Love me some punk

Landmark record. Not my thing but I can see why it makes the list. 2.5/5. Raising to 3.

Held my interest during its short run time. But won’t listen again

Not my usual thing but totally get why it’s on the list.

Minor Threat made Hardcore. Ian MacKaye goes on to form Embrace, inventing Emo. Emo activates Gerard Way to get into Music. Gerard Way starts My Chemical Romance after witnessing 9/11. Inspired by MCR, Stephanie Meyer writes the Twilight series. Twilight is adapted to film. Kristen Stewart invites Ellen to.............. It's good.

Phh, did not listen to it the days. Do not want to listen it anymore.

Fun. Made me rebel against my parents and throw things out of a hotel window.

I think I'm too old and lazy for this album these days. Only 21 minutes but it was a slog. I feel like I need to be in a mood to appreciate this more but I wasn't. Respect to the unfiltered punk rock vibes though

Of all the scenes in music history, the 80's DC punk scene is hardest for me to really grasp. It just doesn't add up for me. None of the records of that era are as good as what the Stooges were able to accomplish 10 years prior.

my first time listening to this. I'm fairly neutral on DC hardcore in general (I prefer the Minneapolis strains). still, I appreciate music that gets to the point quickly and then moves on. I enjoyed this record more in its second half.

I walk outside and remove my gas mask after cooking a fresh batch of meth. Running late for a meeting with my gun supplier. I hop in my Bodhi and fire up the engine. "Look, Back & Laugh" starts blasting as I lower my shades and make my way down the Alamo Sea coast. My name? Trevor Philips. If the album was one song longer I would have shaved my head, laced up my boots, and stormed the local liquor store.

Is “Sob Story” in on the joke?

A bit too hard rock. But not horrible.

Couldn’t make it to the end - awful!

Maybe a bit much, but 21 minutes of high energy

A staple from my early teenage skater years. As good as this style of punk gets. 3.75

🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽 on the intense end of my punk scale but enjoyed it, didn’t add any songs

This is my first time listening to this album. This is some classic early 80s hardcore punk. I enjoyed this, but I would definitely categorize it as an "acquired taste."

Favourite Songs: Betray Little Friend

É o rock, não tem jeito muito foda

- Yeah, it's not for me... I can't see myself ever wanting to listen to this, even when angry -- this isn't the way my anger feels, and I don't want to be around anyone who is feeling this way. - The "singer's" voice is annoying , which ruins everything for me - it's just yelling the same out of tune "notes" the whole time, and I have no idea what he's saying except motherfucker, boo fucking hoo, etc., and I don't care. - I found the songs to be completely forgettable. I can't find any compelling melody here, and I don't really care much about the instrumentation, either. - It's maybe 1.5 because there are moments when it's a little engaging, it's definitely ahead of its time, it's short, and it's not as bad as being totally boring, but I'm rounding down anyway.

this is DEFINITELY the kind of music i'd mosh over if i was at a concert in a dive bar or frat house, but 'out of step' isn't really a stand out album.

Although I prefer the more melodic punk that came immediately after, this album just flat out rocks.

7.5/10 - Good album but I can only listen to this style for so long.

I like the themes and messaging behind this album. I don't listen to a lot of hardcore but I found this enjoyable. It was too short though. Light 8/10

sorry but it was just so viscerally unpleasant to listen to seven self-indulgent complaining songs interrupted by one song complaining about someone else complaining.

Nema fugaziija bez minor threath, jel sve malo preadolscenski s visoka apsolutno, ali je puno energije

Prior to this day, I had only known their song "Straight Edge", and I wish that's all I knew about them. Their only studio album is 21 minutes of ear torture. Favorite Track: "Look Back And Laugh"(at this album).

20 minutes might be short for an album, but it's long for a panic attack, which is what this felt like to me.

If I was stuck in a room, listening to this on repeat, I would genuinely lose my mind. It's a very effective torture device.

Love me some old school punk

Why are you yelling? 2/5

I had to put a little thought into this review. Did I not like it, because I'm not really a fan of Punk, or because it's shit. I decided I didn't like it because it's shit.

okayyy!! punk!!! david was telling me a bunch of things about this...fugazi...emo...

