Reviews (page 3 of 8)
Well, I dont like punk much but this wasn’t intolerable, some songs were sort of listenable and interesting
Had a lot of punch. Didn't really catch much of the lyrics. High 3
Influential or not this is pretty basic stuff
Not for me
I’m not a mosh pit kind of guy, but I’d like to witness the pit at this show from a safe distance. I am a big fan of singers growling and shouting incomprehensibly over the top of manically crunching guitars with relentless pummeling bass and drums. This series of incredibly short punk songs are to my mind the quintessential punk sound, given this comes from 1979 I now know who was responsible for it! My main criticism is that the last third of this record really drags. For the first 11 songs it's a thrill ride, then from The Other Newest One onwards it felt like they had nothing new to say.
It’s not for me, i have trouble with the fascist symbolism and some of the lyrics and am not particularly game for contextualising it as early punk shock value, the music is good, i’m not big on the vocals but the guitar playing is excellent throughout and I definitely hear the influence in modern hardcore and hardcore emo artists i like - a 3 for me
I really dig the cover. That’s a 5 out of 5 for me. Simple, eye catching, appealing. The music behind it is that kind of East Village dive bar bathroom, scuzzy-filthy, headache-inducing punk that just doesn’t do it for me. I can see why people would have indulged this scene back in the day, but in our time, I see absolutely no reason to subject yourself to this.
This is great music to use to seriously thrash around the room if you're having a bad day. It doesn't always sound like they're playing well together, but hey, it's punk. I like the guitar playing, and then I read about the Germs and learned that this was actually Pat Smear!
i like the music but not the way he sings. i wish i could rate it higher fav song: Richie Dagger's Crime
This is really really good you know. Punk isnt my genre, I'm more of a post-punk boy, but the production is top-notch (thanks Joan), the frontman lyricist is absolutely what this band needs, but my god, Pat Smear MAKES this album. His guitar work ascents this to at least an 8.
Hard Punk, 1979 -> 1
not my taste
Pretty decent album that could turn into a 4* with repeated listens
Its ok and my stlye of music, but i dont like what he does with his voice. Just kind of yelling to yell and im not really a fan of that. some good songs but others i could take off the album. They have a kind of Descendents speed and style but dont like these guys as i do Descendents. Didn't finish the album but don't think i was going to because i didn't enjoy it much. 3/5
Whatever.
Seeing as this came out in ‘79, I’m assuming it’s here because it was influential. It’s not great though, like borderline hard to listen to.
Heyrðu, langt síðan að ég henti í ás. Það skásta við þetta er líklega að hávaðinn heima í stofu er væntanlega minni en að við að hafa verið á tónleikum með þeim.
Like most punk, this may have been significant for its time, but is not worth listening to now.
Love the sound, I can't wait until these guys learn about keys.
Wow I wish I could understand what the lyrics were. The songs all blend together for me.
It's as punk as punk can be. But that also means I don't need to listen to it more than once.
I normally would enjoy some rough punk but the recording on this is weird. The vocals are turned up but still incomorehensible. The best part are the instrumentals but as it went on, even those started to grate from sheer abrasiveness.
I love punk, but this is pretty fucking horrible.
Decent punk album.
The beginnings of Pat Smear, Belinda Carlisle, and hardcore punk. Yes, as a punk album, it very clearly sounds like the beginnings. But it's polished and so, so influential. Influence 4. Hits 1. Quality 4. Intangibles 3. Don't hate or love it 3.
GI Germs was a fictional character created by Len Houmous in a Vietnam War sitcom he wrote in 1985. 1.0 7/16 Lexicon Devil
This is some great punk rock. It's barely controlled chaos. I'm glad it was pointed out to me check out the lyrics. Otherwise I would zero idea what I was missing. I wonder if I had ever seen them live if I would feel the same way.
I am sure this was groundbreaking at the time, just not my cup of tea.
1.5
I don't love the snotty punk singing style, but the songs are, and it pains me to use the word, catchy. High-tempo fun.
Its punk that's great but there's better
This was a painful listen. I was counting down the minutes until this one was over. It's mainly due to the lead singer's voice sounding like someone was putting him through a meat grinder. But none of the songs stood out; there are no hooks, mediocre playing and production (from Joan Jett), and nothing original to say. Unlike the best punk, there are no anti-facist or anarchic sentiments, the singer just rails against himself. It's boring nihilism. I'm giving it a star for going against corporate rock bloat and for them having no interest in conforming to expectations of the time. But, holy crap, that voice....
Boring stuff. Songs blend together into a sludge of three chords max on out of tune guitars, terrible growling, and dull, meaningless lyrics. The best punk is political - to me at least, cutting lyrics justify and enhance the chaotic energy of the music. Or at the very least, a good punk band has a competent and entertaining frontman like Jello Biafra. A lot of this is just noise to me, not good punk
Not as abrasive as I thought it would be.
Pretty good
A really cool album that’s a little ahead of its time, spearheading the US hardcore movement. Personally, I’d like to see Descendents’ debut here, as it is more varied and has a few better songs, but all in all this is solid. No clonkers, but not too many instant classics either
I prefer more melodic music. Good energy though.
Начало очень резкое, прям как с ноги влители. Че за бред? Они очень дерганые и все в разнобой, музыка одно, песня другое. Не люблю такое. Я не могу это слушать. Голоса нету, поют ужасно, музыка тоже так себе, нет никакого мотива, одинаковые аккорды, не понимаешь когда началась служебная песня. Ощущение будто какие то бомжы на улице кревляються. Фу. Ну, со временем уже получше стало, слушать возможно. Однако 2 из 5
3.5
I hate giving 1's, but what's a MF supposed to do?
Nah
Nope.
No thank yew xx
👎🏻
Album 64 Top 3 "favorites" off the album: Richie Dagger's Crime, We Must Bleed, Manimal I don't mind unintelligible lyrics sometimes. I don't mind hardcore sometimes. I don't even mind them together. This is another album where it's the vocalist who gets on my nerves. I like what's going on as far as energy goes. I can hear where Green Day got their sound early on. This is exactly the kind of album I need to be listening to this morning. It's fast, it's loud, it's leaning heavy in the treble way. I liked the guitar solo at the beginning of Richie Dagger's Crime. Lexicon Devil reminded me of a sick cat I'm afraid. I thought the very abrupt endings were funny but also felt unfinished. It wasn't even a clean cutoff; it was like someone just stopped the recording and moved on to recording the next song. Overall, it's alright. It went on maybe 10 minutes too long. I just won't listen to it again.
Wow I hate this genre
loved this, inspired me to watch The Decline of Western Civilization
It’s a forgettable punk album
No thank you.
Couldn’t get thru it
This was painful. I liked the music. Those vocals though…they were like vomit-screaming hopped up on speed. You couldn’t understand the lyrics, maybe thy were decent I have no idea. Plus they seemed almost out of sync with the music itself, like they were playing at 2 different speeds. It made for an extremely long 38 minutes. 2/5 because I did enjoy the music anyway.
Yea man. This is the mid to late 70s slash early 80s punk I used to love when I was like 18. Raw. Hard to rate - strong 3 if not a 4 ...
Pretty solid punk rock. Apparently it's the first punk rock record ever? Sounds like they already had the formula down.
Not for me
Instrumentals are decent. I can’t for the life of me understand what this guy is saying. If you’re gonna make angry music, you should probably let everyone know what you’re angry about.
Coolio
Heavy metal is certainly not on my side
I didn't enjoy this album that much, a lot of the songs sounded the same and it wasn't my style of music.
Ordentliche Hardrockpower aus den 70er. Zeitlose Sounds zur Gartenarbeit oder Steuererklärung.
A Joan Jett production!
Important for its intersection of east coast hardcore and LA punk. Produced by Joan Jett? That's worth at least three stars.
