Reviews (page 3 of 8)
Punk Legends, but was never my thing
Punk punk punk! Actuel dans sa forme, à l'ère des réseaux sociaux et de l'instantanéité
Love it, in and out, didn't overstay it's welcome.
Okay, that clearly caught me at the right moment, it's short, it's silly, but honestly it kind of rules
Well that didn't hang around did it? I'll keep my review as brief as the album - s'good!
Fun fizzy hardcore punk. A quick 15 minute blast, what's not to like?
I actually really like this album. The speed, aggression, many juvenile lyrics. Definitely enjoyed
15 songs in 15 minutes is pretty damned tidy. What I noticed -- aside from the whole punkiness of it all -- was that there's a ton of actual musicianship there. Probably the tightest I've heard a punk band other than in the new school stuff like NOFX. Good fun -- and not a big time commitment!
I enjoyed the classic punk sound. It was crazy that this entire album is only 15 minutes long
Short and sweet, gets its point across in 15 minutes, would have maybe tired a bit of it if it was much longer, but certainly can’t complain for what it is
I was not at all sure what to expect, as I don’t listen to hardcore punk. But when I looked and saw it was 15 minutes long I was all in for a listen. And I was pleasantly surprised. I’m not sure I’d love an hour’s worth in one sitting, but each song was in and out and did what it needed to do. I’m not jumping into any mosh pits, but I can listen to more of this.
Short, fun, & to the point.
I grew up listening to old school punk, so this felt like home. Short, compact and punchy.
Thoughts before listening: Despite being really into punk rock, especially the southern California scene the Circle Jerks come from, I never really got into this band. They just have never grabbed me the way their poppier contemporaries like the Descendents and Bad Religion did. That being said, Keith Morris is an iconic front man, and the band is definitely important to the history of the punk scene. Review: The fact that this album is 15 minutes long has always been lost on me. Glad I never spent actual money on it 🤣. I'm all for short punk rock songs, but at least double the number of tracks or something to make it worth the purchase. Milo Goes to College at least passes the 20 minute mark and Damaged is over 30. Anyway, I have really been missing out cause this is great. Its the sound I know and love from the other 80s punk bands, and the Circle Jerks sneak more melody into these songs than I have given them credit for. its actually impressive that they manage verse, chorus, verse structures in such short songs. "Wasted" has always been one of my favorite songs of that era (although I prefer the Black Flag version) while "World Up My Ass" and "Live Fast Die Young" are classics. 4-star album.
This record does not mess around. Every song has a point, and they make it without wasting any time. I like this pretty good.
First time listening to Circle Jerks. I’ve never experienced an early punk album like this. Very funny that the whole thing is 16 minutes long
Group Sex might catch some flak, but if you know what old school punk is supposed to sound like, this album delivers. It’s fast, it’s loud, it’s short, and it’s got that sneering, middle-finger attitude that defined early hardcore. At just about 15 minutes, it doesn’t waste time — every track punches you in the face and moves on. No polish, no filler, just raw energy and aggression. That’s the charm. It’s not for everyone, but if you're into the roots of hardcore punk, Group Sex is a blast of pure, chaotic fun. Favorite song: Deny Everything
Short
Nicely
Awesome and fun and poignant
It was over before I could even process what was going on but I loved it.
Pure, uncut, 80's hardcore punk, I love it. 14 songs in 15 minutes, what? Fast, loud, and angry. Amazing and influential group, great album.
it's hardcore punk, alright. I suppose it's on the list because it's a foundational document- and it's not bad at all- could be recorded a lot better, but I like the relatively lower intensity compared to what would come later.
Brings back memories
15 minutes I didn't mind listening to,, but I won't seek it out. Don't care gave me a chuckle. Fun 80s punk but I'll go listen to black flag
an album that is said to be a landmark in early punk music, with a whopping runtime of... 15 minutes. yep, seriously. i thought the spotify version was bugged, but no, this album isn't even half an hour long, most tracks only about 30 seconds to a minute in length. are the songs good? yeah, i'd say so. it's just crazy how this album was written. they didn't want to waste ANY time here. they wanna get out all their rage fast, with some ridiculousness in between. hope you like headbanging at speeds faster than normal. blink and you'll miss it.
I have a newfound appreciation for punk now that I'm pretty present in the baltimore hardcore scene.
Kurz, knackig und frisch
I could have listened to 16 minutes of this
Silly boys. I’m from the area where this band started. I was too young when the band was playing gigs in the South Bay, and I’m too old now.
Not like a “pleasant listening experience” but the playing here absolutely shreds. Drums and guitar whip ass.
Took me a good bit to get acclimated but I think I was having fun with it by the end.
Surprisingly varied and dynamic for 15 mins worth of music! I really liked it! It does what it's supposed to do - short, fast and loud.
High energy irreverence with great drumming. Shorter than many songs I listen to. Fucking great.
When I'm in the right mood, I enjoy hardcore punk. It's never my go-to genre, but I appreciate it. I've never listened to or heard of Circle Jerks before, but this was a fun (and very quick) listen.
Explosive drumming, punchy riffs, bratty vocals, concise writing, teenage rage and LAlienation, cheap and crappy sounding DIY style. They pretty much perfected the genre on their first attempt.
FUN!
classic punk, fast, dirty, noisy. Shame it's less than 20 minutes long.
I like the music and really love that it is only 15 minutes. 4/5
This fucks (pun intended)
It's a short and sweet punk record.
hardcore punk de 15 minutos? aprecio bastante. 100% besta, rápido e agressivo. tudo que eu preciso pra apreciar o feriadão
This was actually a really pleasant surprise. Fast, quick, well paced.
Cacophonous punk that I enjoyed
14 songs, 15 minutes, enough lyrics and passion to chew on for days.