This was a rough start at first, but it really grew on me. I think the only thing holding it from 5 stars for me is that sometimes the vocals are a little difficult to hear and difficult to listen to. Other than that, I really enjoyed this, and a lot of these songs will probably make my regular rotation!

Angry but one note gibberish

knew i wouldn't like this from the first song. dnf :/

Not for me, only 22 mins and even that felt like torture

it just sounded like one long song. Could not make out what anyone was saying

Listened at work Cashing in

I have to admit, I like this more than I thought I would. I assumed they were a offspring ripoff until I checked the dates and found out they were a predecessor (and likely inspiration) The short quick intense nature of the album appealed in a way I wouldn't have thought possible.

Ok

Top off the jeep summer driving music

I really don't like punk

okay punk. none of the songs stood out. 2.5

I'm not very well-versed in early hardcore punk, but I have the feeling this might be as well-produced as it can get. Having only heard Black Flag's 'Damaged' when it comes to this wave of punk, I thought that it was usual for the music to be low quality. But this record sounds incredibly clear and defined in comparison to the one mentioned. There are still some moments that show the production is not impecable, like the bass clipping in 'Think again' or the voice being a bit low, but in general, it sounds really well. As the music and lyrics go, they're as good as expected from the genre. The instruments and rhythms are blood pumping and frenetic with some little touches of melody added time to time, and the voice is very angry and in your face. When it comes to the lyrics, the themes touch social criticism, betrayal, suppressed emotions and dealing with being and outcast, making the album very relatable. Another remarkable aspect of the album is the dynamism of the songs. The best examples are 'Betrayal', 'Little Friend', 'Out of Step' and 'Cashing In', all of them having pauses and rhythm changes. In general, this is a very memorable and consistent hardcore punk album. Lastly, I also learned that the singer, Ian MacKaye, is too the singer of Fugazi, which is a very cool fact to learn.

You know, I see how people could listen to this, but those people aren’t me. The only reason I tolerated this so easily is because it was over so quickly. No matter what, I just won’t enjoy being yelled at when listening to anything, especially my music.

Nope

you can hear how influential and powerful this band was. Not a go-to for me to have on though.

Not long which was nice, but not my type of music. The last song was a nice change of pace. 2.5

Enjoyed this. Very fast, loud punk.

please stop giving me punk albums they're all garbage

I’m no fan of punk/hardcore so I feel I can’t really judge this in an informed way, but I expected it to be unpleasant and grating and didn’t find that to be the case. It’s alright, not something I would seek out again but for fans of the genre I can understand this EP being highly rated.

all the tracks sound the same im so pissed that i wasted my time on this

Classic 80’s hard core, not difficult to listen to by today’s standards. Important in its time

Not my style but had good instrumentals

muchos gritos pero se disfruta

As someone from the area, I always hear about DC hardcore in these hushed reverent tones whenever I go to local shows. Unfortunately, recognizing its significance to the local scene does not make me any more interested in listening to hardcore. Ironically, this makes me *way* more out of step than Ian Mackaye!

4/5 - Consistently enjoyable, I'd be happy to listen to it again if it came on. None of the tracks hugely stood out though, but it seemed like a couple did some cool things by potentially using tempo changes? Solid overall

There are only three or four punk rock bands that don't sound the same and this is not one of them.

I'm not gonna gripe about this being the wrong list pick for Minor Threat, or how widely misunderstood this band is. Instead I'll just say this record totally rips and underground American punk scenes wouldn't be what they are without Minor Threat.

Nein, geht gar nicht.

