LIVE 84

LIVE 84

Although Black Flag's classic period was between 1980 and 1982, with the punkier <I>Jealous Again</I> EP, the almost hardcore <I>Damaged</I> album, and the scattering of singles which surrounded them, the band's period of greatest influence was as a roaring sludge-metal outfit--as featured here. Singer Henry Rollins hadn't yet begun to think of himself as a poet, which is good. Guitarist Greg Ginn however, while always tremendous with a three-second lead flourish, had started to get flatulent with the solos, so punk purists beware. But the Kira Roessler/Bill Stevenson rhythm section was at their most thundering, and the track selection here draws from a wide swath of the band's catalogue. For a great career-retrospective, try <I>Wasted Again</I>. <i>--Gavin McNett</i>