You know what, they get to the point
Normaliseer korte albums en nummers. Top
Fast and frantic. After several days in a row of 1+ hour long albums though, the brevity here was refreshing. The sound is unquestionably punk, but I'm into it.
Wouw.. classic, 1-2-3-4, take no prisoners!
Hardcore isn't my favorite, but I dug this. Short and sweet. I'm kind of surprised I'd never heard it before because I certainly knew OF the Circle Jerks. Anyway, great stuff.
Extra star for the format - 14 songs in 15 minutes. Pretty solid hard-core too.
I often feel like I've got the world up my ass. Proper punk, proper fun.
Prima punk Ik vind leuk
I had a spare hour, so I listened to it 4 times. Finally a punk album on this list that I didn't already know and didn't hate. Quite enjoyed it. Relentless, brash, and fun. It's not as good as some of the punk/hardcore albums that were criminally overlooked for this list, but I enjoyed it.
Це справжня класика каліфорнійського #hardcorepunk. І якщо вам не знайомий цей гурт, то ви 100% знаєте про його видатного учасника - вокаліста Keith Morris, що покинув Black Flag та фактично сформував The Circle Jerks. Чим для мене найбільш примітний цей альбом, так це те, що тут присутня не тільки сира «пубертатна» агресія, але і доволі фановий, веселий вайб, що пізніше перекочує в Bad Religion разом із гітаристом Greg Hetson, і надихне майбутні каліфорнійські панк гурти, на кшталт NOFX та The Vandals. Хоча за рівнем енергії та хаосу, що тут присутні, альбом не поступається тому ж легендарному Damaged від, вищезгаданих, Blag Flag. Той хто все ж наважиться послухати цю роботу, то неодмінно зверне увагу, що продакшн на альбомі залишає бажати кращого, тому, загально, все відчувається немов каша. Але, на мій погляд, це грає альбому тільки на руку. Я взагалі фанат lo-fi звучання, коли за цим стоїть цікава концепція і коли це створює відповідну атмосферу. І якщо зараз таке звучання часто роблять спеціально, то в цьому випадку вони вийшло таким бо інакше зробити у музикантів просто не було можливості - вони відштовхувались від того, що є. Тому в умовах обмежень, вони спромагаються брати не «масним» та «жирним» звуком, а особливим «фановим» настроєм та шаленою енергією. І цьому, насправді, варто повчитись багатьом новим гуртам, що грають подібну музику, бо часто ми чуємо вельми непогане звучання, але напрочуд «блідий» матеріал.
Great
My enjoyment of this album was substantially mitigated by the thought of having group sex with these people now.
This is the best example of what a hardcore band can sound like. Simple, direct and as fast as you can. The music is a reflection of the rebellious youth with no prospects for the future at that time. The fear of a new war can be seen through the lyrics. Finally, the current generation should reflect on this manifestation of hatred against the system. This is what it's really like to be against the system.
Not that bad for early punk
Much better than the Beatles
Awwwwe shit. Circle Jerks!! Love this genre! It’s funny this whole album has 14 tracks and is only 15 min long lol
82% Best: Operation; Back Against the Wall; Paid Vacation; Red Tape Must-Hear? Sure
This is such a fun and classic album. It’s definitely one of the foundational records of early hardcore punk. The low-budget production gives it a raw, stripped-down sound that adds to the DIY vibe. It’s energetic, fast-paced, and straight to the point, with the entire album clocking in at just 15 minutes.
This was a reeeally fun 16 minutes
I hate to admit how much I liked this. I couldn't stop laughing, especial at the title track.
Smile on my face when I opened to this album. Thank God, finally some general angst and disgust!
Really liked this album. The songs honestly don't feel short since they squeeze so much into them. Not grating unlike some of the other punk albums similar to this I've listened to.
all the signs were this was gonna be awful... but no, it was awesome! fresh, biting, full of energy
3.6
It's as good as hardcore punk gets. 4 stars.
It’s only sixteen minutes long. What am I supposed to do with this. I need more to judge. It’s all great, but, like more please? 4/5
A masterful use of time in this 14 song, 15 minute debut record. The punk jams are awesome and they segue into each other so fluidly
Look at the band name. Look at the album name. Did I have high expectations? Did you? No, not at all. This screamed novelty to me as I judged this album by its cover. Or shock rock. Or something I wanted no part of. I was worried this was another Napalm Death situation. I wasn’t ready. Then I saw it was literally 15 minutes long. The length of my commute home. No matter the content, it would be over before I got home. That alone was going to earn it at least two stars - it couldn’t overstay its welcome. Thankfully, I actually quite liked the content. I was surprised. It’s by no means deep or virtuosic. But man those riffs are catchy and just fun to listen to. Felt like a true punk album. Only a punk band would not give enough of a fuck to record something longer than 15 minutes. They’d expand the songs with solos and bridges and breakdowns. But nope, not these guys. They said fuck all that and made a 15 minute record. Good for them. Had it been twice the length it might’ve gotten two stars from me. But it wasn’t; it was 15 minutes. Four stars. Standout Tracks: Deny Everything, I Just Want Some Skank, Beverly Hills, Back Against the Wall, Paid Vacation, Don’t Care, What’s Your Problem
"I don't want to live to be 43" Well, they're playing again and it's 44 years after this album was released. Probably one of the fastest and most aggressive records of its time. Most of it still sounds alright by today's standards. They could have released it last year and people would have loved it. Favorite song: red tape.
Lekker anti
7/10. It is chaotic, but in a good way. I am astounded by its short length. I listen to Dream Theater, so I've heard many songs that are longer than this album. :)
I've listened to this so many times now, and not just because it's short. I love it more each time; it really boosts my mood and energy. What a fun discovery.
