''My First Bells'' is a

compilation album A compilation album comprises Album#Tracks, tracks, which may be previously released or unreleased, usually from several separate recordings by either one Performing arts#Performers, performer or by several performers. If the recordings are from ...

by the

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, p ...

punk rock Punk rock (also known as simply punk) is a rock music genre that emerged in the mid-1970s. Rooted in 1950s rock and roll and 1960s garage rock, punk bands rejected the corporate nature of mainstream 1970s rock music. They typically produced sh ...

band

Minutemen Minutemen were members of the organized New England colonial militia companies trained in weaponry, tactics, and military strategies during the American Revolutionary War. They were known for being ready at a minute's notice, hence the name. Min ...

, released on

SST Records SST Records is an American independent record label formed in 1978 in Long Beach, California by musician Greg Ginn. The company was first founded in 1966 by Ginn at age 12 as Solid State Transmitters, a small business through which he sold elec ...

in 1985. The collection was released as a cassette and included the Minutemen's first five EPs and LPs, recorded and released between 1980 and 1983. It also included three songs released on other compilations: "9:30 May 2", "Clocks" and "Prelude". The release totaled 62 songs. It included: *''

Paranoid Time ''Paranoid Time'' is the debut EP by American hardcore punk band Minutemen (band), Minutemen. It is also the second ever release by the SST Records, SST record label, founded by Black Flag (band), Black Flag's Greg Ginn and Chuck Dukowski. The alb ...

'' EP, 1980, 7 songs *"9:30 May 2" (released on compilation ''Cracks in the Sidewalk'' in 1980) *"Clocks" (released on compilation ''Chunks'' in 1981) *''

Joy Joy is the state of being that allows one to experience feelings of intense, long-lasting happiness and contentment of life. It is closely related to, and often evoked by, well-being, success, or good fortune. Happiness, pleasure, and gratitu ...

'' EP, 1981, 3 songs *''

The Punch Line ''The Punch Line'' is the debut studio album and third overall release by American punk rock band Minutemen, and the fourth-ever release from SST Records. After their previous release, ''Paranoid Time'', sold out its 300-copy pressing, Greg Ginn ...

''LP, 1981, 18 songs *''

Bean-Spill ''Bean-Spill'' is the third extended-play single and (fourth release overall) by American hardcore punk band Minutemen, released in 1982 by Thermidor Records. Background The Minutemen's second LP, '' What Makes a Man Start Fires?'', was recorde ...

'' EP, 1982, 5 songs *"Prelude" (written by

Marc Bolan Marc Bolan ( ; born Mark Feld; 30 September 1947 – 16 September 1977) was an English guitarist, singer-songwriter and poet. He was a pioneer of the glam rock movement in the early 1970s with his band T. Rex (band), T. Rex. Bolan strongly i ...

, released on compilation ''Life is Good, So Why Not Eat Health Foods'' in 1983) *'' What Makes a Man Start Fires?'' LP, 1983, 18 songs *''

Buzz or Howl Under the Influence of Heat ''Buzz or Howl Under the Influence of Heat'' is the fourth EP (and sixth overall release) by American hardcore punk band Minutemen, released by SST Records in November 1983. The EP is noted for featuring tracks with greater depth and more conven ...

'' EP, 1983, 8 songs

Reception

John Dougan called the album "A superb collection." Critic

Ira Robbins Ira Robbins may refer to: * Ira Robbins, editor and publisher of '' Trouser Press'' * Ira Robbins, President and CEO of Valley Bank * Ira P. Robbins, legal scholar and professor of law specializing in criminal law {{disambig ...

called it "essential." Jon Pareles of ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' said "Minutemen crammed telegraphic lyrics and allusions to blues, rock, Captain Beefheart and jazz into songs that generally lasted less than two minutes each" while saying the songs have "bite" and "virtuosity."

References

Minutemen (band) albums 1985 compilation albums SST Records compilation albums {{1980s-punk-album-stub