Reviews (page 5 of 8)
This was a rough listen.
A gem from one of the pioneers of hard-core punk rock. One of my favorite music genres/eras
Influential? Sure. Good? Not really.
I just didn't like punk...
Mostly sounds alike to me. For punk them seemed to have some talent
This is terrible, every track sounded pretty much the same.
Álbum pionero del hardcore punk. Rápido, sucio, mal producido y disonante a ratos. The Germs fueron un grupo fugaz, infames por lo caótico de sus conciertos. Su cantante, Darby Crash, se suicidaría poco después de lanzar este álbum (el único), contribuyendo a forjar la leyenda de la banda. Un ejemplo perfecto del punk de principios de los ochenta, que marca la transición al hardcore. Aunque musicalmente sea mediocre (por decir algo), debe formar parte de esta lista. Si el punk es más actitud que técnica, este álbum es punk en su máxima expresión.
It was some hardcore punk
Lexicon devil Manimal
I know there are fans of this kind of raw, aggressive punk, but I honestly don’t understand how people enjoy it. This is a tough listen; almost every song blends into the next with little variation, and I couldn’t make out the lyrics most of the time. The lo-fi, chaotic energy may be the appeal for some, but for me, it just felt messy and grating. This is one of the rare albums I found myself skipping through just to get to the end.
I enjoyed the fast paced nature of the songs with most being under 2 minutes 30 but the songs themselves didn’t do enough really. 2 stars
3.0 Tricky one this. Music wise it's a 2, but impact wise it's a 4 minimum. You can hear shades of their inspiration - British punk mainly, but heavy stooges etc al, but more importantly you can hear what a lot of future great punk/hard rock acts themselves took inspiration from. Not one I will probably listen to again, but I'm very glad I heard it. Great list inclusion.
Nicht so meins.
There are probably some good songs in here if they were slowed down and given a little space to breathe. Going at 100mph doesn't get me pumped up like good punk does and, let's face it, the singer isn't capable of spitting out lyrics at that speed. I get it was influential, but I'm not certain that's a good thing.
An absolute classic and one of the best punk albums ever, imo. All of the chaotic energy you could ask for along with Crash's incredible lyricism. Top notch
This was rough.
I mean they came first so that must be of some value
Germs > Sex Pistols. There, I said it.
Sounds like if Donnie from The Wild Thornberries were to record an album
Man what I’d give for this music to go with a competent vocalist who does more than sneer every word into a single sound.
Even when the songs were only 90 seconds long, they still felt just as long and the 9-minute closing track.
I understand the need to feel like you should include an album like this on the list - I don’t know if I’ve heard much American punk yet. But this wasn’t a good listen. I’m sure it was probably super entertaining and engaging live! Like, the strange sound they make 1:40 into “Manimal”? Probably pretty fun to hear at a show. I can imagine how lively the crowd could be. And that’s all I can muster up to say for this record!!!
En skiva som ofta listas som klassiker så jag hade höga förväntningar då jag ofta gillar tidig punk (77-79). Jag blev besviken då den helt saknar melodier, energi och hooks. Jag gillar manimal som maler rätt bra. I övrigt inget som fastnar !
Absolutely not for me.
Proto hardcore punk? Sounds it. Didn't mind it but nothing grabbed me. Probably needs a few more runs. High 2s for the influence
Raw, early hardcore punk influences.
Its saving grace is that most songs are under 2 minutes long. I reserve 1-star reviews for those rare entries that beg the question "what is this album even doing on this list?" I understand this one has some kind of significance as the "first full-length hardcore punk album," so 2/5 stars it is.
The Germs were definitely a key band in the early days of hardcore, and this will always be a classic album. Plus, Pat Smear is a great guitarist. He ended up becoming one of the guitarists for Nirvana and then joined the Foo Fighters. Now, even though it's important and some people really love it, I think it's a little overrated when it's on some top album lists.
Day466 - not many albums leave me wanting more but this was awesome
Good stuff!! High energy as punk should be.
nothing redeeming here. moving on.
16 songs....I got the gist in 16 seconds. Not interested in more mediocre punk.
Nice to have some proper music after the last album i had. Classic early hardcore punk, no punches pulled.
eh
It was good but all the songs blended together. I had higher hopes.
fuck ya
C'est vraiment cool, beaucoup de choses interessantes au niveau du band. Je crois que c'est un exemple parfait d'un album punk fun 1970's. Au moins 8 fois meilleur que les sex pistols, on s'approche de Wire Pink Flag mais Californien. Plus viscéral et moins intello, 2 ans plus tard. Puis y'a la derniere toune, qui n'est vraiment pas bonne et qui fait descendre ma note à 3.
Merci pour cette découverte! Envie de creuser dans l'histoire des groupes punk.
Le chanteur me semble être une personne agréable et de bonne compagnie.
This record has good energy and there's more variety than in, say, your typical Ramones album. That said, I don't think the material is groundbreaking. It feels rather derivative. I read Wikipedia and now understand that these guys were early and everything later was derived from them! That said, I'd rather listen to Sex Pistols or Clash or Bad Brains...
I'm usually not into punk, but the hardcore elements if this, the ridiculous vocals, and the attention to detail on making some of the bass/guitar passages memorable was nice. The last song was a tedious listen which brought my rating down a bit. 2.7/5 - > 3/5
i don’t think we needed an answer to the sex pistols 2/5
I found this whole album very grating. This reminds me of the type of music that much better bands (like Nirvana, for example) point to as inspiration but don't really deserve the props.
Not for me. 1/5
This one goes in the category of "I can appreciate it's historical importance in a genre that I like but I just don't really fuck with it." Gonna give it a second listen but I'm just not hearing it.
Somethings are revolutionary at the time and then done way better by others afterwards
Wasn’t that bad, pretty definitive sounding early hardcore record. It just didn’t push the envelope for me in this day and age. Rating: 2.5
Crummy noise
Is this an April Fool joke? 1/5 1/4/25
A deluge of noise Falling into your eardrums Forcing you to mosh
5 out of 5. Hard hitting in the best way possible.