Pretty raw early punk
Listened Before? Y This may not be a popular album overall... but it IS a popular album with me! I love this old-ass hardcore stuff. Short brutal songs, and fun lyrics. It has a quality I usually hate - repetitive lyrics - but the songs are so short it doesn't matter. This one is a banger. Added to Library? Y Songs added to playlist: World up My Ass
Appalling
Fantastic!!!
Get in. Get out. Rock. 4/5
Great political punk album.
Not available at the link
the kind of punk i like when I'm in the mood. the songs are really short but the album flows well.
Enjoyed this way more than I thought I would.
Gets extra point for being short
Þetta er formúlan. Fíla það í tætlur.
A wonderful Whitman’s sampler of hard core punk.
15 minutes of pure fun
I'm two albums from the finish line so when this came up I thought 'I hope this is short'. My heart sank - 14 tracks! But wait - 16 minutes! Result! I love this kind of stuff - smacks you round the head then f*cks off. Doesn't care what you think.
A blink and you'll miss it classic punk album. 14 high octane tracks clocking in just shy of 16 minutes. Perfect hardcore punk with a diy sounding production, delightfully unrefined performances, zero nuance or subtly from frontman Keith Morris, but why would you be looking for anything more/less in the genre? I fully support this album making the list.
Hardcore classic. No messin. All yellin
Excellent
Oh this is like PUNK punk... Zero songs longer than 2 minutes, wow haha.
I would love to see this live - the songs are intense and yet over as soon as they begin - will listen to more from these guys for sure
A (semi-)classic of the early hardcore punk. 15,5 minutes, 14 songs. It's one of the albums I had looked up earlier because of NOFX's song "Two Jealous Agains" which speaks about merging record collections with a new partner and now has so many 80's punk albums double, with the mention "We now have 31 minutes of group sex"
I get the appeal & I'm impressed this was released in 1980 - I'm certain this album pissed off a lot of people. GOOD. I love the raunch & the attitude. Great hard core punk.
Nice 80s punk.
I really love this, but I don't expect that to have the same sentiment across the board. The brevity, the attitude, the growl of the bass, the drum kit that sounds like it's made of scrap metal, it all adds up to a great sound that's unmatched.
Fun punk album
Fantastic. Great punk album
Group Sex with Circle Jerks sounds like a bad idea. It is not. It is fun, energetic and you are finished quickly. Good punk rock album!
Blink and you’ll miss it. That was like being slapped in the face with a wet fish and I loved it! Although I wonder how many songs they had to play at a gig!
This was like the oppsite of that 69 song thing. Longest song was 1:30 something lots under a minute. I prefer this approach and enjoyed the pubky shouty stuff. I now want o make an album 9 minutes long.
Young, dumb and full of...fun? Joyously and willfully unsophisticated - one of the better US interpretations of punk. Having said that, anything longer would've been too much.
Very fun and appreciate the length.
Fast and furious in 15 minutes.
Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Operation, World up my ass, Don’t care, What’s your problem
Punk done right
Fourteen songs in fifteen and a half minutes! It's perfect for this genre. Gets the angry out and gets it done. "World Up My Ass" has been a favorite for decades, and the rest stands up to it. Mind you if it went on much longer, this probably wouldn't be true.
For a genre that I would consider not at all my cup of tea, I enjoyed the flavor of this one.
Lyrics: The lyrics of "Group Sex" are characterized by their straightforward, confrontational nature, often addressing themes of societal alienation, disillusionment, and rebellion. Tracks like "Deny Everything" and "Live Fast Die Young" encapsulate the nihilistic ethos of the early hardcore punk movement, with lyrics that reject conformity and advocate for living life on one's own terms. However, the album's brevity leaves little room for lyrical depth or nuance, and some may find its overtly confrontational approach to be lacking in subtlety. Music: Musically, "Group Sex" is relentless in its intensity, with blistering guitar riffs, thunderous drumming, and aggressive vocals that rarely let up throughout its 14 tracks. The band's tight musicianship and frenetic energy create a sense of urgency that propels the listener from one song to the next. Tracks like "Wasted" and "World Up My Ass" showcase the band's ability to craft catchy hooks amidst the chaos, while songs like "Operation" and "Red Tape" demonstrate their penchant for blistering speed and aggression. Production: "Group Sex" is characterized by its lo-fi production, which lends the album a raw, unpolished sound that perfectly complements its punk aesthetic. The production quality may be a turn-off for some listeners who prefer more polished recordings, but for many fans of hardcore punk, it adds to the album's authenticity and DIY ethos. The rough edges and imperfections only serve to enhance the album's sense of urgency and immediacy. Themes: Thematically, "Group Sex" reflects the disillusionment and alienation felt by many young people in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The album's lyrics tackle issues such as societal conformity, political corruption, and the ennui of suburban life, echoing the sentiments of many disaffected youth of the time. While the album's themes may feel somewhat dated to contemporary listeners, its raw energy and rebellious spirit continue to resonate with fans of punk rock and hardcore music. Influence: "Group Sex" is widely regarded as a seminal album in the hardcore punk genre and has had a significant influence on subsequent generations of punk musicians. Its aggressive sound, confrontational lyrics, and DIY ethos helped to define the aesthetic of hardcore punk in the early 1980s, and its impact can still be felt in punk music today. Bands such as Bad Religion, NOFX, and Pennywise have cited Circle Jerks as a major influence, and the album continues to be revered by punk fans around the world. Pros: Raw, unapologetic energy that captures the spirit of early hardcore punk. Tight musicianship and catchy hooks that keep the listener engaged from start to finish. Confrontational lyrics that address themes of alienation, disillusionment, and rebellion. Influence on subsequent generations of punk musicians. Cons: Lack of lyrical depth or nuance due to the album's brevity. Lo-fi production may be off-putting to some listeners. Themes may feel somewhat dated to contemporary audiences. Conclusion: In conclusion, "Group Sex" by Circle Jerks is a landmark album in the hardcore punk genre, characterized by its raw energy, aggressive sound, and confrontational lyrics. While its brevity and lo-fi production may not be to everyone's taste, its influence on subsequent generations of punk musicians cannot be overstated. For fans of hardcore punk and underground music, "Group Sex" remains essential listening and a testament to the enduring power of DIY ethos and rebellious spirit of punk rock.
