Repeater

An album by Fugazi. (First listen)

Released

April 19 1990 (Dischord)

Recorded

Inner Ear, Arlington Virginia

Produced by

Fugazi, Ted Niceley

Listening context

Work

Device

Tablet

Wow. From the start of the opening track Turnover through to Brendan #1 (track 3), this album doesn’t let you breathe. It felt like being at a gig with the band only pausing when the front man needed a glug of water!

Going through the album, I heard how they used the bass to fill in gaps left by sparse guitar on Blueprint. They definitely embrace a ‘less is more’ philosophy with every instrument feeling restrained and purposeful.

The vocals feel barked and urgent reminding me of bands like Sick Of It All.

To my ears, I can hear the beginnings of modern hardcore and heavier pop-punk songs and I hear ideas later used in albums like The Shape Of Punk To Come by Refused. It feels like an important first step between punk and post-hardcore leading to bands like At The Drive-In.

This album is one that will live in my regular rotation.

Click here to listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/6JbGZGta38AArBgflt024C?si=RcNn8mdDSiuwJa1FH3KiSw

Click here to buy the album from Amazon.co.uk