These guys suck donkey dick. I’m reading a punk book where one of the main LA guys says that everyone knew the Germs sucked, but their shows were the real draw. So why is this a required album? My tirade against the constant awful music coming out of LA continues. New York and UK punk are the peak, then the rest of Europe and Midwest US, and then below all of that resides the LA scene. I thought reading more about them would give me a new angle to appreciate, but honestly the opposite. All of the Dangerhouse guys sound like complete assholes. They never understood the good elements of punk and just took the shit. Rating: 1.3
Loud, energetic and pretty interesting. But no real standouts and a little raw for me.
I just saw Pat Smear with the Foo Fighters the other day. Well… I hated this record. Punk Rock is so uninspiring…. At least this kind of punk rock. Boring everything. Annoying vocals.
Shite.
Noisy and annoying
First song: actually pretty cool 5 songs in: getting a bit annoyed Another 5 songs: please be over
alright
Raw
5 seconds in. Nope
Not for me
I hear it's influential, but I didn't really enjoy it.
A lot of it is unintelligible noise. At least each track is short. Best song: The Other Newest One
Not sure. Came2 years after punk. So what is the interest ?
Punk is punk, it speaks to one or not. If I think about album that are experienced during this project I use reasoning to give one start to irritating or bad records. Germs doesn't irritate me but in the same time it doesn't give much. Two for this.
Listens like generic pre-hardcore punk rock to me, doesn't do anything for me. Kind of in the Sex Pistols bucket of things, which has not been my favourite box of chocolates. Feels like it's less about the music and more about the performative end of things, type thing.
Shite
Okay this is actually awesome.. the fucking guitar tone is so good, like that shit rips like a chainsaw but is also so fluid. Not to mention for 1979 this sound is so ahead of its time. The songs dont overstay their welcome like some of these other older punk albums. Minus a star just because the vocals aren’t for me
Germs? Noen mener at dette er det første hardcore punk-albumet som er gitt ut. Problemet mitt med (hardcore) punk, er at det oppleves som ensartet og repetitivt. Har ikke sjans til å skille de ulike låtene fra hverandre her. Jeg er en fan av punk-estetikken, men jeg foretrekker mindre voldsomme varianter av sjangeren. Top 3: Manimal, Lexicon Devil, Communist Eyes
i'm just bored
💩💩💩
Lovely! Some classics one here.
Will revisit but it's probably a 2
The Germs made me feel miserable but I was able to quickly recover by not listening to them any longer after the first few songs.
Short and not so sweet songs. That’s the great thing about punk songs is they are usually like 2min long. Couldn’t understand a single word. Every song sounded like the last. It’s probably on here for being one of the first of it’s kind but it just didn’t do anything for me. 5/10
Very fast paced and lots of energy. Didn’t dislike it but just lacked something that would’ve made me like it more
I think this was on the list because of the short-lived maniac history of this punk-band with the infamous end of the lead singer's life. I personally don't enjoy it as much as other hardcore punk albums either.
Why is your main goal to piss me off? What is this shit. I mean I'll listen to it but I am NOT happy. This is actual dog shit. Nothing about this is good. I am way fucking over it. They need to wrap up their career. Experimentation is not a good look on them and they can go ahead and put the mic down. Fuck this and fuck you too tbh.
Muito poluído para mim.
Þetta var grjóthart og geggjað! Meira svona.
Grjóthart og geggjað pönk.
What language was this in
not my thing - did not finish the album
I did not have to listen to this before I die lol
1/5
I have not heard of this band before but I read a little bit about them so I am definitely anticipating some punk rock. I also accidentally clicked on the reviews first and saw the ratings for this album are not that good. Track 1 was not that bad to be honest. This seems like punk I can get behind. The first three tracks have kind of sounded the same. I am feeling pretty indifferent about this album. I do not hate it but I do not love it either.
This is the blueprint for all the Hardcore bands that came in the early 80ies. This is pretty cool stuff.
Before: Hmm, Germs + 1979 = Punk or punkish? I do recognize the name but don't think I was a big fan back in the day. During: Well if this on the list I sure hope Dead Kennedys and Black Flag are. Can't say I was ever a big fan of this genre. To me it's similar to rap in that the music in not at all interesting after you've listened to the first song. I mean, it all sounds kind of the same. What's the point of making essentially the same song over and over again. Looks like there is one album each from DK and BF coming up, but I would have chosen a different album from DK which is Plastic Surgery Disasters, which I do like. Now 6 songs in, looks like it's going to be 2. Looking at the reviews, I see a lot of 1's and a lot of 5's, which seems appropriate. I do like, Lexicon Devil, We Must Bleed, Shut Down. After : After doing some research I see this is considered a pretty important album. For that reason I'd say it should be on this list. However, I don't really like this genre that much so it's getting a 2 from me.
Not my cup of tea at all.
38 minutes & 15 tracks of redundant noise. Obviously I’m not a fan.
Oh my sweet non-denominational deity. Punk? Aggressive punk? Not just britpop with leather and mohawks?? Upon this exalted day, I offer a change of heart and want to thank the writers of this wretched tome. In amongst the now tear-stained pages of Madonna records, and DickNut McTriedAcidOnce operettas from 1971, there is the occasional gem. Something with urgency. Something with something to say RIGHT NOW and LOUDLY. Art that couldn't be contained and needed to get out lest the artist implode. While the singer did end up dying shortly after the release of "GI," this is a lasting smoking crater upon the musical landscape. Holy hell this thing rips. Throat-shredding vocals, visceral rage distilled into sonic form, along with extended, dissonant closers and damn near black metal riffing at some points. All written in 1979 by people who were essentially kids? THIS is something all people should experience once. An album that belongs on the list, as a monument to rage, wasted youth, and youth who feel wasted. Not a perfect record, but perfection isn't very punk now is it? This is a towering middle finger to you, me, and just about everything else, and that is what this world really needs. Yum! More caustic disdain please! 4.5 HIGHLIGHTS: What We Do is Secret, Communist Eyes, Land of Treason, Lexicon Devil, Our Way, Shut Down (Annihilation Man)
I gave it a 3 as musically was decent. It was a typical punk album, short intense songs. Some had better lyrics than others.
There is a power in this music that overwhelms me. It gave me chills listening to this again. Just a perfect punk record.
107/1001 First listen. Punk music. I don’t get it. Amateur vocals. Weak production. It all sounds so Low effort to me. That could all be forgiven if the songs were there. Sounds like all attitude no substance to my ear. Some punk reviews as well. I gUeSs I’m A sNoB! 3/10
Good early American hardcore stuff, but not that interesting.
Overall Rating- 5/10 Favorite Song: Richie Dagger’s Crime
Nervig
First time listening. Enjoyed the tight 70s punk sound - reminded me a bit of the Stooges (no bad thing). Saved Manimal for my playlist
Old hardcore punk album. I like it but I don't like, like it like it. but I get it
Great early LA hardcore with a wild singer
I'm not really into that kind of stuff, but I guess it's pretty good in the standards of the genre
Now that's what I call hardcore punk with an agressive and rebellious energy. The singer's delivery is filled with rage! Great stuff! Also, very impressive for 1979!
Too loud, screaming and drums, but that was the style back then
I appreciate punk music, I like some of it. I didn't care for this.
It's just noise innit Favourite track: We All Bleed
I really like how this minimalist cover complements the one from yesterday’s “Ladies and Gentlemen…”. I like punk as a general rule and I enjoyed this at first, but past the halfway point, it started to feel a bit grating and I stopped paying as close attention to individual tracks. To be fair, I listened to this at the end of a long work day right before bed, which really isn’t the ideal setting for any hardcore punk album. 3
Felt like I heard the whole thing within 30 seconds
Too much energy, nothing I can cling to and enjoy. It's like they mashed instrument together and thought they could hide their mishaps with more noise.
1979 is crazy (not a SP reference). Life-changing? No. Boost of energy? Yes.