An album that is "influential but not actually entertaining to listen to." Wow this was bad....and I normally love punk/grunge. Pat Smear is a legend and so influential (played for a bit in Nirvana and the Foo Fighters) but this was pretty terrible. Not a lot here to compliment but sometimes the guitar riffs are fun. The singing is terrible. "Liked" songs: "What We Do Is Secret" , "Strange Notes" , "Our Way"
liked songs: Manimal, Our Way This is kind of terrible but also somehow fun. A number of the songs are run-of-the-mill untalented punk, but there's a few pieces of sneaky musicinship in here. Also, Pat Smear??? 2.5
Pretty good, I should have listened to this already. Will I listen to again: 95%
Feels very ahead of it's time. A bit too hardcore for me but still cool to hear some very early, very raw hardcore punk. I don't think I'll listen again but glad I heard it once.
20 minutter for langt. Men jeg havde brug for punk, og det fik jeg.
Egentlig nogle gode hardcore punk elementer. Men også ret ensformigt. Derfor kommer et 38 mins. album til at føles langt.
Can’t listen to a whole album of punk
One good song on a well recorded and produced album. Meh.
Short and sweet. But not really something I cared for too much.
punk
8/10
Playing this fast and precisely is hard, which the stripped-down discourse around punk can camouflage. Much of this record is a band charting out what happens when you blast out chords without space to breathe in between, but there's some smart structures here and a sulphurous anthem in "Lexicon Devil". A close listen reveals clever guitar work, the little accents, fluorishes and timbre shifts, not too far off from the subtleties you can pick out in AC/DC when you concentrate on Malcom Young. I wonder how many of us first heard Germs through the inclusion of "Lexicon Devil" on the punk rock station in Grand Theft Auto V, and I wonder what Crash would've made out of that, though I see it as Keith Morris slipping credit and cash to the family of a friend. I usually find the bands who played alongside the hardcore scene more interesting, but this has stick, and is surprisingly compelling, let's listen to one more...
I have discovered I really don't like American "hardcore" punk at all. This is so amateurish, not in a good way, and so devoid of ideas as to be boring as hell. It's not even fun like Circle Jerks. Are there any good examples?
Ok
Yesterday I got Black Flag. They released the Nervous Breakdown EP before this. Much better. This belongs in the bin with Windows 98 and asbestos. Important then, but you shouldn't use it anymore. Not a good introduction to the genre. This is probably on the list because Pat Smear was also in Nirvana and Foo Fighters. Belinda Carlisle (go gos and solo) was also in the band at some point, but not on any records. Favorite song: Lexicon Devil.
Albumi #175, 14.03.2025 Germsin ainoa albumi (GI) julkaistiin vuonna 1979. Levy on tiettävästi maailman ensimmäinen täysimittaisena äänitetty hardcorepunk-albumi. Laulaja Darby Crashin itsemurhaan päättynyt Germsin lyhyt taival loppui vain noin vuosi (GI):n ilmestymisen jälkeen. Germsin perustajajäsen ja kitaristi Pat Smear tunnetaan myös Nirvanan ja Foo Fightersin kitaristina.
awww somehow i wish that i get Junkyard today. the band is literally called The Birthday Party and today is my birthday. and under the training of Nick, Rowland and everyone else, this album is pretty ok for me. but every song sounds the same. 3/5
Everyone starts somewhere and Pat Smear has definitely done some great things. This one I didn’t much care for.
A nostalgic listen for sure and I imagine its inclusion here is anchored by its year of release, no doubt having influence on yet-to-be other bands arriving a few years later. The band has stayed in relatively current conversations based on Pat Smear’s membership in Nirvana and Foo Fighters, but I’ll always find my hardcore punk preference in better bands like Minor Threat, Fugazi, Circle Jerks, 7 Seconds, etc.
A fun album, but wears on you a bit as it goes on. No reason to pull this up or down from the avg category, but overall I liked it.
I would like to dedicate this review to Pat Smear. What a life. Dude has prob lived quite hard and looks great at 65. Props. Solid album. Punch you in the face, then the nuts and drink a beer with you before it smashes the bottle on your head. Fuck you.
Not an easy listen but I appreciate it. Sad story about Crash’s deliberate OD. Would have been cool to see what these guys became. Although prob were destined for a tragic ending of some sort… good enough for a mid range rating. 3/5
Being a Nirvana fan, I've done little to seek out Pat Smear's original band, Germs. It's pretty awesome to hear his roots. This is punk with no seatbelts. Fast, reckless, and barely competent, but I think that's exactly the point. If the Dead Boys had even less patience, it might sound something like this. Every song kinda bumps into the next; all noise and speed and spit. It’s got tons of energy, sure, but not much else to hang onto. Probably won’t be reaching for it much. Spins: 2 Playlist Additions: - What We Do Is Secret - Lexicon Devil - We Must Bleed
- I like punk. But I also like melodies. And changing tempos. And being able to breathe for five seconds. So I am probably just a poser. - Rough going for much of this, largely because Crash's vocals are intentionally scrubbing sandpaper on your eardrums. - Did somewhat like the chunk from "Our Way" to "The Other Newest One." - Looked up this band. They sound exhausting.
To be fair I just skimmed through this one, but every song sounded the same to me. Not really a fan
Definitely a shock, but I guess that’s kinda the point of punk rock? The vocals were something else, but it was honestly really impressive that the songs never seemed to fly off the rails, thanks to a really steady rhythm section. The guitar was pretty awesome sounding, and I could recognize some of the riffs in later on punk rock as it got into the mainstream, so there’s no denying this was definitely an influential album. Plus Joan Jett produced it so bonus points for that. 3.0/5 Fav song: Land of Treason
Listened to one song and wanted to gouge my ears out. Decided that was just the first song and to try again and then gave up 10 seconds into the second song
This was pretty rough. I couldn't bear myself to listen to it all.
Clearly an influence on Nirvana, and clearly the latter was much better. Many songs sound like they are sung by a coked-up gremlin. 4 stars for effort and originality, 2.4 for outcome, final score 3.2
I'm not into punk, it seems.
hardcore punk albums are great to get on this list when you've a backlog to get through. short, not so sweet, but a great listen all the same
Very good raw punk power. But punk is not my thing. Played like this, it’s just too repetitive at multiple levels. The pacing and rhythm are one speed. But it’s quality work in that genre, as far as I can tell. A 2.
Good punk album, maybe a bit too chaotic for me.
Hard punk. You know what you're getting and it delivers.