14 songs in 15 minutes. I dig.
it's immature and stupid but i like that and i like the circle jerks. it's fast and fun what more do u want.
rocking hard and straight to the point.
Punk! Punk! Punk!
Riktig punk!! Älskar att albumet var 15 min, perfekt längd!! Favoritlåt från albumet var: Live fast die young Albumet får 4 av 5 ⭐️
Went from a 140 minute album to a 15 minute one. Would prefer to listen to this one 9.3 times. The 14 tracks surprisingly have a distinct and developed structure!
It’s fast, fun and well executed. Considering that it’s 14 tracks in 15 minutes, Circle Jerks manage to make most tracks sound distinct. Not bad.
Now that's fucking punk
Lead singer is the guy from black flag who are definitely a lot more successful. Still a lot of fun and intense for 15 minutes. Up there with Dead Kennedy's 4/5. Stand Out Songs: Wasted, Paid Vacation, Live Fast Die Young (Definitely one of my favourite punk songs)
One of the best punk debuts ever, still as fresh ad ever. B+
Hard punk, absolutely banging, a bit short.
One of the rare American Punk albums that actually delivers. Short and very sweet. I'd never heard this album before, but I'd heard the influences in many other bands, from Nuclear Assault to the Arctic Monkeys. It's not quite good enough to deserve a full 5 stars, but it's really close.
Like a 45 minute album played at x3 all squished into 15 mins. Excellent.
Deny Everything- 2.8/5 I Just Want Some Skank- 3.1/5 Beverly Hills- 4.1/5 Operation- 4.3/5 Back Against the Wall- 3.8/5 Wasted- 4.5/5 Behind the Door- 3.5/5 World Up My Ass- 5/5 Paid Vacation- 4.2/5 Don't Care- 4/5 Live Fast Die Young- 3.3/5 What's Your Problem- 4.5/5 Group Sex- 3.8/5 Red Tape- 4.6/5 Total- 4/5
Finally some So Cal punk. Was not my absolute favorite punk album but def my favorite so far. Sure they had some questionable songs but they also had stuff like "Beverly Hills" and "What's Your Problem" or "Red Tape" that have some substance to them. All of the songs at least had a point which is more than can be said for some of the other albums we've been forced to endure. That's why I love punk because it's not about making the music sound pretty and getting everybody to like it, it's about getting a point across and playing really fast. I thought Circle Jerks sounded great on this album (they played really fast), their songs were short and catchy and very punk, very anti establishment/the man and I really liked this album. Can definitely see hints of this in early Green Day and other So Cal punk bands. Also I really liked that the album was only 16 minutes that was refreshing (wish Bob Dylan's albums were this short).
Good chance I'll never listen to it again but having been having been a tween in the golden age of punk, this is one of the albums you play to explain punk rock.
This album brought me back to my middle school/high school days. I mostly listened to punk compilations (shouts out Fat Wreckords) so I never truly dove into full albums, but I remember this first song, Deny Everything, from one of the mix tapes I listened to. All thats to say is I thought this album was great and a fun listen. It was definitely a change of pace comeing from Paul Simon but I welcomed it. Hard to name too many stand outs because each song is so short but Live Fast Die Young is great.
Fun, catchy, quick hardcore. Will revisit the band for sure
Fun listen. Listened to it multiple times. Very easy to do that with only 15 mins of recorded songs, though. Probably would be 3 stars just based off of the album, but I'm giving it 4 stars after looking into the album and overall impact of the album in the hardcore punk scene.
Back in high school, I had a Red Hot Chili Peppers poster in my bedroom. One day, my dad angrily notices that there's a sticker on Flea's guitar that says "Circle Jerks." Not knowing that Circle Jerks were a band, and not knowing the meaning of the term, I was clueless as to why he was so pissed. I can't remember if there was any more to the interaction than that, but since my parents always assumed the worst in me, I'm sure my dad thought that I got that poster solely to piss him off with the presence of the words "Circle Jerks." Enough about my crappy dad. One of the things I was most excited to listen to on this was hardcore punk: Bad Brains, Black Flag, Minor Threat, etc. This is only my second hardcore album, after Black Flag's Damaged. Group Sex felt pretty akin to Damaged: short, fast-tempo songs, with angry screamed lyrics. Overall, I enjoyed this album. One of my favorite thing about hardcore albums is that the songs tend to be short and to the point, and this album was no exception to that. The lyrics were full of anger and disillusionment, and I liked the fact that they covered a wide swath of topics like vasectomies and reproduction, police brutality, nuclear war, and sex. Musically, I loved that the songs segued smoothly from one to another, without the songs all sounding identical to one another. The guitar playing, drumming, and vocals all came together to create a really unique and great hardcore punk sound. This was a really solid album, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it.
Short and to the point, like group sex should be. Wait, no...
Raw, fast, powerful.
The hardcore scene was going strong in my small town in Northern California while I was in high school in the mid to late 2000s. This album, though made 25 years before that time, was a huge nostalgia trip. At a tight 16 minutes, this album is fast, punchy, and remains high energy throughout. It’s obvious why it’s such a well regarding hardcore album.
I’m not a fan of gen x punk, I really didn’t like the germs which came up on here. I absolutely love that this album is 15mins, and by the time it got to group sex I was really tuned into the album. I liked it.
Good! Some cool song, really short, quite a fun.
Lean and mean
Bc we could laugh about it :)
A short, sharp smack around the face - loud, antisocial, obnoxious and not without humour. Love the track about getting a vasectomy, an uncommon subject for a song. But an important one - right guys?