Nice

31/12/2025 (happy almost new year!) 1. betray - very fast drums! liking the chorus. maybe too much energy for me though. going from yesterday's album to this is giving me whiplash. liking the shift towards the end, more groovy. 2. it follows - the bass at the start! guitar is realllly great. not a fan of the shouty vocals, but i understand why people would like it. like the whistling at the end *3. think again - the guitar at the start rocks.... can hear the bass in this one more :) the guitar is really great, warming up to the vocals. just got to the bass solo! *4. look back & laugh - guitar intro is great again. liking the speaking vocals, but still not the biggest fan of the shouting. drumming is really nice. bass is great. warmed up to the vocals. liking the bits out of the chorus. a lot more optimistic than i was expecting from a punk album, admittedly though, i don't know much at all about hardcore. 5. sob story - currently relistening because i was follow along with the lyrics, got distracted and lost where i was and could not understand any of the words he was saying. too american for me. bass is really great in this album, thought it'd be more like metal where i couldn't hear it at all. 6. no reason - again, bass is really nice. guitar's really nice. bass is insane! the vocals throughout this album sometimes get a bit quiet and hard to hear. the past two songs haven't been synced with the lyrics and i cannot understand what is happening lol. 7. little friend - guitar nice. getting a bit sick of the shouting vocals, but with songs this short i can't really complain. loving the stopping and starting. bass is also great again. lots of tempo changes :) 8. out of step - had a break to watch corrie lol. bass is realllly nice again. his voice is nice when it's speaking, but it's not my thing when he's shouting. also why i don't like metal. drums are reall great as well. *9. cashing in - liking the guitar in this one. like when it goes higher. guitar riffs are great. wizard of oz mention <3 even though i like punk music, i've never really listened to hardcore, mainly sticking to uk punk. wasn't sure about the shouty vocals at the start, but grew on me throughout, even if they're still not really my thing. short and sweet. will def give another relisten soon :)

Great album for people trying to get into punk but as a seasoned straight edge enjoyer, this was quaint.

I love the Generator for exposing me to music like this. It’s like the band took rage and existential angst and exaggerates it to a degree where I found it pretty funny. (I have a warped sense of humor.). As for the music the drums are out of this world - the rest not so much. I would never listen to this for enjoyment but I’m glad I’ve heard it. And that it was so short and punchy.

I can see why some people really love this. It’s not for me, though.

Crazy that this came out in 83, but I'm not sure that makes it any good. Sounds exactly like all the boring hardcore that came out 15 years later.

Well... it's a punk album. You already know it will be everything just one note but you will like it anyway. For me, it could be better. Like, you don't want a hysterical boy screaming out loud on your year. neither do I.

Cool.. another punk album.. listening to this first thing, after not enough sleep sucks. My ears have been assaulted, my head hurts. Thankfully it’s a short album.

Mid/high 2? Not my vibe but nothing "bad"

Blind album and artist. I actually got a migraine listening to this so im just gonna put a 1 and move on.

Painful! Lots of out of tune yelling.

Better than I thought it was going to be but I had low expectations.

Worked for me. Not perfect but nowhere near bad either. Also merry Christmas if you’re like me and looking at this instead of talking to in-laws.

I enjoyed listening to this throughout, but nothing stood out. Maybe the last song if anything. Would I revisit it? Maybe. Probably. Is it a generational, monumental ground breaking album? I don't think so.

I noticed that some in our group gave this a pretty low rating before listening to it, but I really enjoyed this. On only 1 listen, I think this is my favorite punk we've had so far. The bassist was insane, and I love the 20-min framework for this album.

Good punk, and doesn't overstay its welcome. I found the mixing frustrating though. Let me hear what youre saying!

I got this on Christmas Eve. It is not the vibe for Christmas Eve. Not sure when this would ever be the vibe TBH though. At least it has the decency to be exceptionally short.

Screaming vocals is an instant turn off for me. I may give it two stars just to reward its brevity.

Salad Days is definitely my favourite Minor Threat album (do I even call them albums?), but this still rocks. Some retard complained in the top reviews that there was no melodies in this album despite this being Minor Threats 'poppiest' record. Eat dirt mate.

Sick album cover. Only 21 minutes but I suppose if it lasted any longer, it wouldn't be as good? Pure aggression, non-stop energy, I was locked in for the entire thing. Go and google why these guys broke up. You will probably think it's artistic differences but you will never guess over what. Highlights: Betray, Look Back and Laugh, No Reason, Cashing In

I like this album a little short and I enjoyed the last track

Reminds me of GreenDay. Kinda liked it

3 out of 5 Bringing back that 80s punk. Reminds me of the skateboard days

That was a banger! "Betray" was a great opening salvo. Not every track did it for me, but I do like when these bands actually try to write a cohesive melody rather than just one chord over and over. I also like short songs from this type of music. Better a couple of tracks at a time than start to finish.