This is about as bad as a punk album gets. Poor vocals, bad instrumentals. Just audio diarrhea.
Yep that’s a shitty uninspired punk album. Sounds just like every other uninspired punk album.
A tedious punk album that may have at one time been required listening, but is now no longer relevant.
The Germs and their music are probably more influential than their music is accomplished. I enjoyed the first part of this album more than the second part (or second half). I was excited to hear the Germs, as this album project has turned me on to some of the late 70's punk that I only knew as an ancillary thing. I think I would consider the Germs to be like Velvet Underground in that I enjoy what their influence brought to music more than I enjoy the music made by the artist that was influential. This is hardcore punk and I definitely enjoyed listening to this when I was in a bit of a foul mood. Not sure it's an everyday listen for me but I appreciate the sound.
Certainly no wasted time on this album. But this is also absolutely not made for me. Did not enjoy any part of it. 1/5
42/1001 - I honestly don't know what I was expecting. Hard to hear the lyrics, but everything else is fine I guess. The ducking of the instrumentals was weird and noticeable.
Looking for the future, the world is my aim
As much as I like punk and appreciate hardcore, bands like Germs are really hit or miss for me personally. They clearly have a lot of passion that comes through in their music, but it kinda lacks soul as a form of artistic expression. GI isn't a bad record, it's just that hardcore and especially the early stuff is anger without form.
I had never heard of Germs before. It seems to just be another punk rock band. I enjoy the punk rock sound but they don't seem remarkable, just another punk rock band. Seem to be influential on the Grunge scene, which is cool but not very apparent from this album. I am enjoying the sound of this album all up.
Just like a bad GI day, I am flushing this Germs album down the toilet. Not a fan.
First time to listen to The Germs. At first I thought this was horrible but as I continued to listen, the music is pretty good. The vocals are not my thing for sure. The vocals make it very difficult to enjoy for me. It grew on me as I listened.
Solid punk record. Happy to have this one on the list!
The only full length album from Germs embodies a one foot in and out the door mentality, as the now tried and true thrash of punk rock now unencumbered in the United States sit side by side with longer compositions that offer a tantalizing glimpse into what could have been. American punk would never sound as feral, as raw and as visceral as this again. Favorites: What We Do is Secret, Communist Eyes, Richie Dagger's Crime, Lexicon Devil, Manimal, We Must Bleed, Media Blitz, Shut Down (Annihilation Man).
I remember listening to this in high school while working and not really getting it. 10+ years later, I understand it a bit better. I still prefer early circle jerks and black flag, but there’s good stuff here. Lexicon Devil rips
Fuck yeah, I love hardcore punk! Not as complex as Black Flag or as boundary pushing as Bad Brains. But for a first, it's good. Germs were never known for their musical prowess. And it's cool they actually got Darby Crash on tape, since he was notorious for doing everything but singing into the mic. His story is sad too, like Nick Drake. Some of the songs feel a little long. There's a reason hxc is known for one or two minutes tracks. If you don't like it, it will be over soon. But the attitude here is is undeniable.
Awful
Not for me
High energy, dynamic music with incisive but barely intelligible incisive and insightful lyrics. What more could you want from early punk?
Nah
Das Debütalbum "Gl" der amerikanischen Punkband The Germs wurde 1979 veröffentlicht und gilt als ein frühes und wegweisendes Werk der Hardcore-Punk-Szene. Es wurde im Radio Tokyo Studio in Los Angeles aufgenommen, einer Location, die für ihre Verbindung zur kalifornischen Punkbewegung bekannt ist. Die Band, bestehend aus Darby Crash (Gesang), Pat Smear (Gitarre), Lorna Doom (Bass) und Don Bolles (Schlagzeug), war zu dieser Zeit noch relativ unbekannt, aber ihre Energie und rohe Ausdruckskraft waren sofort spürbar. Darby Crash, als Frontmann und Hauptsongwriter, prägte die Gruppe mit seinen oft provokanten Texten und seiner energiegeladenen Bühnenpräsenz. Musikalisch bewegt sich "Gl" im Bereich des Hardcore-Punks, wobei das Album durch seine Geschwindigkeit und den wilden, ungeschliffenen Sound auffällt. Wichtige Songs wie "Lexicon Devil" und "Holiday in Cambodia" (nicht auf diesem Album, aber als früherer Track) sind typische Vertreter des Genres und zeigen die kompromisslose Haltung der Band. Die Songs zeichnen sich durch schnelle, aggressive Rhythmen und einfache, aber eingängige Melodien aus. Der Einfluss von The Germs auf die Punkbewegung kann nicht unterschätzt werden, auch wenn ihre Musik für viele eher schwer zugänglich war. Das Album bietet einen Blick auf die rauen Anfänge des Hardcore-Punks, ohne dabei die gewohnte Produktionsqualität von Mainstreamaufnahmen zu haben. "Gl" ist ein markantes Dokument der frühen Punk-Ära und liefert ein gutes Beispiel für die ungeschliffene Energie und die politische Rebellion, die den Hardcore-Punk prägten. Es bleibt ein wichtiges Album für Fans des Genres, auch wenn es nicht unbedingt massenkompatibel ist.
A case of where context drives a lot of the assessment. As the first hardcore LP, it cannot be understated how important this album is. As the sub-genre began populating various scenes across the US, one has to assume the first long form recording played a role in such propagation. If you want a good idea what the hardcore is, it certainly delivers the core concept. Freneticism. Even as a fan of the sub-genre, I find myself wanting more. I really can't stand Crash. I can't really explain why. With plenty of bands following shortly after, I can't say this album is my first choice. Maybe a little too much Johnny Rotten for something that should be more intense, or maybe I've been spoiled by the guttural vocalists that followed him. For better or worse his vocals certainly serve as standard punk fair. It's the rest of the band that really carries the album for me. Pat Smear shows why he became a seasoned performer in the alt-rock scene and Lorna Doom deftly executes bassline after bassline. All of this topped by an incredible studio team. I mean Joan Jett, props. This is how you record and mix bass. Rating: 7.8/10 Favorite Song: Lexicon Devil
8.5/10 kinda my first foray into this type of hardcore and I fw with it. Not my favorite genre by any means but I respect the inventive and collaborative nature of this style of music. And I would’ve killed to have been in a dim moldy basement watching these guys shred. Favorite song: Lexicon Devil
Old school punk might just not be for me
Classic punk from a foundational band.
