''My First Bells'' is a compilation album 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, ...

punk rock 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. Mi ...

, 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 formed in 1966 by Ginn at age 12 as Solid State Tuners, a small business through which he sold electronics equip ...

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 first EP by American hardcore punk band Minutemen. It is also the second ever release by the SST record label, founded by Black Flag's Greg Ginn and Chuck Dukowski. The album cover is a drawing by the American artist Raym ...

'' 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 The word joy refers to the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune, and is typically associated with feelings of intense, long lasting happiness. Dictionary definitions Dictionary definitions of joy typically include a sense of ...

'' EP, 1981, 3 songs *''

The Punch Line ''The Punch Line'' is the first 12-inch 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, ...

''LP, 1981, 18 songs *''

Bean-Spill ''Bean-Spill'' is the third extended-play single and fourth release overall by American hardcore punk band Minutemen. Background The Minutemen's second LP, '' What Makes a Man Start Fires?'', was recorded in the summer of 1982 but the release w ...

'' 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 and songwriter. He was a pioneer of the glam rock movement in the early 1970s with his band T. Rex. Bolan was posthumously inducted into ...

, released on compilation ''Life is Good, So Why Not Eat Health Foods'' in 1983) *''

What Makes a Man Start Fires? ''What Makes a Man Start Fires?'' is the second full-length album and fifth release overall by American punk rock band Minutemen. Background At almost twice the length of their previous album, ''The Punch Line'', the Minutemen's songs began surp ...

'' LP, 1983, 18 songs *''

Buzz or Howl Under the Influence of Heat ''Buzz or Howl Under the Influence of Heat'' is the sixth overall release (fourth extended play, or EP, release and their first 12-inch EP) from American hardcore punk band Minutemen. It was released by SST Records in 1983. It is noted for feat ...

'' EP, 1983, 8 songs

Reception

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

Ira Robbins ''Trouser Press'' was a rock and roll magazine started in New York in 1974 as a mimeographed fanzine by editor/ publisher Ira Robbins, fellow fan of the Who Dave Schulps and Karen Rose under the name "Trans-Oceanic Trouser Press" (a reference t ...

called it "essential." Jon Pareles of ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...

'' 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