version sound wrote:I didn't always agree with his take on things, but I'd say that's pretty accurate. Three originals that don't best the first EP and a Monkees cover. IMHO, it's easily the weakest of the first six releases.
Yeah, too each their own. Here is what he said about In My Eyes:
This would be the best Minor Threat record if it only had another song or two. The writing's better than their first record, but not by much--that's is one case where quantity definitely triumphed over quality. That said, this record packs one hell of a wallop. I don't know about you, but Ian MacKaye's scream of "at least I'm fucking trying...what the fuck have you done?" is THE defining Minor Threat moment. These songs are the tightest, meanest, and best thing Minor Threat would ever record.
And Leglass Bull:
This record is so bad...I mean, it's...it's...it's just awful. GI aren't a band, they're a mess. Every instrument is off doing something else: the guitar wobbles along, the bass player is running around in circles, and John's just yelling over the racket, trying to call the song to order.
This is completely inept punk rock thrash, but it's got charm, originality and a unique spark that makes it stick in your head--joie de vivre, that's what this record's got. This is easily the most engaging thing the band ever recorded. They did turn into a tight, competent thrash (and later more melodic) band, making records that could smoke this one musically, but they lost that spark that grabbed my attention in the first place.
and....then Out of Step:
Minor Threat were such a great band, but they managed to put out two of the most disappointing records ever, the Salad Days 7" and this particular...work. The five piece Minor Threat were an absolute powerhouse live, still capable of reaching the same frenzied heights as their first two records, but when they went into the studio they just lost it. Instead of the raw, mean-ass sound on their first two records, they've got standard rock geeeetar (but two of 'em, so it's twice as good as Bruce Springsteen!). MacKaye's vocals are still powerful, but shouted choruses were punk rock cliche, even in 1979, so in 83 they just sound pathetic. Part of the appeal of the first two Minor Threat records was that Ian MacKaye was who you heard screaming, and it just seemed that much more intense because of the intimacy--it was a one on one, him and you, not Ian and Jeff and Lyle and Steve and Brian and a dozen other DC kids and you.
Again, I'm not telling somebody their ears don't work as good as mine...but...come on now. I don't even think MXV would already be calling Out of Step cliche?