Give thanks for this re-release
Patrick T. Grady | Palatine, IL | 10/21/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Thanks to Alternative Tentacles for this CD. Articles of Faith really should be grouped with bands like Minor Threat, Bad Brains, Black Flag, and the Dead Kennedys as one of the premier hardcore acts of the early and mid '80's, but they been largely forgotten, no doubt in part to the fact that the bulk of their discography has been out of print in the United States since the mid or late '80's. This disc (along with its companion, "Complete Vol. 2 1983-1985") serves to rectify that problem. Volume 1 compiles the group's debut EP, along with their first LP, the Bob Mould (Husker Du) produced "Give Thanks" (originally released on Husker Du's now defunct Reflex Records), along with a few compilation tracks, and a few others, including a solo recording of guitarist/singer Vic Bondi's folky rendition of "In This Life" (the original is on "Complete Volume 2") recorded in May 2002. Although Articles of Faith played thrash-style hardcore, don't get the impression that they were a simple, three-chord, polka-beat, "screw Reagan" band. These guys were excellent musicians who obviously had well-thought out ideas. Just read the lyrics to songs like "Buried Alive", "What We Want is Free", or "Everyman For Himself", and even if you disagree with the sentiment, its obvious that there was a lot of intelligence at work in this band.
One thing that I think is important to mention, though, is that the title of this disc is inaccurate, because this is not complete. AOF's "Core" CD, which was released in Europe in the early '90's (and I believe is still available) has a numbers of tracks that were unreleased before that CD came out, but only one of those, "Streefight", is available here. The CD re-release of "Give Thanks" (in Europe, on Bitzcore) also contained 2 bonus tracks, only one of which, "Prison" (incorrectly listed in the liner notes as originally from "Core"), is available here.
Anyway, this CD is essential listening for any fan of early '80's hardcore."
Still great
F.Dawson | huddersfield,england | 07/10/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"this is legendary hardcore from way back to the early eighties...but true classics never sound dated!!"
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1