I enjoyed this. It was quick and fun to listen to.
4 stars
first listen a sweltering 15 minutes of energy
This was great. Pretty pure distillation of this era of punk.
Un espectacular e influyente disco de punk estadounidense. Las letras, la inflexión y la composición se notan sumamente influyentes para el género del Hardcore y el post-Hardcore. Con el trabajo, definitivamente Circle Jerks se transformó en uno de los actos más importantes y disruptivos para la escena punk norteamericana.
Medicine for your ears.
Show me another album where you can get 14 songs in less than 16 minutes!
Ah, punk. I was into punk a lot more in high school. But I definitely appreciate these guys. Also, a good 15 minute album is always a nice refresher (I have a number of songs longer than this album). Energy is a huge factor here. It was fun and definitely sounded fun, too. It would have been nice for it to be longer than 15 minutes, but not necessary.
14 songs in 15 minutes? Wow. But kudos to good punk, they play so frantically and pack a ton into short songs that make them sound a lot longer than they really are. Again, punk isn't my scene and certainly not hardcore punk, but this band and album is good. It's got a lot of that screw you punk ethos with plenty of cheeky lyrics. Favorites were Beverly Hills, Wasted, World Up My Ass, Paid Vacation, and Live Fast Die Young. I'm not quite sure it's a 4, but given how much of a pioneering album this was, I rounded up.
Fun intro to hardcore punk. Short and two the point, a great quick listen.
I really like this early punk. Reminds me of my first listen of Germs. The drummer is fantastic. Although it’s hard to think of a mood to return to this with, I still saved a few like Red Tape.
amazing. pure punk!
Most hardcore punk isn't really stuff I'm gonna put on randomly tbh, but I can definitely enjoy it in small doses. 15 minutes of this is just about perfect, and while I don't see myself revisiting it any time soon, this was quite enjoyable. I'd call it a solid 3.5, rounded up because most of y'all got some basic ass boomer taste lol
Mercifully short, this is a punchy, punky album. Taking cues from previous punk, they get to the point straight away and don't overcomplicate it, which I very much appreciate.
really and truly liked this album. it was just on the verge of being too punk/grunge but they really delve deeper into rock than their name/lyrics would imply
Tight hard-core album, just enough novelty to keep it going for the 15-ish minute album runtime
Boom and out.
lots of enthusiasm, not much staying power
Those young men certainly are not very happy with the state of things
Well wasn’t that just the cutest little album ya ever did hear? 7/10
Instant classic hardcore punk rock
Great record. Loud, fast, aggressive, and definitely to the point (see: I just want some skank…). Definitely had Black Flag vibes so I’m it wasnt a total surprise to hear that there was some crossover. I’m sure I Dont Care is/was a Black Flag song too.
Really enjoyed this, the definition of short and sweet. This is proper hardcore punk, just plain fun. Must have listened to it 4 times which is a good sign. Hard to pick any particular highlights because the songs finish so quickly but I did quite like "Live Fast Die Young".
Awesome! Punck Rock :-) Songs are very short so no way that you'd get sick of them
14 tracks 15 minutes 🤘
Short and sweet.
fucking love this old school hardcore punk. Was introduced to this watching Repo Man as a young lad. IDK why I didn't listen to it more when I was a teen
Hell yes.
Tämä tasapainottelee sen välillä, kuulostaako hyvällä tavalla huonolta vai huonolla tavalla huonolta. Lopputulos: hyvällä tavalla - bändin ilmaisussa on yllätyksellisyyttä, jota on mahdotonta toistaa. Asiaa auttaa myös se, että suurin osa levyn biiseistä voi jäädä soimaan päähän.
Fun. 'Red Tape' could be a worldwide national anthem. Scoring 4 just because there is Bad Religion on the field. Long live for Circle Jerks!
This absolutely slapped. Succinct and powerful hardcore that shaped the way for an incredibly impactful subgenre
14 songs in 15 minutes. Barely enough room to breathe. The Spotify ads lasted longer. I listened to this album three times. I still wanted more. Punk's not dead, etc. It's available for £15 on eBay...
Classic punk rock album that defined the genre.
No pretensions with this one, just 15 straight minutes of DIY hardcore punk.
What can I say. Either you like the Circle Jerks brand of aggressive and puerile punk rock or you don't. Even for some punks, there high school boy style lyrics are a bridge too far. Others enjoy the satire. Think of the songs on this album as self referential commentary on punk itself, not to mention American culture, and you will find it brilliant.
I’m a sucker for punk and this album is absolutely great! Love the length and energy of the songs. In. Out. Wham. Bam. Love it, solid 4. 1. I Just Want Some Skank 2. Beverly Hills 3. Behind the Door 4. World up My Ass
Good thing this is only 15 minutes long or it would become extremely repetitive. I'm sure some people will still think it is. I like it though. It's high-energy, fun chord progressions, good drumming. Just need to be in the right mood for hardcore punk.
I knew nothing about this album and it was super weird but I really like it. I also liked how to the point it was with the songs and the album being so short was a nice surprise.
edgy, sexual, explosive punk rock. its fast and furious. it’s only 15 minutes. frantic drumming everywhere, madness in the vocals, sloppy tight playing. good album.
Almost 16 solid minutes of nostalgia!
I'll forget everything I thought I knew about punk. 15 minutes of pure anger are what I'll call punk from now on.
Always a coin flip if I'm going to enjoy a punk rock act, but I liked these guys. The songs sounded very similar to each other, but none of them wore our their welcome
Good rock album - reminded me of good old bad religion punk rock
I've been on this personal punk journey for a bit now and I really like this album (first time listening to it). Hardcore is hit or miss for me. This is hit. Makes sense as I really appreciated the Black Flag stuff with Morris as a front man, even more so than the Rollins stuff. This is going to make me check out Redd Kross and give Bad Religion another look. Very enjoyable, short and succinct.