л е г е н д ы

Never been a huge fan of punk. Vocals suck, guitar plays the same riffs. I had to muscle through this.

Angry album that I feel a little too old for.

The best thing about this record is that it's only 20 minutes long. Music like this is just not meant to be listened to at 10am while working from home.

End of last song, cashing in, sounds like the guitar riff from green day holiday. I bet billy joe has heard that one before.

This is basically just a noise. Can see the influence on some later bands such as early Offspring, but at least they had some good tunes. Not many, but some. Closing track is the best here. The rest is like Anal Cunt but the songs aren't as short. Oh, and it's an EP (21 minutes) and EPs shouldn't be included.

Awesome for somebody...but not me!

Meh. I liked the guitars but its just a shame his voice just became noise. Overall an ok album - better than a lot of slop on this list 3 ⭐️

Punk in its purist form.

Cool

A very thoroughly punk album. Favorite track: Betray

3.5

Musically reasonably good, and from the sound of his spoken voice he may well have had a good singing voice. But he chose to scream rather than sing. So that has knocked it down a peg to 2

Yep. I like it. No mucking about. Got something to say and somewhere else to be. There’s even some music going on there too.

This is a decent album to highlight the steady progression from standard Punk Rock to proper Hardcore. I lived to energy and speed, while managing to have decent tunes. I much preferred this to Rollins' lot. After one play it is hard to identify any song as a stand out, but as a whole, I liked it a lot.

Sick of punk music. Why does punk music think it has an excuse to sound shit. Not much patience for it from me, which is fine, because this album is super short. Fave Track: Look Back & Laugh 2.5/5

The essence of hardcore. Couldn't love it more. I wanted so bad to be a punk in high school but at best came across as a latter-day hippie. But the kids gave me credit for being "straight edge" AKA too scared to do drugs. "You think you're the only one? Think again... think again... think again..."

solid bitta punk

Hard and fast but not for long just like me ayy lmao

High energy punk rock album. It is a bit repetitive but with 9 songs and a total run time of 21 minutes it doesn't get boring. The album starts and finishes strong.

Новаторство для своего времени, но мне больше Fugazi нравятся.

Thoughts before listening: Minor Threat rules. Review: This is about as iconic as punk rock gets. I feel like Minor Threat's music is often overshadowed by their straight edge politics, but the band itself was very strong. This album was well recorded with production that sounds better than many of their contemporaries, and there is a lot of tunefulness and strong instrumentation within these short songs. While I would typically listen one of their compilation albums since many of Minor Threat's most iconic songs came from the early singles (only "Out of Step" has been re-recorded for this release), these are still very strong songs: "Betray", "Think Again", "Look Back & Laugh", etc. Punk music has been very important to me through my life and this is one of the iconic bands from that scene. For that reason, I'm giving this 5-stars.

20 minutes was too much, gave up after 10 and listened to the roadworks outside their musical ability was much better. Absolute rubbish.

No thank you. But respect for being short. 2/5.

Don't care for this album. Just just like a bunch of yelling and screaming. Did not enjoy it.

betray. wür gern 4 geh wils eifach cool isch aber ich glaub es gfallt mer 3

Much shouty. Many loud. I run away. Seriously though. This was too angry for me to listen through in one sitting. I took breaks and it still stressed me out.

This is everything I love about hardcore punk — raw, fast, uncompromising, and unapologetically real.

Loud and in your face, as hardcore punk ought to be. But if I'm being honest I couldn't really get into this one. Heard plenty of elements within that were distilled into pop punk in subsequent generations (e.g., The Offspring). Sob Story and No Reason were solid, as was the closer Cashing In. Would have preferred a bit more thickness to the mixing. Overall a very high 2 to a very low 3 for me.