#502. The very definition of Live fast, die young. 3/5: violent
Bad.
If you forget the fact that this sounds like a mix of Sex Pistols, a printer, and a two year old fucking around, this album is actually pretty catchy. Still sucks, though. Fav song: Lexicon Devil Least fav song: Shut Down
I'll pass
Love this shit!! So happy to have gotten a punk album today. This is getting 5 stars. Love this old school punk, and the last 9 min track was a bonus. Usually this type of music only gets 2 or 3 min tracks. Sometimes les than 2 min! Plus this came out on my birthyear so extra bonus.
This is an incoherent jumble of raw, scornful, intense, fast-paced, hardcore punk. If you've listened to one track, you've essentially heard them all — similar screeching guitar riffs (by Pat Smear — yes, that Pat Smear), chaotic drumming, and while Darby Crash may have something to express lyrically, I can only catch about one in every four words (at best). The only aspect that occasionally varies is their playing speed, and I never once felt compelled to look up the lyrics, either, in the hope of finding some form of differentiation between the tracks. This may have been an album that shaped the genre, but it's too repetitive to keep my interest. And somehow, amidst all the chaos, it's also kind of bland.
It's kinda fun but sometimes 'fun' just doesn't cut it
Safe to say at this point that I’m just not a punk guy. Though I feel like I would like a lot of these punk songs if they just did them in half time lol.
I’m aware of the historical significance of the album and its influence on following punk albums and bands in the US. That being said, I’m not sure the music is best served recorded. I think the true value of the band really only came across live. The album was fine, well produced and clean, but that’s not very punk rock, is it?
As punk as they come.
Sounds like yer local pub band, pretty exciting in person but a bit meh on record
Oi oi oi, enjoyable noise.
Dead Kennedys-esque vibes, and all the better for it.
I'm not a racist, but, I just can't understand what he's on about. The band is generic punk band. You could stick Johnny Rotten on here and I'd believe it was The Sex Pistols, but if you stick Johnny Rotten on here it would have lyrics you could hear about some engaging eye rolling guff.
Fast, thrashy and pointed, pretty much what you want from a punk album. I guess if you were part of the late 70s punk scene this would be gold dust, but mid-2020s it just sounds chaotic.
generic punk rock which doesn’t move me at all
Too much noise and loud.
6.5/10
Really fun, really loud thrashy punk, I had a good time listening to this
Like Ramones but worse and also the singer is the Tasmanian devil
This is an influential work that paved the way for hardcore punk, but at times the bass and drums felt out of place, the snarl of Darby led to some lyrics being unintelligible, he was the star of the show when it was clearer, but that's wasn't always the case. Pat Smear plays some interesting stuff in the album. And the final song feels unnecesary long for what it was. But who says you need to be proficient to be good in music? It might not be the most technically gifted group or the best engineering work, and that's what it gives it a character that pop-punk post 90's does not have. 5/10 It won't join my listening playlist but I respect it for what it is, a group channeling chaos
this kicks ass, these guys rule, and I will never listen to this again. 1 star, but like, in a good way. 1 star is what they were going for.
If there’s a perfect punk album, GI might just be it. From start to finish, it’s raw, chaotic, and absolutely relentless. There’s no polish, no pretension just pure, unfiltered energy blasted out at full speed. It’s the kind of album that doesn’t just sound aggressive; it feels aggressive, like it could fall apart at any second but never actually does. Every element works together to create something that feels like a total force of nature, and I can’t think of a single second that doesn’t hit exactly the way it should. The Positives First and foremost, the sheer energy of GI is unbelievable. There’s an urgency to this album that very few others capture. From the opening seconds of “What We Do Is Secret,” it’s clear this isn’t going to be a standard punk record. it’s something wilder, faster, and completely untamed. The songs don’t waste time. They explode into action, burn out fast, and leave behind nothing but the wreckage of whatever just happened. Darby Crash’s vocals are some of the most unhinged I’ve ever heard, and they completely make the album. He doesn’t just sing. he slurs, shouts, howls, and drags every syllable through the dirt. His voice is a mess in the best way, making every lyric sound even more chaotic and nihilistic. His delivery on “Richie Dagger’s Crime” and “Lexicon Devil” is iconic, and the way he sneers through “Manimal” is almost hypnotic. Pat Smear’s guitar work is another massive highlight. The riffs are sharp, heavy, and incredibly tight. far more technical than a lot of punk at the time. His playing doesn’t just add aggression; it defines the entire sound of the album. Tracks like “Strange Notes” and “Land of Treason” are absolutely blistering, with a mix of classic punk fury and an almost proto-hardcore precision. Then there’s the drumming. Don Bolles is an absolute machine, keeping everything moving at breakneck speed but never losing control. His performance on songs like “Media Blitz” and “Dragon Lady” is unreal, with fills that feel like they’re being thrown in randomly but land perfectly every time. The bass, courtesy of Lorna Doom, is raw and driving, adding to the album’s sense of reckless momentum. And I have to mention the production—Joan Jett did an insane job behind the scenes. This could have easily been another lo-fi, muddy punk album, but instead, it sounds sharp and massive. It’s still rough and dirty, but every instrument cuts through clearly. The mix is aggressive without feeling blown out, and the balance between the instruments and Darby’s wild vocals is near perfect. The Negatives Honestly, the only real “negative” is that it’s not for everyone. If you’re not into punk that sounds like a complete breakdown happening in real time, this album might be overwhelming. Darby’s vocals can be an acquired taste, especially on tracks like “Manimal” where he goes full insanity mode. But for me, that’s a strength rather than a flaw. If I had to nitpick, I’d say some of the songs feel like they end before they even begin, but that’s also part of the appeal. They hit fast, do their damage, and then vanish before you have time to fully process them. The Songs “Lexicon Devil” is probably the most well-known track here, and for good reason. It’s got one of the best punk riffs ever, and Darby’s vocals are at their absolute peak. It’s aggressive, unpredictable, and completely addicting. “What We Do Is Secret” sets the tone immediately—fast, disorienting, and completely unhinged. “Richie Dagger’s Crime” has a slightly more controlled feel, but the sneering vocal delivery gives it this weird, menacing charm. “Strange Notes” is one of the heaviest tracks here, with a brutal guitar tone that makes it sound like it's ripping through the speakers. “Media Blitz” is just pure speed, with some of the best drumming on the album, and “Dragon Lady” has this weird, twisting rhythm that somehow still fits perfectly into the chaos. And then there’s “Shutdown (Annihilation Man).” It’s the longest track by far, completely different from everything else on the album, and one of the most hypnotic things the Germs ever recorded. It’s like the entire album collapsing in slow motion, stretching out into this noisy, drugged-out dirge that somehow still works as a closer. Final Thoughts GI is an absolute masterpiece. It’s fast, it’s loud, it’s messy, but every second of it is completely alive. The combination of Darby’s reckless vocals, Pat Smear’s razor-sharp guitar work, Lorna Doom’s relentless basslines, and Don Bolles’ machine-gun drumming makes this one of the most essential punk albums ever made. It’s near perfection. 5/5.
