Search - Black Flag :: Nervous Breakdown

The first- and best- of the early Flag recordings

Erik Samson | San Fransisco, CA | 06/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A simple- even Ramones-ish- guitar riff kicks off the oppening title song, followed by a spaced-out, almost drunken voice which sings "I'm about/ to have a nervous breakdown/ my head really hurts..." And so the world is introduced to Black Flag, one of the greatest and most enduring punk bands of all time.
Though Nervous Breakdown (the album, not the song) is only five minutes and twenty seconds long, its sound manages to stay so constantly fresh and exciting that you can play the entire EP ten times over and still feel like you're listining to it for the first time.
The lyrics are instantly memorable, like the chorus of "I've had it," in which Keith Morris chants "I'm.... Going.... To.... EXPLODE I'VE HAD IT!" Gregg Ginn's guitar playing, though childshly simple, is stll ferocious and brilliant, creating the perfect templete over which the lyrics can be sung.
Though not as angry or proffessionally played as later efforts, Nervous Breakdown remains my favorite Flag record, and a great landmark of Punk."

I LOVE THIS ALBUM

drgonzo31 | Belleville, NJ United States | 08/25/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I will probably get crucified for saying this, but I feel that this is Black Flag's best release. This is true American punk at it's finest. Just to let you know where I'm coming from, I think that "Everyting Went Black" is Black Flag's second best release and Keith Morris is one of my favorite singers of all time. I have nothing against Henry Rollins, but pre-Rollins Black Flag is in my opinion the finest American punk band of all time."

Punk Rock, BABY!!!

Cameron Brewer | 02/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Forget british punk or anything going on today, this is the REAL THING! Music made by punks for punks. Nervous Breakdown might just be the best damn punk song ever (even beating anything on Damaged). The rest are great, too, if a little short."