Less is more when it comes to punk and this album definitely checks that box. Every one of these songs could be in a Tony Hawk game. Pretty much your run of the mill punk album, but it might be top 3 punk album on this list because it's so short. Good job, high 3 lol

No thanks

Listened to this while cooking and it ended and played similar punk that I also didn't care for. I could definitely hear some influences for other music I do care for, but I just don't care for this.

This is definitely a classic Minor Threat release. It was their first as a five piece band, and the dual guitar approach really shows. The sound feels more complex compared to their earlier, more straightforward hardcore, and the arrangements are tighter, the riffs hit harder, and the whole album just feels punchier overall. I’ve also always been a fan of their straight edge message. Punk is supposed to be about tearing down the system, breaking the rules, and revolting, but how can you do any of that if you’re a victim of substance abuse? If you’re on a path of self destruction, then everything punk stands for is completely out of reach when you’re high or intoxicated. You become useless, trapped, and exactly where the system wants you to be, which is high, distracted, and non-threatening.

Low effort bs, the vocalist can't sing

love it, but honestly all the songs sound almost identical.

Tripe

This shit puts some pep in your step. Amazing energy and a fun mystery trying to figure out the words!

Just not for me anymore. Maybe when I was younger but it's too punk for me now.

Yet again, another brash short punk album. I’m a huge fan of an album that leaves you wanting more as opposed to drawing it out. Not my favorite punk album, but it’s very easy to listen to to

I’m a punk rock fan but this (first?) hardcore album was just OK. I can’t put my finger on why I didn’t like it more than I did but I think in the end it was kind of forgettable. It just gets an OK rating from me.

Bless them for making this a very short album.

Is this the shortest album? Either way it’s good cause 20 more min of the exact same thing would’ve started to get boring.

I’ve heard of Minor Threat before, but I’ve never listened to any of their music before. When I started this project, hardcore punk was one of the genres that I was really excited that I was going to get to explore, but so far, these albums have been a pretty mixed bag for me (today I learned that Dead Kennedy’s Fresh Fruit is considered hardcore punk). Out of Step wasn’t a five-star album for me, but it’s one of my favorite hardcore punk albums that I’ve gotten to review so far. I thought the guitar playing, drumming, and vocals were all really good. The lyrics were interesting too, and I enjoyed that they provided an insight into how Ian MacKaye felt about the DC hardcore scene at the time. The main thing keeping this album from getting five-stars from me is a matter of personal preference. I tend to enjoy music that has catchy hooks, riffs, and melodies, and hardcore punk just doesn’t scratch that itch for me. Also, I was a bit bummed that this album didn’t have as much social and political commentary as other hardcore punk albums tend to. Some notes on the individual songs: I loved the way that the drums on “Betray” hit like a freight train right out of the gates. I thought it was incredibly effective work. It’s a small detail, but I also loved the little pauses in the music. It’s like Minor Threat was pulling back their fist, getting ready to hit you in the gut again. The guitar riff that opened “Think Again” was excellent. Th guitar work during the bridge was really great too, as was the bass playing towards the end of the song. “Look Back & Laugh” had an excellent opening guitar riff as well, and throughout the whole song. I really loved the drumming too. I loved the biting sarcasm to the lyrics on “Sob Story.” This song was in my top three for favorite lyrics on the album, and I loved the ending ‘boo fucking hoo.’ The opening bass line on “No Reason” was excellent, and I wish the bass guitar had been featured a bit more on this album. The multiple vocal tracks were great too, and I loved the way they made a sound that was just short of an echo. The title track was great, and I loved getting a glimpse into the ethos of the straight edge movement. Ian’s spoken word bit in the middle was really good too. “Cashing In” had my favorite lyrics on the album. I loved Ian’s vocals as well. ‘You had us pegged all along. Damn’ was absolutely brilliant. What a way to end an album. Even though this wasn’t a five-star album for me, I could see myself revisiting Out of Step. This would be an excellent album to listen to while doing some squats or deadlifts. I bet Henry Rollins would agree with that last statement.

Cool punk but honestly most of it just become a guy yelling over some loud guitars and drums. I suppose that’s what punk is but I guess I would’ve liked a bit more melody to it.