totes filthy. I still prefer their contemporaries and feel this was mainly a live experience, but it was still really fun and I'd come back to it fer sure.
I kinda regret giving this website my Email because they keep sending me pervy emails and it's kinda annoying. It's pretty fun a bit silly a bit fun but please god get me out of the 70s
6/10 It’s Meat-and-Potatoes, like probably the most “prime example” a Hardcore Punk album that there can be. I can’t completely disregard the impact of this record, while many artists do get their flowers from getting to first base before anyone else while underperforming in all other areas, I think GI at the very least offers a decent amount of spirit and bite to it even if a lot of the messaging isn’t as specific or bold as a lot of their successors. It’s still saying something, and I don’t necessarily demand that there be revolutionary text behind these feverish riffs and raspy vocals, it’s just that they also still remain “solid”. Did you know that if you stare into the circle long enough, you can see the image of a gullible dumb bitch?
unbelievably bad. Rip off West coast wannabes. At least they managed to get this out in the 70s and not the late 80s like many other bands who couldn't play their instruments. I like the album cover though. Very modern.
This album has gained an almost mythical status among punk aficionados. Considered to be the first hardcore album, it's everything you expect - raw, fast, hard and unforgivingly brutal. Darby delivers his vocals with a sneer and attitude. Pat blasts out great riff after great riff. Lorna and Don keep everything moving with the rhythm section.
Demasiado punk para mi
Genuinely couldn’t believe how bad this was
It starts so well this, I was disappointed by the second half and particularly the last song which seemed like it was just a studio jam.
Load of balls
2-3
1. "What We Do Is Secret" 2,4 2. "Communist Eyes" 2,2 3. "Land of Treason" 2,5 4. "Richie Dagger's Crime" 2,3 5. "Strange Notes" 2,7 6. "American Leather" 2,6 7. "Lexicon Devil" 2,7 8. "Manimal" 3 9. "Our Way" 2,9 10. "We Must Bleed" 2,1 11. "Media Blitz" 2,3 12. "The Other Newest One" 3 13. "Let's Pretend" 2,7 14. "Dragon Lady" 2,4 15. "The Slave" 2,1 16. "Shut Down (Annihilation Man)" (live) 2,2 Average 2,51
Not my type at all.
ugh :/
i truly feel so out of my depth taking ab hardcore punk, but attention must be paid at the v least to the super cool production job (by joan jett of all people!)...the bass tone is super pronounced , and theres a ton of clarity in general even tho the timbre of the instruments is still rough n tumble abrasive...genuinely reminds me more than anything of the production on Nevermind? at least in overall priorities. hard to not notice darby as a vocalist too...extremely stretch-and-squashy voice thats as fluid as a cartoon character. love the closing track too, like a sloppy punky take on a hypnotic krautrock churn. definitely a fun listen on the whole. when i saw the cover i assumed it was a techno record
Too punk rock, 1 star
Sick vibes, vocals sound like Charlie Browns teacher to me
Really wanted to like this because I usually do like a good punk album, but I just couldn’t. The drums were really good but I couldn’t get over the singing. I can see how this would’ve been an influential album though.
Classic Punk. Had a bit of a hard time understanding what they were saying, I enjoyed it tho!
Fun energy coming from this album, good example of not judging an album by the cover since this is not what I expected
Lots of raw energy. Pretty cool
genuinely what is he saying? musically it's alright, but that last track killed any good will i had for this album
Frantic, abrasive and given the band name, fittingly snotty. Just a really good punk album. 4 stars
Recognised one of these from Tony Hawk’s Underground 2
Fun classic punk. Great listen for a cold winter morning.
Boring
If the band Skwert would have put out a second album it would have sounded like this: very garage punk. Naturally, I didn’t hate the raw aesthetic, but I also can’t be too complimentary about the musicianship. Key songs for me are Lexicon Devil and Communist Eyes. It was a fun listen but I found myself drifting before the end of the album. There is only so much raw punk I can take in a day now….
Random thoughts: * this was a bit too aggressive for my taste. But props to them for doing their thang. * The first song ended so abruptly I thought something was wrong with my streaming service. * Probably a one time listen for me. Never heard of them and I'll see if I remember that I heard this before.
Only album by short-lived LA punk band featuring Pat Smear on guitar and produced by Joan Jett. It’s fun, frantic and fast, with the exception of the last song, Shot Down (Annihilation Man), which at almost 10 minutes compared to the sub-two minutes of most of the other tracks, might be my favourite on the album.
it’s like if the sex pistols didn’t suck dick
I want out now.
I have always been familiar with Germa and their story but clearly had never listened to their music. I was shocked to find out they only made one album. Turns out it was one too many. I appreciate their place in the LA Punk scene, but that was a tough listen.
Wieder eins dieser typischen Punk Alben. Fand ich nicht überzeugend
Das Positive? Nur 38 Minuten. Ansonsten Lärmbelästigung, man kann kaum ein Wort verstehen. Punk ist anscheinend nicht meines.
Roher Hardcore Punk, war in ner Stimmung, dass es mir gefallen hat. Lexicon Devil war im GTA V Radio, aber für mich bekannter aus Tony Hawks Underground 2, direkt wiedererkannt. Songs der Playlist hinzugefügt: Keine
Not really
definitely a welcome change from the King Crimson yesterday. This record seemed much fresher and alive after that.