I’m sorry I feel like I could have died without listening to this album. It honestly just sounded like a bunch of noise and the lead singer’s voice sounded truly awful. This was not an enjoyable listen to me and I will not be seeking this album out again. Usually I like punk music but this album was not my cup of tea.
First song clocking in at under a minute- check; 16 songs in about 38 minutes at an average length of 2 minutes each - check; loud, hard, aggressive punk- check. This checked a lot of boxes. Listening to this as I did while sweeping my driveway is possibly the most unpunk thing ever though. 3 out of 5 for this
DNF
I like the beats, just can’t understand a word that is being said
Sure, I see some appeal here
Almost made my didn't listen to list but made it to the 3rd track which I liked. Then did some historical background on them and this inspired me to give it a total listen out of curiosity and there minimalistic musical approach. The songs are very short like from back in the early years of rock n roll.
I get why people did not vibe with this but damn...what a discovery for me. Bass tone in particular absolutely ripped and finding out it was a woman in punk playing this lines was awesome
Courtney: good, fun, a little repetitive Craig: I thought I would like it more.
Listenable but rather samey.
Pretty straightforward punk rock. I like the music, but the growling vocals don't do it for me. It sounds like if Dave Mustaine sang for a punk band, and not in a great way. All the songs are fine, but I caught myself feeling bored despite the chaotic music. I usually love punk, especially from this era, but this one didn't do it for me. Maybe it would improve if I heard it at a different time.
Punk is not in the usual rotation. Music is fun, pretty easy listening experience. His voice is a little rough
pas mon style 😔✊🏼
The first two tracks are genuinely dreadful — proper “turn it off” material. But after that, the album becomes this odd back‑and‑forth: one minute it’s utter rubbish, the next it’s actually not half bad. Chaotic, messy, occasionally brilliant… but mostly chaotic.
Basically the Ramones but better in every way: more aggressive, more raw, more punk. That being said, I'm just not a fan of 70s/80s punk. It's so...empty.
Can’t say much about this one, probably the least imaginative so called proto punk band that was foisted on an unsuspecting music world
There's a place for this kind of "music". And that place is the dustbin.
Don't mind a bit of skate punk and in fact recognise one of these tracks from an early 90s skate video. I get that its not for everyone and part of my rating is probably down to nostalgia....
Don't mind a bit of punk sometimes. Never heard of these...think I know why
Further proof that punk sucks? I'm just asking the questions here, man.
just nottttt my vibe at all. couldn’t listen. couldn’t finish
Fine. Didn’t really hit for me.
it can lay as i sleep
Lowkey erratic.
This is heaving, sweaty, gasping for air music that luck and fortune seem to be owed for what was captured at all. Knowing the year and the sound is now a ominous tell in music history that the blueprint for so much punk and hardcore had arrived: it is an indispensable document of early Hardcore and West Coast punk. In the year of the release of '(Gi)', Germs were playing harder, faster, and closer to the razors edge of coherence than any of their contemporaries (except maybe Crass, in regards to speed and intensity, who released 'Feeding of the 5000' in the same year; the manifesto-punk aspect of their music seems to have forbade them from even thinking about the rolling snarls and slurred whips that Darby Crash blessed us with, however.) Even compared to the infinite number of Germs' hard-fast-loud successors there is a sonic quality of a searing exposed-nerve, un-numbed by drink and pill, that simply won't be replicated beyond '(Gi)' and the moments in which it was captured and released. That all being said, it is a punk/hardcore album, and how does anyone critically evaluate an album that lives in its flaws, and would not exist if it's seemed purpose was not to embody damage? As I work through this project of listening to one of 1089 (at last I checked, the total quantity following additions to new editions of the "1001 ATLTBYD" book) albums, daily, I knew sooner or later I would have to contend with the ugly chore of assigning an album to a hierarchy to one that it has no place being around in the first. I've been writing on some strategies and rationales for assigning star ranks to difficult-to-place music, and (grateful for the challenge) Germs' '(Gi)' has broken all my frameworks. Personnel-wise, while the lineup at the time of recording, as a whole were both individually and collectively extremely talented and creative, singer Darby Crash in particular was haunted by Heroin addiction. While addictions can play out as inward dramas, without many outside the afflicted's circle made aware, their own terrible modes of outward destruction, although less exposive, are not to be downplayed. To the members' credit, though when comparing modes of destruction to the toxic antics that more mainstream musicians were guilty of, Germs' were more food fight than actual fight. Of notable flaws, there is weird phasing on the drums, particularly heard in the cymbals, on “Manimal” and “Our Way”. 'm not sure if this was a production choice or an engineering misstep. The newscast samples on "Media Blitz" seem applied with the intention to be clever, but come off heavy handed and distracting. I love all the instruments. The playing is intense and relentless. Lorna Doom's restless and punchy bass provides unexpected melodic structure while sticking tightly with Don Bolle's whitewater rushing drums. Pat Smear's guitar breaths on top, in a balanced mix of weedwacker hammering and punctuation of sustained chord. There are moments where guitar growls and Darby are nearly indistinguishable. Does a punk album even want to be a five? I doubt Germs would have cared for a three. In some ways the historical significance and quality-within-the-context-of-genre defies the assumed goals of "(Gi)". My ranking is inherently pointless, but still needs to proceed. For all that, I fight against giving it a four and give it a three. Fun fact: Belinda Carlisle played drums for Germs, briefly.
Jeez - what a lot of old crap.
some good guitar moments. i bet id tear it up live
Typical punk - loud, short songs, all sound the same. It wasn’t the worst thing I’ve ever heard, but it wasn’t good.
I’ve always had a real soft spot for the Germs and Darby Crash. I remember first learning about them in college and just being taken by their story, their sad, tragic story. Darby, this messed up, probably queer, kid who had a rough life and who couldn’t sing a note, but had this whole inner world of turmoil and was so literate and complex and angry and philosophical. The lyrics of Germs songs, despite barely being comprehensible are so rich - not a lot of other contemporary punk bands could say that, imo. He was always hurting so much, and he extinguished his own flame far, far too young. 22. A baby. Pat Smear also incredible here. A virtuoso on the guitar. His sound is so solid and fun, and you can see how he went on to influence bands like Nirvana. Germs really hit me hard, man.
I always think hard-core is better live. Apparently this was not better live though, so idk.
I don’t really know what to make of punk. Is it good? Is it bad? This wasn’t as bad as some of the other punk on her, but equally wasn’t as good as some of the other punk on here. Middle of a very bumpy, pot hole-ridden road.
Excellent short spiky punk
No thanks but I get it
No
1979 - one of the first ever hardcore punk albums. The only album they released before their lead singer, Darby Crash, committed suicide. The songs all kinda sound the same and nothing stood out. But it was kinda cool
Es como si el demonio de tasmania te estuviera gritando en el oído. No se que tan icónico son estos grupos que sigo escuchando o como revolucionaron un género. (Si es que lo lograron para empezar.) Siento que una persona que elige los álbums quiere sentirse especial al elegir la cagada mas grande que se puede encontrar. https://youtu.be/81zVbLrVSkg?si=tGj9tFgFAw9K9t6j
I’m glad I don’t ‘get’ punk.
This is getting a really high rating because 70s-80s punk was kinda made for me and I love it
Interesting to listen to this so soon after Black Flag. I liked it more as a listening experience but not enough to earn it an extra star. I found the music and Crash's voice interesting. Manimal was one of my favorites.
Pretty good hardcore punk album. This won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I do believe this is an important record. Creating this kind of sound in the 1970s is wild. Solid 3/5
Standard punk not unenjoyable
ehhhhh
That was awful. It's just noise, and not even close to being listenable let alone pleasant. Even though some of the tracks barely lasted a minute, it often felt like hours when listening. I couldn't make it all the way through, so it's 1 star only.
Album felt like it went on a lot longer than it actually did. There’s like two okay punk songs amongst it, the rest is just drivel.
I think this might have just been noise. Some of it was enjoyable but it was overall chaotic nonsense.
