Circle Jerks – Group Sex (1980)

Unbelievable USA logo by Sarca @ caughtmegaming

USA Artists (so far): Aimee Mann, Marty Robbins, D’Angelo, The Modern Lovers, Bruce Springsteen, Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott, Steely Dan, Grant Lee Buffalo, 2Pac, Harry Nilsson, Linkin Park, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Randy Newman, The Monkees, Liz Phair, The Byrds, Anita Baker, Circle Jerks

.

[Album 498/1001]

Say what you will about the band name. About the album name. About some of the track names. About many of the lyrics…

But I will say this: when I make a rule that I have to listen to an album at least twice before reviewing, while also trying to meet a self-imposed deadline of 501 album reviews by November 30th, I thoroughly appreciate bands that can run through 14 songs in just over 15 minutes!

Now I may know less about hardcore punk than anyone else. But I’m guessing ‘achieving widespread acceptance’ wasn’t exactly the ethos of the genre.

In a way, someone like me finding good things to say could be perceived as bad news by the band!

But I’m afraid thanks to the exemplary running time, regardless of the content of the album itself, this one has become critically immune for me.

If you’ve seen the response that Fozzie Bear’s speech receives in The Muppet Christmas Carol, you’ll know what I mean.

The Circle Jerks are Fozzie Bear (obviously?) & I’m both Statler & Waldorf, the balcony hecklers.

And despite any concerns about what was actually said/played on this record, I can’t help but approve.

“It was short? I loved it!”

 …..

Verbalize the Positive

Compared to the album & artist names that Heavy Metal Overload (HMO) listens to, these guys seem relatively tame!

I appreciate that while we have considerably different ‘wheelhouses’ (Black Metal vs. Sad Bastard Rock), I’m always entertained when reading HMO’s posts & comments and I’ve enjoyed finding unanticipated common ground, like Rod Stewart & Frankie Goes to Hollywood!