Reading about this album's history and importance, I was expecting much more. I enjoyed the listening session, but it's far from something I can call a "good" album.
As with most punk, energy and vibe are prioritized over musicality or musicianship. They strike rough and tumble and carelessness on the head. I have always appreciated a punks ability to get in and get out. Many tracks in a short time, painting the picture just right. The bio was a wild read that started with me reading about the lead singers suicide and ended with learning that Belinda Carlisle was the Germs drummer. In the her hit “Heaven is a Place on Earth” Belinda says “in this world we’re just beginning to understand the miracle of living. Baby, I was afraid before but I’m not afraid anymore”. Good for her.
Huono rääkynä
Pönk er farið að valda mér leiðindum. Lögin eru öll afskaplega svipuð og óspennandi. Ég beið bara eftir því að platan myndi klárast og horfði á sekúndurnar í síðasta lagin tikka í átt að betri líðan
Not good. So they're trying to be the Sex Pistols? Ugh, finished so it gets rounded up to 2 stars
Viel Geschrei, für mich nicht interessant 1/5
ну и пурга...
What punk sounds like to people who don't like punk
Had NOT heard this before and it is AWESOME. 4.
Good stuff
Punk. Ganska dålig punk dessutom.
Blind album and artist. It's uh... interesting. Early hardcore punk? Well I'm glad I tried it and it's something new. It's different in ways and rough on the edges.
Fast, nasty, hard-hitting. Cool song structures and some good guitar stuff. Off-beat but I was into it—is my faith in punk rock being restored? Best song: Lexicon Devil
Hardcore punk and I weren’t meant to be friends, and that’s okay. I think I found the story of Germs more interesting than their music.
True punk. I'll give them credit there. But every song sounds the same and none of them are all that good.
Punk as fuck. Media blitz and lexicon devil are the stand outs. The 9 minute closing song was unnecessary.
4/5
It was okay.
A good wikipedia deep dive around this album. Found out this is Pat Smear (of Foo Fighters) first band and Joan Jett produced it. I love seeing all the entwined connections between bands while going through this project.
I've heard of the Germs. Being a huge Chili Peppers fan I know they had a huge influence on them. I also know Pat Smear from the Foo Fighters. First time listening to them. I liked this albu. The singers voice is a bit of an obstacle to get past, but behind that there are some great guitar riffs and an excellent sound. Some good songs too.
a great rush of sound, raw, sneering, energetic
Banger old punk record
2.5
Every single one of these songs sound the same.
Ow
Zu viel hässlicher Gesang.
It's cool hearing a young Pat Smear, but meh.
It's becoming harder for me to write these reviews. I'm running out of ideas of what to write. Anyway, this album isn't as bad as others say. I quite like the hardcore sound. What a shame that this is the only album by Germs. 3 stars for "GI".
solid 2
Jag gillar en del punk men inte den här så mycket.
Abrasive vocals without much support from the rest of the band. This is punk before it finds it's stride. Really just not enjoyable to listen to.
A US band playing bona-fide punk? (not "punk" like Billy Idol or Blondie) With an album cover that would not be out of place in the house or techno section of a record shop? Brilliant!
Props to this list for having the US alternative to the Sex Pistols. I like both bands (as I would have back then).
Classic Punk but with a lot of the elements of the genre that we enjoy less
Bad
If you want a punk album, this is it. Rough, shouty vocals, short songs, musical errors, discordant, not really polished in any way. We get a full punk aesthetic, almost 40 minutes of tension and inspiration to mosh. This isn't pre punk, or post punk, this is the real thing. The lyrics are political, rebellious and powerful. Overall, not my personal style, but if we are music completionists, we have to experience punk. And I am growing to it as I finish the album. Powerful and addictive. We will Bleed begins to allow us to hear the music, and we get that more through the magnificent bass in Shut Down. I appreciate Joan Jet's work here, and I appreciate the influence this movement had on later music. Thanks, yall. 4/5
Fair play this absolutely goes.
0/100 im so sorry this was not for me
Shout out Pat Smear
I've not been too hard on punk albums on this list. This one does not make the cut for me though. I also fucked up by having it in repeat. On my second go through I didn't even realise we had started over yet and I started to think "well, this awfully long for a punk album"
Up beat instrumentals. Don't like the vocals.
I have already heard this a bunch of times and enjoyed but but my 5 year old Was on the car while I was listening and he loved it
Apple Music says the Germs were “America’s answer to The Sex Pistols.” If that’s the analogy we’re running with they should’ve called themselves The Wet Dream Cap Guns. A ppor imitation by every measure. I think the only reason I didn’t go two stars is because I have such an affinity and soft spot for Los Angeles bands.
4/5
I was honestly surprised by how cool this was.
Felt like I should have been a pinball for this. Not the album for working.
Manimal is the best song on the album. First two songs are the same- convince me other wise. Lyrics- What lyrics? Instrumentals- Great at some times but quite repetitive Overall- Feels like a first draft. but with some drugs it'll be great. but the fact I have so much to say about it, means it is provocative and a solid work of art. Album reminds me of the meme: "Noone knows what it means but it is provocative. Gets the people going"
Energizing!
A polished Pistols with a cleaner sound but less anger.
A solid punk album. One that I've been meaning to listen to for 30 years and bow I have.
Didn’t listen to it all but from what i heard decent punk album
It's the fuckin' Germs man, the fuckin' GERMS! And it's not as great as the legend suggests. 15 1 to 2 minutes songs that are so hardcore punk, this band can barely play but does speed thrashing, and 1 10 minute long slog that overstays its welcome by about 9 minutes. If not for the expanded lore of the legend of Pat Smear and the knowledge of what could have been with fuckin' Belinda Carlisle on drums, this would be a solid 1 stinker. FUCKIN' GERMS MAN! FUCK-IN' GERMS!
Interesting for a couple of aongs
This wasn't bad, but roots/ultra-raw "real" punk isn't for me 2.5
An overlooked timely punk album, attitude and all, often testing listeners' patience, but getting the message across surprisingly poetically.
First full-length hardcore punk album?? That's HUGE!
Mid
It's fine for "the first hardcore punk" album, I guess.