Cannot tell what they’re saying, early punk, bit edgy for me
I wish I could give it a 0
Fine
Mostly just noise.
Historical record and amongst the best of punk in history, this album by Germs is hard, raw and led to new dimensions within the punk scene. Truly a great album.
Another genre that’s not really for me. It’s ok but I can’t ever see myself watching this live or choosing to listen to this. Next
Mehhh
**In-Depth Review of *GI* by the Germs** *(Lyrics, Music, Production, Themes & Influence)* --- ### 🔥 **Album Overview** Released in 1979 on Slash Records and produced by **Joan Jett**, *GI* (short for *Germs Incognito*) is the **only studio album** by Los Angeles hardcore punk band **the Germs**. It’s widely regarded as **one of the first full-length hardcore punk albums**, and despite the band’s short lifespan, *GI* became a **cornerstone of American punk**, influencing countless bands in the decades that followed. --- ### 🎤 **Lyrics: Nihilism, Identity, and Chaos** Frontman **Darby Crash** was a self-styled nihilist with a five-year plan for fame and self-destruction. His lyrics are **cryptic, aggressive, and often unintelligible**, but they carry a **raw emotional weight** that reflects his inner turmoil and disillusionment with society. - **“Lexicon Devil”** is a standout, with its sneering demand: *“gimme gimme this, gimme gimme that”*—a sarcastic take on consumerism and desire. - **“We Must Bleed”** repeats the line *“I want out now”*, a chilling foreshadowing of Crash’s eventual suicide. - **“Richie Dagger’s Crime”** is often interpreted as a **gay anthem**, exploring themes of alienation and identity. - **“Manimal”** is a feral, almost demonic track where Crash channels Iggy Pop but pushes it further into chaos. > Crash’s delivery is **slurred, barked, and stretched to breaking point**, making the lyrics feel like **verbal shrapnel**—you don’t always understand them, but you *feel* them . --- ### 🎸 **Music: Fast, Feral, and Tight** Musically, *GI* is **fast, abrasive, and relentless**, but **far from sloppy**. Guitarist **Pat Smear** (later of Nirvana and Foo Fighters) brings **surprising musicality** to the chaos, with **sharp riffs, subtle flourishes**, and **tight rhythmic control**. - Songs rarely exceed **2 minutes**, delivering **punches of energy** without overstaying. - **“Strange Notes”** features a **brutal guitar tone**, while **“Dragon Lady”** twists rhythms in unexpected ways. - **“Shut Down (Annihilation Man)”**, the **9-minute closer**, is a **hypnotic, slow-burning dirge** that collapses the album into a noisy, drugged-out haze . > The band plays with **precision beneath the distortion**, proving that **hardcore doesn’t have to be musically brain-dead** . --- ### 🎧 **Production: Joan Jett’s Raw Brilliance** Produced by **Joan Jett**, *GI* strikes a **perfect balance between rawness and listenability**. It captures the **ferocity of the Germs’ live shows** without sacrificing clarity. - The **guitars are sharp**, the **drums punchy**, and the **vocals sit just above the mix**, allowing Crash’s chaos to shine. - Jett’s production **threaded the needle** between **abrasiveness and accessibility**, making *GI* **listenably brutal**—a rarity in punk at the time . --- ### 🧠 **Themes: Nihilism, Fame, and Self-Destruction** The album is **steeped in nihilism**, but it’s not just teenage rebellion—it’s **calculated and self-aware**. - Crash’s **five-year plan** (fame by 1979, death by 1980) is **etched into the album’s DNA**. - Tracks like **“We Must Bleed”** and **“Media Blitz”** critique **societal decay**, **media saturation**, and **personal imprisonment**. - The **gay subtext** in songs like **“Richie Dagger’s Crime”** adds **layers of identity politics** rarely explored in early punk . --- ### ⚡ **Influence: The Blueprint for Hardcore** *GI* is **ground zero for American hardcore punk**. It **predates** Black Flag’s *Damaged*, Minor Threat’s *Out of Step*, and Bad Brains’ self-titled debut. - Bands like **Hüsker Dü**, **Minor Threat**, and **Circle Jerks** **owe a debt** to the Germs’ **speed, aggression, and attitude**. - The album’s **short song structures**, **shouted vocals**, and **anti-melodic approach** became **templates for hardcore**. - Even **metal and noise acts** cite *GI* as an influence due to its **raw power and sonic extremity** . --- ### ✅ **Pros** - **Raw, unfiltered energy** that still feels alive 45+ years later. - **Pat Smear’s guitar work** is **underrated and inventive**. - **Darby Crash’s vocals** are **iconic and unmatched** in their **feral desperation**. - **Joan Jett’s production** is **perfectly balanced**—raw but clear. - **Influential beyond measure**—a **foundational hardcore document**. - **Short, punchy songs** that **never overstay their welcome**. --- ### ❌ **Cons** - **Lyrics are often unintelligible**, which may frustrate listeners seeking clarity. - **Lo-fi aesthetic** might turn off those used to polished production. - **Repetitive song structures** can feel **monotonous** to non-punk ears. - **“Shut Down (Annihilation Man)”** is **divisive**—some find it **boring or overlong** . --- ### 🏁 **Final Verdict** *GI* is **not just a punk album—it’s a manifesto of destruction, identity, and rebellion**. It’s **messy, mean, and magnificent**, and it **still sounds dangerous** today. Whether you’re a punk veteran or a curious newcomer, *GI* is **essential listening**—a **snapshot of a band that burned too bright and too fast**, but left a **permanent scar** on the face of music. > **Rating: 9.5/10** > A **masterpiece of controlled chaos** and **the birth cry of American hardcore**.
Yesterday I had Television. Today Germs. Both late 70s, both American, both 'punk'. But worlds apart. One melodic, the other angry with short tracks that are generally cut off at the knees after 2 minutes. Sad to read that their leader went the same way as Sid Vicious. Chalk and cheese - but liked both the same. Great until the final track Shut Down which is just a total mess and makes this a 3
It’s pretty middle of the road as far as punk of this time goes, cool that we get to hear a pre-Foo Fighters/Nirvana Pat Smear on guitar here though.
Banger
It's in-you-face, unappologetic punk. If that's your thing, this album is for you. It's a bit too chaotic for my taste. I like vocals with a tone.
Honest angry punk
Snarly and raw. The last song is a bit too much for me, but overall I liked it.
Ei
Lexicon Devil has got to be one of the best punk songs of all time
This album is just gross awful noise. And to make it even worse, all the songs sound the same. If you're going to sound bad, at least have some creativity. Every song on here is one of the worst songs I've ever listened to.
22nd album with group. I don’t like hardcore or post-hardcore. Anything more hardcore than Sex Pistols is probably too hardcore for me. Good Songs - Nothing. Bad Songs - What We Do Is Secret, Communist Eyes, Land of Treason, Richie Dagger’s Crime, American Leather, Lexicon Devil, Manimal, Our Way, We Must Bleed, The Other Newest One, Let’s Pretend, Dragon Lady, The Slave, and Shut Down (Annihilation Man).
Could not understand a word he said, would not have liked it even if I did. Greasy ass music made by greasy ass people
Okay kind of unenjoyable to listen to with earbuds on but if I was in some stinky dive bar and this band was playing I would definitely be into it so I have to consider that in my rating
It wasnt super terrible other than the last song
#yup
If you screamed obnoxiously over upbeat guitar riffs in the 70s and 80s then odds are that your project made this list! Vastly below pedestrian project with a sound I’ve heard done wayyy better. At least it was only 38 minutes…
Cool!
What makes this album so interesting is the fact that it may be the first album that can be properly labeled as 'Hardcore Punk'. If it isn't the first, it still is a pioneer of the genre. You have everything to expect from the style. Fast and pumping drums, noisy and distorted guitar riffs and bass lines, and screaming. There are also some melodic parts coming from both bass, guitar and voice that help to break a bit of the monotony of only playing fast riffs and yelling. And with that, I think I have described all the album. It is very simple in concept and ideas, but manages to be a solid experience with enough variation in its sound to not feel too repetitive.
