A Purchase of Minor Significance

Minor Threat’s First Demo Tape is as titled: their first recording, made at a small house in Arlington, Virginia in 1981. For most people this album should pose little interest unless you are especially curious of the roots of the band, or if you think it might make a good collector’s item. For the determined MT fan however, the album is well-mixed and the demo songs are actually quite good – played a little slower then their popular versions with the vocals more pronounced. If you’re unfamiliar with MT, they are a part of the early 80’s punk trend with trademark fast, sharp vocals and grungy guitar rhythms, followed by equally fast and simple drumming. The 8 not-so-previously-unreleased tracks run 9 minutes in length and sadly – at its price in most record stores – isn’t really worth the effort since these tracks are already included in MT’s Complete Discography (which was recently re-mastered). The Demo Tape includes no special incentives such as album art, history, backstage stories, or significant photos, making this short – although good demo – better suited as a tack-on to another album, or as something more ‘collectable’ such as a 7” or part of a DVD. Though it pains me to say it, I would give this album a miss at record stores, but recommend it for listening if you otherwise come across it.