Punk de los L.A. a primero de los 80 con 14 temas en 15 minutos y 51 segundos. Es más fácil que lo oigas que explicarte de qué estamos hablando. Un acierto que esté en esta lista.
Landmark punk recording. Real fun listen. Too short, in true punk fashion.
This is the album that got me into punk rock. It's good for an angsty teen: it's fast and it's angry and it's vulgar. It's not much more though.
Great album
Not a huge fan of punk but this is good
Last post, I compared punk/Hardcore to Heavy dark metal, in that Metal sometimes takes themselves too seriously and punk at least has a sense of humour and is angry music in a different way. I was directly thinking of the Circle Jerks, probably the first hardcore punk band I liked and was amused by their political and social messaging in their songs. Group Sex is my first exposure to the Jerks and boy did it make an impression! There 14 songs in just over 15 minutes, yet this is an epic record that remains one of the best of it's genre. It's tight, it's fast and it actual made me laugh a few times because of the absurdity of the songs and the pure raw energy of the band. Back in the day, I put this album and Wild In The Street on one side of a 90 minute cassette (Buzzcocks on the other side) and it was probably my most played tape. Still play it to this day!
Classic punk, what more can you say
That's it. Nice and easy. Just slam down for thirty seconds and get it over with. No edging on this record. A straightforward angry wank and you're out.
I really enjoyed this one
Surprised by how much I enjoyed this. I can't believe it was released in 1980. 4/5
A true classic of the HC-Punk wave. A fun listen too. A bit short though, and the sound is pretty bad, but thats to be expected.
Reippaita biisejä ja ihanan lyhyitä - ei mitään ylimääräistä vaan juuri sopivasti energiaa. Laulajan ääni oli hivenen tylsä, siksi kenties bändi ei ole tämän kuuluisampi. Tai ehkä en vain itse ole törmännyt. Hyvä kuitenkin että törmäsin nyt, levy ehti soida kolme kertaa ennen kuin viitsin vaihtaa.
Täydellinen hc-levyn pituus: 15,5 min! Onhan tää rumaa ja suttuisen sotkuista, sekä tosi teiniä, mutta samalla tää on taas niitä peruspilareita jotka on näyttänyt suuntaa. Tykkään tosi paljon. Annan nelosen vaikka periaatteessa oikeen vihasena päivänä tää yltäis kyllä femmaankin. 4/5
Hyvää vanhan ajan punkkia! Meneehän se
I love punk that is able to not take itself too seriously while also not falling into parody.
You've got to applaud the Circle Jerks for their brevity. I mean, wow. What a perfect 15-minute nugget of hardcore that burns brilliantly without overstaying its welcome. All muscle, no fat, minimal brains. What a blast. Fave Songs: Behind the Door, I Just Want Some Skank, Live Fast Die Young, Deny Everything, Back Against the Wall
Silly little hxc album. Really good.
Compared to Bad Brains, Black Flag, Dead Kennedys, and Minor Threat, Circle Jerks has been seemingly overlooked as pioneers of hardcore punk. Group Sex is incredibly brief, wasting no time. Get the idea out there and move on. It's incredible. If you know your punk history, you'll trace lead singer Keith Morris back to Black Flag's early days, specifically the fantastic EP Nervous Breakdown. For me, that early Black Flag energy was something to behold, so I thoroughly enjoyed Morris' energy on this album. Every song on here fucks. There's no doubt in my mind they just threw together songs that wee fast and raw and left it at that. Excellent. That's punk in it's purest form.
Killer
Nopee
Classic hardcore banger. In and out, 15 minute adventure
B4nger
I think I was just in a good mood yesterday because I liked this far more than I reasonably should have from an objective standpoint. Probably actually a 3.5.
Short. Wild. 4/5
7,5/10
Blast some punk!
Quite crass but a good bop
Wow. 14 songs in less than 16 minutes it's a proof of how fast they play. Good record. Powerful band. A true classic.
Hardcore punk and some of its hardcore punkiest. It is a bit uneven at times, but if you don't like a song it will be over before you know it.
Kinda fun actually
Was prepped to hate this given the name but I loved it. Interestingly short but it reminded me of so many great punk bands all rolled up together.
Well, that was quicker than I expected Group Sex to be. Hard to believe this doesn't carry some explicit warning, but it was a different time. I did enjoy it though.
Straight up West-Coast American punk. Short, punchy, shouty, fast drums and chords. I dig it.
James would love the song Operation
Its simplicity is its appeal. All over too quickly
First things first, what a lovely band and album name. I could tell I was in for some rowdy punk music from that alone, and boy was I right. I actually really enjoyed this one. Apparently it's a vocalist from Black Flag, who I also enjoy sometimes. I love the energy on this project, and the fact that it averages just over a minute per track is a welcome oddity compared to some long ones we've had. Guitars are fuzzy but strong, and the drumming is very clear. Just about everything punk-wise is done right here. Among all the punk projects we've had on the list so far, this one is near the top. Not Stooges level for me, but an excellent angsty-garage-music vibe that flowed throughout. Quite a few highlights for me too. Extra points for efficiency of time. Favorite tracks: Operation, Back Against the Wall, Live Fast Die Young, What's Your Problem. Album art: Excellent picture here, love the splashes of color throughout an otherwise monochromatic picture. Great bold, messy font too. What more could you ask for? 4/5
Classic punk at it's best, while not a massive fan of punk, it's bands like these that make me wonder why they weren't anywhere near as famous as the Sex Pistols, whilst being way more talented. Raw energy and fast riffs for 15 minutes straight, what more do you want?!
Very fast, very loud, very funny, and very short. Kind of good, but I'm not sure "good" is what they were aiming for anyway.
