Suicidal Tendencies Album: “Suicidal Tendencies”

Reguarding your Editoriol Reviews, per amazone.com's David Sprague on Suicidal Tendencies first album release, erroneously credits Rocky George and Mike Clark's guitar playing for being instrumental in part for the albums success. However, the original and actual guitar players on that album where bassist Louiche Mayorga and guitarist Grant Estes.

Suicidal Tendencies remains a comma in a footnote in the history of rock, but they wrote one song, "Institutionalized," which should forever imprint their legacy. There are a few songs which capture the zeitgeist of their decade: "White Cliffs of Dover" in the 40's; "Heartbreak Hotel" in the 50's; "The Times They Are a Changin'" and "My Generation" in the 60's; "Stayin' Alive" in the 70's; and "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in the 90's. The song for the 80's could be "Institutionalized." This punkrock paen to teen angst got sporadic airplay on alternative radio and the band still draws its loyal cult especially in native Southern California, but its canon remains relatively unknown and underappreciated in rock annals. But it will always have "Institutionalized." Twenty years later, I still hear it on KROQ, and I suspect its longevity will in itself increase its importance. But it is the lyrics, arrangement and musicianship that preserves its legacy and enduring relevancy. It is unlike any other rock song in history. Like very few songs ("Seven and Seven Is," "Like a Rolling Stone," and "Purple Haze," come to mind), it explodes out of the speaker. The lyrics are at once humorous, urgent and profound. The brilliantly performed narrative channels J.D. Salinger, Jack Kerouac and Lenny Bruce. The musicianship is amazing, especially the drumming.

Singer Mike Muir and his band have never capitalized on the potential that was demonstrated on "Institutionalized," though many songs in their catalog are vibrant and dynamically performed. But they're still on the road, which is saying something for a band that never compromised its relentless, punk style. If you want to own an important piece of rock history, own any album on which "Institutionalized" can be found.

Definately better than their "remake" attempt. Don't get the Still Psycho album, get the real deal. And don't just listen to the "two great songs" on this album. All of the songs are worth a listen. This is in your face song writing. Two Side Politics still was true well after it's creation (replace Reagan with Bush or Clinton or any future president). "I Want More" is very poinent and still true today. "Subliminal" was very key in its time when the government started experimenting with subliminal messages in their films. All great stuff. Get this and "Join Army". This is pure ST before they turned to straight Metal. Granted, they still have great albums and songs but it's got a different edge to it.

This has to be the best punk, most hardcore album ever made. From the psychotic cackling at the opening, to the nonstop assault of sound, to the most real lyrics about angst, aggression, and how f!@# up the world is, this album stands above all other punk/hardcore, especially the pop crap that's been mainlined into the teeny-bop mainstream. G.G. Allin's lyrics may be more evil and demented, the Dead Kennedys may be more political, but nobody else touches the musical rage of this CD. The later Suicidal albums are definitely disappointing in comparison, and sound like an attempt to go in a much slower and more studio direction.

If you want to hear real punk, get this CD.

If you like old-school hardcore punk like Black Flag, Dead Kennedys, Bad Brains, and Minor Threat, then you should definatly give this CD a look. This CD is about 20 years old now, but it sure doesn't show it. ST's lyrics are a depressing yet energetic look at how the goverment sucks, how they feel suicidal, how it sucks to be controlled and repressed, and basically how life can really suck sometimes. The things that ST sung about in this album still apply to today. Even audio-wise this CD sounds excellent. Anyone else who listens to older punk knows how some CDs really do show the limitations of their recording studios in their time. The best songs are "Institutionalized", "I Saw Your Mommy...", "I Want More", and "Suicidal Failure".