At least it was short

Decent. Can hear their influence in punk bands of today like Green Day, Rancid and others.

Might not be THE best hardcore punk ever, but loads of fun. Enjoyed every minute. Low 4

Really fun. Sounds like every punk band I knew at uni. I finally get it

Oh no

Punk. I have never heard of this band before. I quite like the music but their singer, though recognizable, starts to annoy me after ab while, aber that while it's within the albums short runtime of ca. 21 minutes. The music is cool.

for sure I don't love punk, but really? on the top 1001? gah

Gutterly Goated, or Sheeped 😏

**In-Depth Review of *Out of Step* by Minor Threat** Released in 1983, *Out of Step* is the sole studio album by Washington, D.C. hardcore band Minor Threat. Clocking in at just over 21 minutes, it’s a landmark release in punk history, not just for its raw intensity but for its ideological weight. The album crystallizes the ethos of straight-edge hardcore and remains a touchstone for punk musicians and fans alike. --- ### 🎸 **Music & Production** Musically, *Out of Step* is a relentless barrage of fast tempos, power chords, and breakneck rhythm changes. The band’s technical precision—especially drummer Jeff Nelson’s rapid-fire beats and guitarist Lyle Preslar’s sharp riffs—elevates the album above many of its contemporaries. The production is raw but clean enough to distinguish each instrument, giving the album a visceral clarity without sacrificing its underground edge. - **Pros**: Tight musicianship, dynamic song structures, and a raw yet clear production that captures the band’s energy. - **Cons**: Some listeners may find the lack of sonic variety or melody monotonous over the course of the album . --- ### 📝 **Lyrics & Themes** Ian MacKaye’s lyrics are confrontational, introspective, and often laced with sarcasm. Thematically, *Out of Step* is a manifesto of personal accountability, rejecting drugs, alcohol, and complacency. Tracks like the title song “Out of Step” and “Cashing In” are not just personal statements but cultural critiques. - **“Out of Step (With the World)”**: A re-recording from their earlier EP, this track is the straight-edge anthem, with MacKaye declaring, *“I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I don’t fuck…”*—a line that became foundational to the straight-edge movement. - **“Betray”**: A scathing critique of a friend who succumbed to addiction. - **“Cashing In”**: A satirical closer that mocks the idea of selling out, ending with a sarcastic *“Thank you, good night.”* - **Pros**: Lyrically incisive and emotionally raw; themes of integrity, rebellion, and self-discipline resonate deeply in punk culture. - **Cons**: The ideological rigidity of straight-edge may alienate some listeners, and the lyrics can come off as preachy or self-righteous to outsiders . --- ### 🧠 **Influence & Legacy** *Out of Step* is often cited as one of the most influential hardcore punk albums ever. It helped define the sound and ideology of straight-edge hardcore, influencing countless bands from Fugazi to modern acts like Title Fight and Turnstile. The album’s brevity, intensity, and message set a template for DIY punk ethics that still reverberates today. - **Pros**: A genre-defining release that helped shape hardcore punk and the straight-edge subculture. - **Cons**: Its influence has also been co-opted at times, leading to militant or exclusionary interpretations of straight-edge ideology . --- ### ⚖️ **Pros & Cons Summary** | **Pros** | **Cons** | |----------|----------| | Raw, high-energy performances | Short runtime may leave some wanting more | | Lyrically powerful and ideologically bold | Can feel repetitive or one-note to some ears | | Musically tight and well-produced | Straight-edge message may not resonate with everyone | | Hugely influential in punk and hardcore | Some tracks may feel underdeveloped due to length | --- ### 🧾 **Final Thoughts** *Out of Step* is not just an album—it’s a statement. Whether you agree with its message or not, its impact on punk rock is undeniable. It’s a 21-minute burst of youthful defiance, musical precision, and ideological clarity. For fans of hardcore, it’s essential listening. For others, it may be an acquired taste—but one worth trying. > *“This is the kind of punk I like: high energy, high angst, and a surprising amount of talent…”* A near-perfect hardcore punk album that punches above its weight.