Abrasive, unpleasant
Abrasive but a good listen that I'm glad I have listened to. Some solid riffs at times.
5/10 just not for me
It's fucking great. It's snotty and sneering. It's raw and brash. It's smug and loud. Most of the tracks are incredibly short and fast. Like punk should be. It's a proper punk album by a proper punk band.
Nothing great here. I'm not the biggest fan of punk.
Не все, что имело влияние на музыку как таковую, всё-таки обязательно слушать...этот альбом в том числе
All these songs sound the same.
Some incredible hardcode pretty early into the genre's conception. There's an intensity here that still manages to remain composed and melodic throughout, be it in the riffs or the little vocal lines (loosely) traced by Darby. It's not as fast as many of the acts to come, per se, but there is something truly sinister about the lyricism, riffs, and mixing here. I'd say that's most obvious early on in 'Land of Treason,' - a song that feels almost apocalyptic in its commentary, and I love the little interludes with those faded guitar hits. 'Lexicon Devil' was maybe the most catchy and '70s punk rock-sounding song here; this riff wouldn't sound out of place on a Ramones record. The following 'Manimal' has my favorite intro on the whole album, easily, with this very sludgey progression before absolutely firing off. It's also a great showcase of how incredible the bass playing is throughout this thing; it's super tight and makes itself apparent at all the right moments. I even enjoyed the very noisy and sort of jammy closer 'Shut Down', the noisy feedback guitar just going off in the background felt remarkably ahead of its time. A pretty damn great hardcore album, one that's as addicting as it is horrendous. Some of the absolute dirtiest that the genre has to offer.
Punk was dead by 1979, there is no reason this album should be held in any respect, rehashing at least 4 year old tropes.
Tried to get through this many times, I think I mostly did? Not sure what happened with me on that Pink Flag album, was hypnotized for a minute there. Overall though, I think what Pink Flag did that this does not is avoid the monotony of what a punk album can be. Nothing can shine through if its all drenched in distortion. I didn't hate this - just not a full listen type of an album.
Blah. Not for me
average punk record
It’s fast, noisy, and chaotic. Darby Crash’s vocal delivery and lyrics are unique and strange. Barely coherent at times. The guitar and bass lines complement each other well and keeps the thing engaging. I really like the aesthetics of the cover art. It’s simple but fits so well. Sorta hard to believe this came out in 1979. This is a very influential punk record and is the only studio album by the Germs (mainly due to Darby Crash’s death in 1980). 4.1/5 Facts: GI was produced by Joan Jett. The guitarist Pat Smear would later join Nirvana and the Foo Fighters.
Álbum bem Cru. Punk com qualidade. TRN Conch.
Being one of the first hardcore punk albums, this likely packed a bigger punch when it was released than it does today. In a world with more abrasive forms of music, the screechy guitar and unhinged vocals aren't enough to make up for the fact that most of these songs follow the basic hardcore formula. "Lexicon Devil" is probably the best song, but it's not different necessarily, it just has a more interesting vocal melody. The bass is a strong point, especially on the final track. That one does deviate from the formula; it's a nine minute plodding nightmare where the comparatively tame vocals sound more sinister than the shouts on the rest of the album. This is a nice history lesson for punk rock, but it doesn't do any thing unique enough to make it worth revisiting.
2/10
Well that was punk music.
After the opening notes, I was, like, "Yeah! This kicks ass!" And it's fun, but... it's just 40 minutes of mostly the same. I love the energy, and it's good, but I don't consider it great. This deserves more than 3 stars, but I don't think it's quite 4, so rounding down in order to keep the group of 4+ star albums exclusive. (Not to even mention that I actually got bored and didn't finish the last few songs, which based on the number of Spotify listens, are not the best songs on the album.)
Medium well done punk, at its finest.
I LOVE really loud music (Wonderful Rainbow, on this website's bottom 20 albums, is one of my personal favorites), so it comes as a disappointment when I say that I didn't enjoy this particularly much at all. I feel ridiculous criticizing classic punk rock for lacking dynamics, or having simplistic instrumentation, or having obnoxious vocals, but when every track sounds indistinguishable from one another, then all those traits become impossible to ignore. Maybe it'll hold up better on a re-listen, because from what I've gleamed through research, this is a classic of the LA punk scene. But listen number one was not promising.
I thought it was ok. Eva said it sounded like gibberish.
Not my era, not my genre, and I like audible lyrics.
Классика - самое то, чтобы давить хуесосов-байкеров и толкать мет 7/10
Sometimes there’s something amidst the chaos.
Decent 3,5
Sounds like punk rock beginnings… but never made it.
i can appreciate how this was super influential to a lot of people i listen to but overall i found his voice super annoying and some parts were hard to listen to
I appreciate punk and its place in history, but with hardcore, unless I heard it when I was, say, 13, the genre is hard for me to get into. Can’t say I’ll be spinning this one again anytime soon but the Wikipedia page for the Germs and Darby Crash is pretty entertaining. Favorite detail: Belinda Carlisle was their drummer but never played with them because of “an extended bout of mononucleosis.”
It's noisy punk. The bass has an almost ska-like feel, and the guitar progression does have some melody to it. But the vocals and overall sound is all noise. Not my thing.
If 17 year old me had seen them play at the Old Redmond Firehouse, I probably would have loved it. Nearly-50-year-old me has 3 or 4 songs like this in me before I need a break.
This started out okay but the really mediocre to bad vocals got very hard to listen to by 'Manimal.' & when I saw that was only halfway through this already short album, I knew I couldn't rate this higher.
I was a huge fan of Punk when I was as a teenager and I probably would have loved this album if I heard it at the time. These days I can appreciate the music, but Darby’s voice is a little annoying to me.
2.5
I was reading the Wikipedia write-up they mentioned this being the first full-length hardcore punk album. I think that's not quite accurate in that this is definitely not as loud as it and abrasive as I find most hardcore punk like Black Flag, the DKs, early Hüsker Dü or even my least fave Birthday Party. But I do feel all the anger and disrespect which is kind of what I like about it. But I think what sells me is that there is a semi melodic undertone to the entire album, I think partially because of Joan jett's production, depending on how much input she actually had. But Jett, an already known entity with obvious '70s Punk influence and a Kim Fowley knack for catchiness, she may have guided them to a more neloduc, less abrasive stance. But one thing that I was really admiring throughout the album is Lorna Doom's base work which was pleasantly melodic than what I expect from Punk which tends to just crash on the root (or a wrong note) with all power. Sense of chaos I even like the moments of chaos in the album because it didn't feel like it was just thrown out there for abrasivenes sake, but a calculated part of the mayhem. Somewhat in a way I don't see this as the precursor to hardcore punk as much as I can see this, along with Sabbath like doom rock and Neil Young's anger driven materials as boiling plate for what would emerge as Grunge in the late 80s. (also making perfect sense how Pat Smear ended up with Nirvana before their untimely end) (7.8) ★★★½ (probably a grower)
Lacking in variety, and what I don't like about punk. 2.5 stars
The L.A. Hardcore scene definitely not my favorite flavor of punk. There's some cool riffs here, but it's a little one note and I wish it was a little more melodic. 3 stars.
Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers is normally a super wise professor of music and life but his super-fandom of this group and their one and only album is perhaps his greatest character weakness. The guitars are ok in a sloppy skater punk kinda way but the vocals are absolute grot and the 10-minute closer Shut Down is an utmost earachey definition of filler. Time to get out the Dettol.