My two biggest takeaways from this album were: 1. I have no idea what the singer was saying most of the time 2. This sounded like a band that plays in their parents garage and just uses loud sounds as "music" With that said, the music wasn't actually that bad but definitely not something I will come back to. There isn't really anything that made me go "wow, this is worth my time."
Decent Hardcore Punk album. I gained a little more appreciation for where acts like Black Flag come from, but the music here is far less memorable or distinctive, perhaps because it was so influential? Either way, didn't have a ton of time to sit with this one, but I could see myself coming back to it.
Yuck! Only made to 5th song. Too hardcore for me!
4.4
I believe that there is a time and a place for all music.... can't say this is my preferred genre. On the upside, the songs are short so, there's that..
But why
It stinks
Before this project I’d never used the phrase “boring punk album”, but here we are.
Has a weird sound, even for early hardcore, but still very enojayable.
The snarliest, dirt under fingers, hardcore punk from the tragic flash in the pan band that was the Germs. The moment when you here Darby Crash’s painful voice scratch out the words “I want out now” on We Must Bleed, it might be the most devastating foreshadowing captured on record.
I dunno. Maybe this sort of thing broke a mold back in the day. Now it sounds average. 2/5
very ugly music but female bassist plus point
GI is definitely a guilty pleasure album of mine. It is often regarded as one of the first hardcore punk albums to ever come out and it is pretty good for holding that honor. The music definitely is chaotic but is also fun to listen to and never got very annoying even with the final song's piano work. The lyrics and vocals also are incredibly stupid but its not the cringy kind of stupid but rather, the fun and endearing kind of stupid and they fit the rhythm of the songs well. I really liked the fast pace of the album too which always made sure to keep me on my toes. This is a fun album that is pretty deserving of a 3.5 Best Song: Media Blitz Worst Song: Our Way
Just like every single punk album should sound like. Raw, hard, pissed, short songs, angry, mosh pit igniter, jumpy, This is an amazing album for the punk genere. Im giving it a well deserved 5 star rating. On a side note the guitar player pat smear has the worst luck ever. Germs disbanded after a bandmates suicide and the. He joined Nirvana as a touring memeber and we all know how that ended up.
nope
Hardcore punk that feels right at home in its era. Very raw, frantic, and thrashy. Quick hits that smack you upside the head. The late Darby Crash was seemingly born to be a punk rocker with that vocal delivery of his, for better or for worse. The band's history was an interesting read, and hearing that their shows were so raucous and riotous that they were banned from many LA venues very much checks out. Another interesting note was that Joan Jett produced & mixed this album too. Definitely remember "Lexicon Devil" from Tony Hawk's Underground 2 and Grand Theft Auto 5. This was pure hardcore punk just as it was taking off in the States. Not a perfect record by any means, but I've always appreciated punk rock for its "no fucks given" approach. The Germs were VERY short-lived with their original lineup, but they certainly made their presence felt here.
Tää on se Pat Smearin bändi. Lexicon Devil on varmaan jossain Tony Hawkissa. Instrumentaali ihan jees punkkia, laulu taas vähän vammaista. Vika kappale sinetöi mielipiteen. Parhaat: Lexicon Devil,
Very high energy, very punk.
You know, the albums that get lower ratings here because they’re noisy or not pristinely produced or not mainstream enough or whatever…those are the exact albums that a lot of the users here actually need to hear. Otherwise, this list is just a vehicle to reinforce the status quo… Oh, you think Abbey Road is a 5 star record? And Rumours, too? Holy shit, tell me more. Wait, let me guess…you also love Led Zepplin IV and think In the Court of the Crimson King is the greatest prog album ever made. Of course you think those things, because you’ve been told for the decades that they are the height of recorded medium. You might think you have good taste, but the truth is, you just have someone else’s taste. Now, if you’ll excuse me…I have to put these egg whites in my hair and style it into liberty spikes.
Gewoon een punk album. Waarschijnlijk cult status gekregen door Pat Snear en de dood van de frontman. Ik vond het niet heel bijzonder.
This is what I imagined an album made by the Looney Tunes cartoon character Taz, the Tasmanian Devil, would sound like. Not my jam today nor will ever be I'm afraid.
This has all the awfulness of the Circle Jerks album that came up a few weeks ago, but without the virtue of brevity. 1 star.
I could not get into this one.
Ihan kiva. Vähän liian räkäinen mun makuun (huuto), mut soittimet vetää hyvin. Jopa yllättävän kliinisti. Vika biisi tietty yllättää, kun viekin puol levyä, herätti.
Darby Crashin ylikorostettu narina ei ole universumin nautinnollisin ääni, mutta se kietoutuu yhteen Pat Smearin kitaran kanssa - ja kitara kruunaa tämän levyn. Eikä LP:ltä puutu melodisia/rytmisiä yllätyksiä: Strange Notes (suosikki), Media Blitz, The Other Newest One... jos nyt oikein muistan.
Good solid punk album.
Hardcore Punk, just not my jam
If it weren’t for the Wikipedia description I wouldn’t have known who this is and would have chalked it up as generic punk. Cool to hear the birth of a genre
Hated it
Brash punk rock. Love it. The guitar work on this album is solid. But the singing is not so good.
I know it’s punk and it’s supposed to sound like that but my god that’s hard work. Guaranteed to give you a headache and not in a good way.
Okay
Scrappy and not my thing really. Favourite track: Land of Treason.
eh kinda boring as hell!
Shouty US punk. Not many memorable tunes but I guess that's not the point...
The first hardcore punk album! Listened with headphones, instantly got a headache, had a great time! No songs (apart from the last one) overstay their welcome, though this music always just makes you wish you were there live instead of listening to the album (particularly because of how crazy germ gigs got). Not my favourite punk band but they've got to be recognised.
You can hear the influence they had on bands like Black Flag
A lot of cool history here: first hardcore punk album ever, came out in 1979, produced by Joan Jett??? Hardcore Punk inherently comes off a bit silly because so many rules are broken. It's a slamming, fast-paced album with great bass and vocals driving the whole things
Aren't we here to hear some amazing music? I've had my fair share of "punk that's pretty awful to listen to but if you read the Wikipedia page maybe you'll go "ah, right"."
Noise.