If there is a single word that I could pick to describe hardcore punk, it would be efficient. I've been listening to this album for 2 minutes and 45 seconds, and I'm already done with three songs. This album gets through 14 songs in less than 16 minutes. Like I said, efficient This is a fun early example of hardcore and the style of the developing west coast punk scene. I feel like hardcore punk is a bit limited as a genre, but I also know that I would have fucking loved seeing this band when I was a teenager. As I get older, raw power in music appeals to me less and less, but when you're young and full of hormones and anger, it makes you feel like someone else gets it. This album is perfectly that. It's high energy everyday boredom and disaffection. And if you don't like it, it's over in 15 minutes 4/5
Vite fait bien fait Prefs: Operation, Back Against The Wall, Wasted, World Up My Ass, Live Fast Die Young, Group Sex Moins pref: I Just Want Some Skank
4/5 Very interesting album. Very short but that makes it more palatable for the genre
Classic punk. Short, fast, and angry. What more could you want?
Nice sample of hardcore. Short and sweated songs.
El epítome del punk! 14 canciones en 15 minutos, lo cual me parece una dosis adecuada porque no es mi género favorito, sólo me gustaría que fuera en 10 o 9 canciones, porque canciones de 35 o 43 segundos como que pierden el sentido para mi, aunque entiendo que es el punto del punk. 3.5 que suben a 4.
Banda norte-americana de hardcore punk. O álbum tem 14 músicas e 16 minutos. Sim! Pelo o que li, é uma característica da banda. Temas como sexo e política são recorrentes em todas as faixas.
14 songs in 15 minutes. What's not to like?
While overall I don't consider myself - in the broad sense - a fan of punk, I am a huge fan of this album. Keith Morris really embodies the snarling 'fuck you' attitude of punk. There's a sense of irreverence to this album that doesn't swirl out of control like later California punk albums but keeps it from becoming overly sanctimonious like some of the more political-minded punk albums of the time. It's fast, blunt, primitive, and doesn't overstay its welcome. While the band's best track - the cleverly ordered medley Golden Shower of Hits - isn't on this album, this is the most focused burst of overall quality from the band.
that was surprisingly enjoyable, and such a quick listen at only 16 minutes it also has a really fresh, classic sound for 1980, I think I’ll give it an 8/10
Just what I needed on a bright Sunday morning - 14 hard core punk tracks totalling 15 minutes, so quite bearable, like 1 shot of tequila to perk you up. It's like they couldn't be arsed to extend 14 hooks into 4 minutes songs, so listenable! 4/5
4.5
Aggressive punk!
Yes please
10/27 Raw essence of Punk. Standout Tracks: Deny Everything, I Just Want Some Skank, Beverly Hills, Back Against the Wall, Paid Vacation, Don't Care, Group Sex
Nice find, it's funny how it takes less than 20 minutes to play all 15 songs
4/5 classic stuff
fucking jerks! was definitely good
Fun album. I'm not a huge fan of bands that do purposely short songs, but they do it so well it is still enjoyable.
A este punto ya creo que con un disco de punk en toda la lista hubiera estado bien, lol. Pero bueno... sí me gustó, no puedo decir qué canción me gustó más, parecen todas la misma :v. En su conjunto estuvo chido, pero nada memorable como pa volver a escucharlo.
Un disco rapidito, lo cual se agradece, sobre todo también por el género. Me gusta, caótico, muy "raw", mucha energía acá, como que si provoca una acelaración. Quizá lo único que juega en contra es que la duración de las canciones y su abundancia hace que parezca que de repente es un único track largooooo con variaciones. Mis favoritas "I Just Want Some Skank", "World Up My Ass", "Live Fast Die Young" y la canción titular. 8/10
It's loud and gritty. Punk isn't my favorite genre but I can appreciate this album.
birth of hXc. can't beat it, feel 16 again listening to it. I did NOT know this was recorded in 1980!! So early
Super short album with songs that last just over a minute on average. Super political and in your face.
Pretty good stuff, not my every day listen but I appreciate it a lot for what it is and what came after. Between a 3 and 4, since I probably won’t listen again
I’m willing to be this is the only album on this list that contains a song where the chorus is “the world is up my ass”. It’s snotty, chaotic and unapologetically in your face. It’s west coast hard core so it’s hard, fast and tight. Not a great work of art but a work of great self expression
Yes it's loud and frantic, but I was expecting this to be way more abrasive than it was. It's still got something to it, and it naturally shot by really quickly. If this were twice as long it'd be more of a slog.
not normally one for hardcore punk….. especially the american stuff but this is probably the best one i’ve heard so far 3.5
Classic US punk album - short songs, high energy - a quick enjoyable listen
When the album started off it wasn’t bad, but I honestly was wondering how I was going to feel about a whole album, but then it ended just as quickly. Couldn’t believe when I checked it was only 15 minutes long. So a solid 3 from me.
Short and not so sweet. Favorite track: Back Against The Wall 3.5/5
Good album. Fast, very punk, very raw guitars.
Comme un ouragan
Un album punk normal la verdad, es muy corto, 15 minutos apenas, no debería ser un ep?
Decent enough punk but like 15 minutes? That's it?
Well, that went by quickly! Fairly standard punk. Not sure what qualifies it for the list. 3
For what it was, it was okay. And in general, I like punk. To listen to a full album in 15 minutes was wild, but expected. I liked the energy, but I just didn't vibe with this album as much as other albums. Maybe that's just me, but it felt like 15 minutes of being yelled at, rather than getting something out of it.