Salut l'ami, c'est ton disquaire préféré (enfin, ex-disquaire, mais on ne se refait pas) qui reprend la plume. Aujourd'hui, on plonge la tête la première dans le cambouis californien, dans la crasse mythologique de la Cité des Anges qui n'avait d'angélique que le nom à la fin des années 70. On s'attaque à un monument, une pierre angulaire, un monolithe bleu qui trônait fièrement dans le bac "Punk US" de ma boutique entre un Black Flag et un Dead Kennedys : "GI" des Germs. Retour en 1979. J'avais 9 ans, je jouais aux billes, pendant que de l'autre côté de l'Atlantique, un type nommé Jan Paul Beahm, plus connu sous le pseudonyme ravageur de Darby Crash, décidait de saboter sa vie avec un panache qui ferait passer Sid Vicious pour un enfant de chœur sous Ritaline. Les Germs, c'est ça : l'urgence absolue, le nihilisme élevé au rang d'art contemporain, et une volonté farouche de ne pas dépasser les 25 ans. Alors, "GI" pour "Germs Incognito", c'est une pochette bleue, un cercle noir, simple, efficace, iconique. C'est le seul et unique album studio de ce groupe qui a pourtant marqué au fer rouge toute une génération de musiciens, de Red Hot Chili Peppers (qui ont sûrement trop écouté ça avant de faire n'importe quoi) à Nirvana. D'ailleurs, parlons-en de Nirvana car si tu aimes Kurt Cobain et sa clique, tu ne peux pas ignorer ce disque. Pourquoi ? Parce que le guitariste qui tricote ces riffs rapides et étrangement mélodiques n'est autre que Pat Smear. Oui, le grand dadais tout sourire qui a fini par gratouiller sur "MTV Unplugged in New York" et chez les Foo Fighters. À l'époque, il avait des cheveux, une attitude de voyou et il portait le groupe à bout de bras musicalement parlant, parce que Darby, soyons honnêtes, était souvent trop occupé à se rouler dans le beurre de cacahuète ou à se mutiler sur scène pour se soucier de la justesse. Ce qui sauve cet album du naufrage cacophonique total, c'est une marraine la fée inattendue : Joan Jett. Oui, la Joan Jett des Runaways, celle qui aime le rock'n'roll. Elle a produit cet album et franchement, elle a fait un boulot de dingue. Elle a réussi à canaliser (un peu) le chaos, à donner une épaisseur au son, un côté "mur de briques dans ta face" qui manque cruellement à beaucoup de productions punk de l'époque qui sonnent comme enregistrées dans une boîte de conserve via un talkie-walkie. Là, ça sonne avec la basse de Lorna Doom (meilleur nom de scène de l'histoire, on est d'accord ?) qui gronde comme un moteur mal réglé, la batterie de Don Bolles tribale, et la guitare de Smear qui tranche dans le vif. Musicalement, c'est quoi "GI" ? C'est 38 minutes de cavalcade. Ça démarre avec "What We Do Is Secret", et paf, tu as le mode d'emploi. C'est rapide, c'est hargneux, c'est sale mais attention, ce n'est pas du punk "no future" à l'anglaise, politique et social. Non, ici on est dans le "no future" personnel, existentiel. Darby Crash écrit des textes fascinants si on prend la peine de les lire (parce que pour les comprendre à l'oreille, bonne chance, le type chante comme s'il avait une patate chaude et trois Valium dans la bouche). Il y a une poésie bizarre, influencée par Bowie et Nietzsche, une obsession pour le contrôle et le fascisme esthétique (le "Circle One"), qui donne une aura un peu malsaine à l'ensemble. C'est ce qui me plaît, moi qui aime les trucs un peu tordus. Ici on n'est pas chez les Ramones avec leurs histoires de sniffage de colle rigolo car là, la colle, ils la sniffent pour oublier qu'ils sont en train de crever d'ennui sous le soleil de Los Angeles. Il y a des tubes, indéniablement, "Lexicon Devil", c'est l'hymne et si tu ne tapes pas du pied là-dessus, vérifie ton pouls. "Manimal", "Richie Dagger's Crime", c'est du solide et ça n'a pas "si mal vieilli". Pourquoi ? Parce que ça a inventé le Hardcore américain avant l'heure et sans les Germs, pas de Black Flag (ou pas comme ça), pas de scène californienne enragée. C'est la genèse du punk qui ne sait pas jouer mais qui a des choses à dire, ou plutôt à hurler. Mais alors, pourquoi seulement un 3/5 ? Pourquoi pas le panthéon ? Parce que, soyons réalistes deux minutes. C'est parfois brouillon, c'est parfois répétitif et surtout, c'est un album qui vaut autant pour sa musique que pour la légende morbide qui l'entoure. Si tu enlèves l'histoire de Darby Crash, son suicide planifié (le mec s'est injecté une dose létale d'héroïne pour devenir une légende immortelle... le 7 décembre 1980, la veille de la mort de John Lennon. Résultat : tout le monde s'en est foutu, personne n'a parlé de lui dans les journaux. Le timing le plus foireux de l'histoire du rock), si tu enlèves tout ce folklore, il reste un très bon album de punk, mais pas l'œuvre d'art absolue. Comparé à la complexité émotionnelle d'un "Closer" de Joy Division sorti un an plus tard, "GI" fait figure d'adolescent en crise qui casse sa chambre. C'est touchant, c'est puissant, ça défoule, mais ça tourne un peu en rond. Quand je bossais au magasin de disques, je conseillais cet album à deux types de clients : * Le gamin qui venait d'acheter "Nevermind" et qui voulait savoir d'où venait le "deuxième guitariste" de la tournée. * Le vieux punk aigri qui trouvait que The Clash, c'était "de la pop music pour vendus". Pour moi, qui me suis nourri au sein du post-punk et de l'indus, j'écoute "GI" avec une nostalgie bienveillante. J'aime l'énergie brute, j'aime le fait que Pat Smear y dévoile déjà un jeu de guitare qui n'est pas juste du bourrinage, mais qui cherche des harmonies tordues (écoute bien "Communist Eyes" ou "Land of Treason"). C'est là qu'on voit le lien avec ce que deviendra le rock alternatif des années 90. En résumé, ce 3/5 est justifié car c'est la note de l'honnêteté. On ne va pas crier au génie absolu juste parce que le chanteur est mort jeune et que le groupe est culte. C'est un disque charnière, un disque témoin, un disque qui sent la sueur, la bière tiède et le désespoir adolescent sous les palmiers. C'est une petite bombe, une grenade dégoupillée laissée sur une table de chevet. Ça ne va pas détruire l'immeuble, mais ça va faire un sacré désordre dans la pièce. Allez, je le remets sur la platine, juste pour entendre Darby bafouiller ses délires mégalomanes une dernière fois. "Gimme gimme this, gimme gimme that..." Repose en paix, l'artiste, même si ton plan de carrière post-mortem a été ruiné par un Beatles. C'est peut-être ça, le summum du punk : rater sa sortie avec autant de style.
Menevää alkuaikojen HC:tä! 4/5
I quite liked Lexicon Devil but rest of the album was more in the "eh" range.
Standard punk for me. Didn’t seem groundbreaking, but I guess it doesn’t need to be to be included on this list. Needs a few more listens.
Raw, loud, obnoxious Punk. Doesn't deserve them, but gets bonus points for invoking Tony Hawk's Underground 2 flashbacks.
> the Beatles People who give the Beatles 5 stars but give this 1 or 2 stars think mayonnaise is spicy.
Better than the Adverts. Not as good as fugazi or iggy
No. Thanks, but no.
Original Punk. That just about sums it up. well that and mercifully short. For its time on a par with NWA, so 2 it is.
Possibly one of the best punk albums I’ve heard on here so far. Haven’t got a Scooby doo about what the singer is saying, but that’s probably for the best. Guitar work deserves the 3 stars all on its own.
Not bad for a Punk album, I liked the energy. I have not come across this band before, and I have no idea why. But then again, it was a genre I only dipped my toes into in my teens, then moved onto more musically complex stuff. I doubt I'll listen to it again.
Growling punk. Not my favourite really.