This is an interesting album. A complete raw, middle finger to society, angry record. You're not going to find a technical masterpiece here, nor do I think the band were particularly trying to create such a project. This is 16 tracks ranging from 43 seconds in length to 9+ minutes of pure energy, with lyrics that range from topics such as communism, criticisms of America itself, and everyday suffering in society. I actually found Crash's vocals difficult to understand, as if the whole sound the band were going for was sloppiness; and from what I understand reading about Germs, this seemed to always be somewhat intentional - even for their live shows. But it's worth reading the lyrics while listening, as they are surprisingly well written. Musically is where I feel things really stumble. I know it's a punk album. But prior to '(GI)' there had already been several innovations made within the genre. With this LP, it feels like tracks are almost blending in to each other far too much. On my first listen I was sometimes surprised to see about 3 or 4 tracks had gone by thinking it was all the one song. It reminds me a lot of AFI's first two records - huge tracklists, short songs, but musically a lot of it all sounds the exact same. It's a shame the story of this band, particularly Darby Crash, is quite tragic; as I can hear the potential for better material in a near future just based on the strength of the writing alone. '(GI)' is good, and it is definitely worth listening to if you're a fan of that raw punk sound in any capacity. Despite that, I do genuinely think there is better examples of punk and what it can achieve both prior to and after the release of this album. Maybe it's a great introduction to the LA punk scene of the 70's, which I'm not overly familiar with. Or maybe I'm just wrong in my thoughts here. But it's an interesting LP, regardless, even if it doesn't completely click with me. 3/5
Hmmm, no :)
This one made me laugh out loud from the nostalgia of hearing early punk rock! I do not think I have ever heard any of these songs before - the Ramones, Clash, and Dead Kennedys were more on my radar. The pace is relentless - reminding me of why punk is best served in small doses. If you are into punk this one probably rates higher for you. For me, well not so much - once the nostalgia wore off, the screaming continued.
Another almost-1
Was excited when this was described as hardcore but it just sounds like regular snively punk. 2.0
Rating: 4/10 Impressed this came out in 1979, sounds quite influential for hardcore punk. I am not impressed whatsoever with the music though.
while i know many will dismiss this album as “unlistenable”, it is important to note that punk music by its very nature is not intended to be accessible to a mass audience. fascinating listen. while darby crash had admittedly mostly indecipherable lyrics, they somehow fit into the chaotic music around him. the punk energy is palpable on this album; it grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. the most fascinating thing about this band, however, has to be the fact that somehow guitarist pat smear eventually ended up in one of the biggest bands of the modern era, the foo fighters. highlights: “what we do is secret” “richie dagger’s crime” “manimal” “the other newest one”
I like some punk but it’s gotta be more polished than this. This was just a fucking wreck.
bello redneck
Not my thing but I can appreciate
Like the old school punk, but not like something I want to sit down and listen too. Never heard of the band so i read about em, apparently lead singer died of an intentional heroine overdose the day before john lennon.
Much like The Stooges debut album (that was yesterday's listen), this is an album that can feel utterly generic by today's standards. But that's because of its reach and its influence. When this album came out in 1979, it would have blown people's socks off and changed the way they thought about music. The highlight for me was that in these raucous punk songs... There's a real intention behind the rhythm section, the vocals have got hooks, and WOW, the lyrics are always amazing and downright literary. Take these lines from "Strange Notes": He wears the lines just like Garbo And talks at a saturmine pace Listening to the strange notes marvel Only giving what it takes That could be from a Bowie song. It's just incredible. So put this in the category of music that's not quite for me, but I recognize its value and its beauty.
Normally I look up the album wiki and read about the artist before I listen, but today I just went straight into the album as I left for work. My first though was 'I'm not in the mood for punk today' but by the time I got to work I was enjoying it. Like usual, never heard of the artist but I'll listen again,
My disdain for this genre grows with every shitty album I have to listen to from this list.
lexicon devil is a 5
Straight ahead, fast, hard, aggressive punk. If that’s your thing, you’ll love this. If it’s not, definitely one to pass on.
I'd give this a 3.2. Hard to listen all the way through the first time, this album grew on me after a second go round. It's hard driving throughout. My favorite songs were Communist Eyes, Media Blitz, and The Other Newest One. The driving guitar riffs are the best thing about it musically. The bass reminds me of the Minutemen.
Punk was kinda fun when I started this list, but man it all sounds the same. This album started over while I was listening and it took me 4 tracks to notice.
16 2 mins wonders
At the least with the Sex Pistols who know what they are talking about. What was this noise? Poured Demestos all over this. “Kills 99.9% of germs dead!”
3.5
Nope.
The first song was like 44 seconds long and despite trying to have an open mind I gotta admit: my heart sunk a bit realizing what was likely to come: ear pain. I’ve committed to listen to every album and every single song to truly commit to the idea of the challenge. This one challenged my commitment to that standard.
He might as well be speaking Arabic. Can't understand a word. Guitar is fun and thrashy, but overall this just sounds like noise to me. I'm usually a punk fan too.
That was some of the worst punk music I've ever heard; forty minutes of incomprehensible noise. 1.5 stars
I did not like this album. It's hard punk with very gravelly vocals. The songs mostly sounded the same to me. The instrumentation was ok albeit rather simplistic, but the vocals just ruined any enjoyment for me.
Part of me wanted to give this 4 stars. It is good and I love the punk sound. Still the music isn’t very diverse from song to song. I think it’s a great vibe and musically important, but I would prefer other punk music.
Groupe inconnu. Premier album de punk vraiment énergique généré ! Des morceaux courts et assez variés, une partie rythmique au top, même si le chant est parfois difficile à supporter. Le dernier morceau (Shut Down) est par contre plutôt raté, trop long par rapport aux autres et très répétitif. Sympathique découverte donc, mais que je ne vais probablement pas écouter de nouveau. =>3/5
Loud, raucous and energetic! Raw punk from the origins.
3 punk
Fav: The Other Newest One Least Fav: Manimal Felt very long for 38 minutes
This one's not for me. I couldn't understand a word for the most part. And sometimes that's fine. But then the music itself needs to be interesting, and this wasn't. And I do like some punk stuff too, so it's not that either. The last track, Shut Down (Annihilation Man) was kind of cool, but otherwise I wouldn't revisit anything here.
Multiple people in my life have told me that I have Darby Crash energy which is why I should probably start going to therapy again
Scratchy Hardcore Punk.