Minor Threat make a strong case for hardcore punk on this 21-minute release. A lot of is purely straightforward, but where it does real well is in Ian Mackaye as a frontman and the topics at hand. Though it might make my head spin and hurt sometimes, I am intrigued by the impact of the messages presented. I think that's the goal of the music; that and make you fuckin' throw ya-self around. Punk is a great thing to have around. The music might be simple, but the overall impact of it all goes deep. The fact that Ian Mackaye has something to do with other legendary 80s punk bands (Minor Threat, Fugazi, Dischord label mates Rites of Spring and Nation of Ulysses) is insane and I commend him for it. Along with Descendants, Black Flag, Bad Brains and Dead Kennedys, Minor Threat make a major impression (8/10, 4/5 on this scale)

11/19/25. Cool to dive into DC Hardcore more, realizing that I’ve heard the dinger across multiple bands previously. This one is quick to the punch and doesn’t let up, and thought it was decent. Need to listen more.

Okay. A lot for first thing in the morning.

Incredibly punchy, great driving drums, enjoyed it a surprising amount

One of the great hardcore punk bands, out of DC nonetheless! Fantastic album.

classic hardcore. I like their earlier stuff better though

Oh no - far too angry for someone of my age.

This album is pure punk, loud, messy, short, to the point🤘

I may not be a punk fan, but I can respect the craft and the messaging. 21 minutes is the perfect length for this album—just enough to enjoy it but it doesn’t overstay its welcome. Guitar work is good, and I like the driving force of the drums.

Standard high-speed punk. No like. Also, not sure what makes this “music” unique. A 1.

Just fun punk. The short kind that leaves you wanting more, not the long albums that go on way too long

For a punk album, it was good. Could almost hear the roots of sublime or Green Day in them.

I know this is straightedge, but it reminds me of skater punk. Not that I mind skater punk, but I have to be in a certain mood to appreciate it. I might give it another listen when I need this style.

Not really my thing, but one of the more enjoyable hardcore punk albums I've encountered here. 3*

Hardcore punk isn’t something I regularly have in my rotation but I do understand the appeal. Kinda wish I was around in DC in the 80s because I feel like this is the type of stuff you really have to see live. I don’t see myself listening to these songs again but this was a good album

Liked this one, especially the length compared to yesterday’s! Short and sweet punk album

I appreciate the influence on punk, but it was a bit too much for me

One of those punk albums where everything just blends into a fuzz. Can't really make out the lyrics or the guitar. Makes it all seem very flat. Not for us.

This one will be a mind blow for every first time listener. If you think of punk as sloppy and out of tune (which was always a bullshit trope anyway), this or any other Mjnor Threat album will change your mind. And, but, also: This is what you play your kids when they ask you, “Mom/Dad, is it true that Ian MacKaye was in another band before Fugazi?”

3.0

Fast and furious Hardcore Punk, album is nice and short. Ok listen, not my usual thing.

Short and sharp (apparently the second shortest album in the challenge???) I liked it, although it sounded like pretty generic punk to me. There is a lot of punk on this list!

Apparently punk (and metal) have been studied and is ‘a healthy way of processing anger’, I'm not sure about that - I love it, but I think maybe its just the only thing loud enough to drown out the internal shitshow going on in my head. This was great, I'll be coming back again when I have a spare 21 mins where I'd like to escape the monotony of my own thoughts.

Never, 1/5.

The energy here is absolutely unhinged, but it’s a rage I can't relate to anymore. A relentless sonic assault. That commitment to speed is genuinely impressive, but honestly, it just makes me tense up and want to fast-forward. Spins: 1 Playlist Additions Betray Cashing In

Det e jæklig bråkate, men det e også over på drøyt tyve minutter, så da e det greit. Det e sånt som e morsomt som små drypp, men det e helt klart ikke den typen musikk æ egentlig vil høre på, til det e det for høylytt.

A high speed and aggressive punk experience that's over before you know it, clocking in around 20 minutes. These songs feel like they'd be right at home in a skate video from the 80s/90s or as part of the soundtracks for the Tony Hawk Pro Skater games