Finally a true punk rock album. Really surprised the first Pat Smear appearance on the list for me is not Foo Fighters. This has the super ugly vocals I think of with punk rock. They sound like they don't give a shit about singing well, they just have something to say, so they have to sing it somehow. I don't enjoy it on most of the songs but there are a few cool ones here.
Guess I missed Thanksgiving--Kid A? A solid 4. This Germs makes my day. For all the punk thrash, it has great accompanying polish, lyrically, sonically, everything working.
Well, this is a hard one. I think I would have really appreciated it back then. The energy is great, but it’s not very tuneful. Punk absolutely has its place, but I feel slightly too old for it now. Unless it has the sensibilities of the Buzzcocks or even the sex pistols. They still have a timeless power. This did not reach me in the same way.
So, this was entertaining enough, and if it truly is the first ever LP recorded of hard-core punk, then yes, worthy of inclusion. But... what do I think of it? Hard to say what sets this apart from any number of noisy angry punk bands. The drummer was interesting, the production was pretty lousy. The vocals were less than inspiring, the guitarist had some moments of brilliance. The total package. Whatevs.
Hm, not sure how to rate this one. I can't say I enjoyed it, exactly, though I can appreciate its place in history. It sounded surprisingly modern. Hardcore punk has never been my favorite. I like my punk with more melodies. But the music was often quite good, if sloppy. I see that Joan Jett produced this. Good on her. I dug the production.
Fantastic album cover does not make up for the music.
I'm glad the average track length is like 90 seconds. Surprised it was as early as it was. I think this is actually what I want out of punk since it's not commercial and is focused on doing what it wants. Good to be on the list, not what I like listening to
I don't mind me some punk here and there, but the mixing isn't great on this. Manimal had some okay bits. I get why this would have been influential, just not something I'd listen to much these days.
As chaotic punk noise, this album does just fine. Immediately recognised early Lemonheads in the cacophony, so it’s clearly influential. For me, it lacks the 60s girl band pop chime of the Pistols, the charm of the Ramones, and the arrogant insolence of the best punk. There are some hopeful moments though.
Appreciate the energy and attitude but the guy can’t sing lol. Maybe that’s the whole point but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.
No thank you
I get why this receives a lot of hate here and I fully expect my compatriots to hand out a couple of ones but I can't help but really appreciate and like how raw the album sounds and the pure energy song to song.
I have no idea what’s being said and it ‘s loud, but I kind of like it. Based on some of my other recent reviews, I guess I’m a cultureless slob, fuck yeah
Good. Enjoyable. Fast, passionate, good.
Includes my favourite gay anthem (Richie Dagger's Crime) and involved in my favourite scheme to attain fame via suicide that failed because someone more famous died on the same day
I tried to like this, but no. A couple songs early on stood out as listenable, maybe even likeable, but this isn’t anything I’ll come back to.
It’s quite possible that I wasn’t in the right mood to open my ears up to a fairly hardcore punk album. But I actively disliked listening to it. Cool to learn about Pat Smear’s origins though.
Y'know, it's not like I can't understand why this album has a sub-3 average rating. To the untrained ear, this must be absolutely incomprehensible. "If you can call **this noise** music...!" That sort of deal. Heck, listening to a couple of quick snippets before diving into the album proper, I was worried that might actually be noise — a 38-minute collection of random yelling, strumming and drum bashing that Big Important Critics™ somehow drool themselves silly over. Somehow, there'd be something in the noise I just couldn't hear. It wouldn't pair too well with how I heard that this album was the group as a "world-class rock ensemble," where before this point their live shows were famous for always nearly becoming riots. Wouldn't have been great! But then I hear the album in full and ... I mean, come on, guys. This: noise? Again, I suppose if your ears aren't trained or tuned to hear this kind of material as anything other than noise, sure, I guess. But as far as my ears are concerned: this is hardcore punk. And sure as heck not bad hardcore punk at that. I mean, all I'd ever want out of a hardcore punk album, energy, is chaotic energy, and Germs here provide that in spades. Over 16 tracks, most of which are barely over a minute, they never let up. It's to the point where, while there's a line on their Wikipedia page talking about the "lyrical brilliance" of one of their members, I honestly couldn't care less about the lyrics. It ends up such a rush; a straight forward slap-to-the-face burst of punk electricity, the singer could be singing literally gibberish and I'd still be bouncing in my seat over it. And lemme tell y'all, I haven't heard too many hardcore punk albums, but of the ones I have heard, this ain't even close to the hardcorest shit out there. You ever hear 'Get Some' by Snot? Heck, even just "Deadfall" from that album? Hardcore shit. And, actually, I wanna make a brief aside here to talk about the production. Of all people, Joan Jett was this album's producer — which catches me as a surprise mostly because I didn't know she produced? I knew she was a badass who sang "Bad Reputation' n' shit, but she did production as well? Dang. And she's good at it! It's remarkably clean for a **punk album**. It feels like no matter how chaotic it gets, I'm still able to pick everything out. Y'know, it's not Duran Duran, but it's interesting, y'know? And I suppose when you have a guy with a singing style like **this** you **need** the production to be as clean as punk'll allow it. But actually, if I can circle back to the lyrics for a second ... as much as they don't **really** matter to be in the grand scheme of things, at the same time I'd be lying if I told you that the fact that I can't really make heads or tails of them isn't a bit of a detriment. This shit ain't Bob Dylan, but for most of these songs I have no idea what this guy's trying to say or why it's so supposedly "brilliant." It's why I think I'd still prefer Dead Kennedys over 'em. Y'know, they hit hard as a truck **and** I can understand what Jello's tryin' to say in the words. I'll say, in the places where I **could** eek out something, I suppose I can **sort of** see something in there ... but I guess it just ain't enough for me to really go all "WOW!" over. Regardless, in the end, if you're not up on your hardcore punk, I don't blame you. I'm not exactly gonna call you a "snob" for hearing what you hear and not liking it. A 2.58 average seems pretty unfair to me, but, eh, I can get it. It should be higher, though — for the one album Germs would give us for the unfortunate sucide of singer Darby Crash, they did themselves a damn fine job unleashing hardcore punk onto the world. I can't knock 'em for that at all.
The group might have been short-lived, but goddamn if they didn't put their A-game into it (also I've said it before but punk is kickass and whoever doesn't like it should very much reconsider.) 4.5 bumped up to 5.
I’m at a 3.5 that I’ll bump down to a 3. This is a fine enough album – it’s just not really my style. Instrumentally, I think what’s here has a pretty damn good energy to it, and the band is technically sound. Their performances help steer a rhythm that each track needs to keep from falling apart (save for when they intentionally fall apart, for effect), and they’re good enough that the album stays very listenable throughout. I think where this album falls down for me comes in two things, one more consequential than the other. The first is in the repetition; not a big deal, given that this is just what 1970s punk rock is, and more of a hit-or-miss in terms of how well they shake it up from track to track. I’d say they shake it up well around 60% of the time, but that other 40% just hits a total snag for me, and somehow makes the first 29 minutes of this album feel a lot slower than that, especially after “Media Blitz”. The second is… well… Darby Crash has a very abrasive voice. I think I get what he’s going for, and I admire his vocal style as a pure ball of energy, throwing caution to the wind for vocal structures & any kind of safe enunciation to use it as an instrument unto itself. I think it works on a few tracks, but for my tastes, he’s just a little bit too free / loose here. I think a lot of these tracks have decent enough lyrics to them, but I can’t understand what he’s saying to save my life without those lyrics in front of me. Even when I can kinda catch those lyrics, I don’t think a lot of the vocal structures here feel very melodically compelling, actively challenging and rubbing up against the rhythm of the instrumentation to create that abrasive effect. I can hear the appeal, don’t get me wrong, and if someone wants to give this a 5 on the strength of that abrasion working for them, I can’t really fault it. It’s the make or break aspect of this album though, and it’s probably why this has a 2.53 on the site. This is influential, as I can hear a lot of other punk bands start to form from the foundation that this album set, but it just didn’t feel as compelling as it could to me. Maybe with a little more of an open mind on a future relisten, this could go up to a 4, but I don’t really see myself coming back to this album anytime soon. I do respect everything it’s going for, & I can’t say there’s ever actually a bad track here, just a lot of flatter ones, partially due to his vocal style. It just never did anything to really elevate higher, hence the 3.5 bumped down to a 3.