It was so short I'm not even bothered it wasn't that good
Did you know that a young Tony Hawk was actually there to witness and be a part of the picture for Circle Jerk's debut studio album Group Sex? You can't see him within the frame but from his own first hand account he is just outside of frame in the album cover. I don't know how to segwey from that fun fact into my review so I guess I'll just dive into it all. As with a lot of Hardcore Punk, but especially Cali Punk as a whole, this album is chaotic as all hell. With only 15 minutes of runtime, Circle Jerks surprisingly get a lot out in that time and make quite a statement for themselves as a force to be reconned with in the Cali Punk scene. Some of my favorite tracks here include the group's cover of Black Flag's Wasted, Live Fast Die Young, and Paid Vacation. One thing is made certain on this album, this group is quippy as hell and has some fighting words to be spoken unalike some of the more moody and emotional music with surface level lyrics in the Punk scene at the time. This project flies by and there is a lot that can be missed if you don't pay attention, so throw this album on if you want a speedy and heavy 15 minutes or if you want some surprisingly relevant commentary hidden between some killer guitar riffs.
3.5
I respect the vision.
3 stars
It’s crazy how I enjoy several songs longer than this whole album.
Ehhh punk
This is going onto the soundtrack to a character I need to play from time to time who is an ex car bomber. This is the peak of angry young man music.
High 3 - punk basics
Short and sweet
It's interesting to hear some early hardcore punk. Lots of posturing, noise and bluster is a welcome thing - it reminds me of being at fantastic (if sparsely attended) gigs in small venues. Too many albums are overlong for no reason, so it's nice to be reminded how far you can push the other way.
Low 3 from me today, I respect the quickfire hardcore punk thing but my hardcore is hardcore emo which carries a lot more emotion in it. Like most punk music I just don’t dig what this is going for attitude and vocal-wise, but as usual I enjoy the guitar playing.
It’s 15 minutes long and some of the lyrics are incredible. I wanted to skip it as soon as the first song started but I’m glad I gave this a listen. Punk’s fun.
A 15 minute album is hilarious
Slightly better than your average 80s hardcore. Has just enough fun to keep 15 minutes from feeling like 30.
This was alright
Lol, because it is only 15 minutes album, I will give 3
Short, aggressive, loud, and angry are traits I dislike in fellow beings but it works here. How did I not know about this growing up? I wonder how long their concerts were. 20 minutes? 3.9
lol cute glad i listened but punk isn't for me
So I don't typically like punk albums but this one was relatively short and semi-sweet. I can see the value in what it is and was - particularly the song about Santa Monica about 2 tracks in. Not my favorite genre but among one of the better examples of doing the genre right. 3/5
You know what fine for 16 minutes this got me through a boring opening shift and that’s all I need - what a wild name for an album from an even wilder name for a band.
The best punk album so far, definitely influenced by the fact it's 15 minutes long
Group sex? Sounds like a bunch of kids in a garage.
Great, energetic little piece of punk. It's just so short that I barely register it. It's no Minor Threat when it comes to brilliant short albums, but still a good time. Favourite track: Back Against the Wall
Quick punk album, nothing stood out personally to me.
14 songs in 15 minutes! I remember these guys from my skateboarding days. Definitely heard this album back then but it didn't really stick with me. Sounds just like early Black Flag for reasons that are obvious now but weren't so obvious as a teenager without access to the internet.
I like this. Short, angry, and sweet.
Enjoyed a little punk on another day this would likely be a 3.5 😂
90's punk version of the Ramones. Fun.
Their debut album. Punk. Ha ! What a fun fifteen minutes. I liked Beverly Hills Best. What else can I say !? Short, sharp, angst and some humour. Nice !
Here we have an essential hardcore album I’ve read about in passing but just never got around to. Revolutionary for its time, these are Wire’s short songs taken to their logical extreme; this 15-minute format would end up enduring in hardcore, especially in its more extreme offshoots (grindcore, anyone?). Fun, breezy, rebellious. Perfectly cromulent punk.
Short and sweet. "World up my Ass" spoke to me in particular. While this kind of punk gets a bad rap for being music that people not good enough at their instruments for anything else gravitate towards, I don't think that applies here. Probably won't listen again, but fun nonetheless.
This was fine. I like the idea of a 15 minute album as an introduction to a band or genre. I haven’t listened to much punk before, but I love the energy. I saw some other reviews take issues with the content but I don’t really focus on lyrics unless they’re really the only thing there, like in skits or more stripped down songs. I felt the volume and emotion more than I heard the words. I don’t think this will make my heavy rotation but I’m excited to see what else punk has in store for me! 3/5.
punk
Honestly I think this is the perfect length for a punk album.
14 songs in 15 minutes is actually crazy. There is no reasonable way to rank this album since it's so short. I feel like I'm stuck giving it a 3 since I liked it but didn't have the time to enjoy it.
Despite liking punk rock, especially the southern California scene the Circle Jerks come from, I never really got into this band. They just have never grabbed me the way their poppier contemporaries did. That being said, Keith Morris is an iconic front man, and the band is definitely important to the history of the punk scene. Also the fact that this album is 15 minutes long has always been lost on me. I mean, I'm all for short punk rock songs, but at least double the number of tracks or something to make it worth the purchase. In the end, I liked it, but because the run time is so short it’s impossible to give this any ranking other than a three.
I guess I liked it. It's short enough that it didn't have much time to annoy me, and there's actually some musicality to it from time to time rather than just pure noise. It's hard to give a 15 minute album 4+ stars, though. Like, "Fleabag" is one of my favorite TV shows of all time, but the entire series is the length of a couple movies so it's hard to call it the best TV show of all time. It executes really well, but the degree of difficulty is much lower with a shorter runtime. Similar thing here (except "Fleabag" is nearly flawless, and this is merely good (if you like punk)). 3.4
OK, this was actually a lot better than I expected. It's not really my kind of thing, but it was more musical than I was anticipating. High energy, direct, angry - punk music, really. Not bad at all.
You wanna know what’s punk? 14 tracks on an album that totals 15 minutes.