Confinement being imposed, it is now time to make an inventory of my acquisitions as far as my CD and vinyl collection is concerned. After all, I have plenty of time to do this task ! However, I didn't think I'd be doing this kind of article before a little while, since it seemed much wiser to wait a little longer and therefore to provide you, in a more recurring way, with an overview of these albums that have made history in the Punk/Hardcore movement. I will try to update this list irregularly when the opportunity arises and when I have enough material to reveal you. In groups of four and at the frequency of one title per post, we will discover together, historical works in their physical versions, in analog or digital version. Sharpen your Dr Martens, put on your most beautiful T-shirts and punk patches, because we are going to travel to discover these pieces of music which made the great hours of a young protest movement and which sometimes deliver a message still in the era of time !
The Adolescents / S/T / 1981 / Frontier Records
More generally referred to as "Blue Album" by fans of the genre, the first act of arms of this group has a sound typical of what could offer bands from the American west coast. Emerging from Orange County in California, Adolescents gathered in its bosom several founding members of the Hardcore movement from the side of this territory. Not surprisingly, we find the participation of Frank Agnew on guitar, who has already played for Social Distortion, as well as bassist Steve Soto, a founding member of Agent Orange. It is with the meeting of Tony Cadena, a charismatic singer who would become famous for his hallucinating stage performance, that the project would take shape and see the light of day in 1980. The Adolescents quickly became one of the spearheads of the movement, to the point of becoming an institution in the state of California.
Attracting the interest of the Frontier label, in the presence of Mike Patton who produced and mastered this little gem in only four days, the band recorded this prodigious lp in January 1981. Released the following month, the blue album was an acoustic masterpiece. The quality of the mixing shows a very particular attention given to the instrumental parts. The sound of the guitars smell the sun of the American West and the simple but catchy riffs bring a very surf rock'n roll dimension, with the inclusion of a few succinct solos which will only be anthological ! The singing part is not to be outdone and Tony Cadena's voice, raging but melodious, will be highlighted by hearts supporting the harmonic aspect of the whole. For all these qualities, it is obvious that The Adolescents quickly gained the status of a cult work that will be an inexhaustible source of inspiration for a whole cohort of bands from this corner of America.
This album is not very difficult to find. Having sold a good number of copies (10,000 when it was first released), the originals are sold at a very fair price, especially since a whole bunch of represses have been released over the years. For my part, I have a recent reissue, in 180g version and transparent color marbled with black. You will have understood it, The Adolescents is a timeless classic, while having been a very academic record.
Kids in a fast lane living for today
No rules to abide by and no one to obey
Sex, drugs and fun is their only thought and care
Another swig of brew another overnight affair
Coming up in the next article : G.G Allin & Antiseen - Murder Junkies
Take care of yourself and listen to records !