not a huge amount, quite repetitive tbh
The Germs are important. They only released one album, but they would inspire a thousand bands, including Nirvana and Foo Fighters, mainly because Germs’ guitarist Pat Smear played in both. However, many consider this album to be the first hardcore punk album recorded. This album was also produced by Joan Jett because the band were fans of The Runaways. The band was featured in the incredible documentary by Penelope Spheeris, The Decline of Western Civilization. If you haven’t seen it, check it out. Also, The Decline of Western Civilization Part 2: The Metal Years is amazing too. The history is huge with this album, and I appreciate it. But I just didn’t connect to the music. There were certain songs I really dug, but after eating Thanksgiving potluck, I fell asleep about six songs in. I’m listening to it now, by the way, there are 16 songs on the album, but most are barely two minutes long. I’ve now listened to the whole album and not much has changed. I can appreciate how people could have been inspired to create music after hearing this and how ahead of its time it was. However, it’s just not for me. I grew up in the 70’s and mostly listening to pop radio for the first 9-10 years of life, so I like melody and hooks. While I think it is important for history’s sake, it won’t be going in my permanent playlist.
not for me, but, you know...i didn't hate it like i hated the replacements. i know it's only 38 minutes long, 16 tracks, but by god...it felt like a long, long listen "let me touch the tips of inculcated desire" - wasn't expecting that! do appreciate lorna doom, great derby name, pretty sure i have even met a couple lorna dooms IRL
Mi Pat Smear formando parte de 3 bandas históricas🤌.
no esperaba los compases raros ni a joan jett. jarcor 🤟
It's a punk album. It's probably slightly better than most, but punk isn't exactly known for nuance.
Americans trying to be british punk, it failed. The drums were absolute shit, sounded like a kid banging on a tin beyond comprehension why it was allowed on there. Vocal was just annoying. Guitar was nearly good in places
Had a bit of a punk run lately. I think I prefer this to the British punk, but I'm not 100% sold on it. I can hear the foundations for other bands that I can't really get from the other albums of late. It's manic and insane. It's just not great. Vocal is a bit shit. Don't mind the overall sound though.
Very raw hardcore punk album. Top my surprise I found the middle of the album very enjoyable once the songs stopped feeping the same. Would make for a great 15 minute EP, since a lot of the songs are subpar in my opinion. But when everything is clicking, the intensity is very enjoyable. Top tracks: Manimal, Our Way, The Other Newest One
Nicht meine Musik, aber durchaus OK.
I think part of what I’ve learned from doing this is that I’m just not that much of a punk person. It’s really hard for me distinguish what’s an actually good song from just cool noise. Also idk why but I love the album cover it’s so satisfying. Is it mean to say the singer’s style reminds me of a rabid dog? Fav songs: Richie dagger’s crime, the other newer one
63/100. It's definitely messy, almost to a fault, but that messiness is part of the charm. It's a punk record that captures the chaos and spirit of the scene. The guitar work stands out, at times noisy and unhinged, but also surprisingly inventive.
Listening to this album on the subway in a cold and grey megacity where freedom and human rights are a fast-disappearing commodity felt very appropriate, and probably made me even more sympathetic than usual towards angry, screaming rebels. Many punk albums leave me disappointed after a couple of songs, sounding repetitive and shallow. This one, however, was much more pleasant to listen ; it's raw, dirty and straightforward, but the instruments and production are better than usual, and the vocals feel hauntingly tormented. It made me want to kick stuff and people, so I guess it got the job done. There's also enough variations in terms of tempo and structure that it doesn't get boring. It really feels like the blueprint of a lot of later bands. Certainly not an everyday listen, but a nice discovery nonetheless. It doesn't deserve such a low global rating, so I'll be more generous than usual. 7/10
Starting my tennage in teh end of the eighties, I love Punk music. Here I like the drums, even the guitar and the bass most sometimes, but the singer is just putting it all off for me.
I'm not revealing any secrets: this is ABSOLUTELY not my style. Clearly, this album will have no influence on me. I readily admit that I had a VERY hard time listening to it all the way through, even once.
What a surprise to see this here! Honestly, Germs aren’t anything amazing, they might be on this list because they were one of the very first hardcore punk bands, and maybe because of Pat Smear, who somehow ended up in Nirvana and then the Foo Fighters ten years later. This isn’t Dead Kennedys or Black Flag, it’s more like GG Allin style self-destruction. For a Californian band, it is quite something. Great raw hardcore energy, this is pure punk, but nothing that original.
Too aggressive. 2/5
later
The best thing I can say about this album is that almost all the songs are short.
Meh, pretty generic punk. I guess this was influential in some way? Didn't love it.
1979? It sounds like the early days of punk, when everything and anything was getting released. How did this manage to avoid evolving? I struggle to think of a single redeeming feature to this. I was elated when it finally ended.
Pas mon del
Supposedly on the list for being the first full length hardcore punk album. I’d never heard of them, perhaps in part because this is not my usual wheelhouse, but perhaps also because it was their only album owing to the tragic death of their lead singer. The raw energy of this, along with good production (by Joan Jett) values, all the instruments are allowed to shine, and make it worth a listen. Typical of punk, all the songs are short and punchy, which often is in lieu of developing ideas further, the exception however, is with closer Shut Down [Annihilation Man] which is over 7 minutes long, perhaps too long.
Slimy nasty filthy music. I can appreciate it more than I can enjoy it
Skate punk in the 70s, produced by Joan Jett! Super rad. Not what I’d reach for if I’m jonesin’ for some hardcore though.
This became very enjoyable once I imagined them all as cats.
An absolute abomination and the beginning of truly disgusting punk music.
cool stuff. punky and thrashy. aged infinitely better than the sex pistols
That's not my taste in music - But ok
Truly, these songs all sound the same: amateur punk with badly-recorded vocals. None of those things are bad in themselves, but the quadruple threat means I couldn't get a lot out of this album, and I got it out in the first three tracks. I saw I was on track 9 and I thought I must be nearly done, then I looked again to see I was just over halfway and said "Oh, fuck!" out loud. That's my review, really. The guitar and piano on the final 9-minute track seem to have no relation to anything else going on in the song, and lost the album another star.
Rocked
Glad I listened, but probably won't be revisiting it much outside of Lexicon Devil.
Oof, not for me.
honest punk
Sad story, but great education about a band Id never heard about
Ahh.. not really
As somebody who doesn't usually like Punk, I immediately knew what this was going to be when I saw it was the Germs. However, this album didn't really bother me at all. The recording is clear on all the instruments. You can tell the band actually practiced together and didn't throw this album together over a 3-day weekend. The singing isn't my thing, but it's whatever. Not upset that I got through this one. Probably wouldn't come back to it, but didn't have a single moment here where I felt that my ears were bleeding (maybe because the songs are so short).
Ground breaking stuff. Basically setting the standard for generations of (US) hardcore punkbands. And I appreciate the energy and aggression but musically there's not an awful lot for me personally. The riffs are more hard working and sturdy than sparkling and exciting. I prefer sparkling. And I find the vocals - the tuneless growling and wailing - quite hard going. I prefer hardcore you can sing along to.
Great tunes, too bad about the shit mix, but that's punk for ya!
Two stars for being banned from locations and then booking yourself into those same locations under Germs Incognito.
For punk music it sounded OK. Still not my favorite.
God I’m sick of those punk albums. They all the sound the same, and it’s just not my vibe. Simpsons: No
Well it was short