This album is all kinds of brilliant! I had already listened to it a number of times in past years, and I can't remember if I found it through the 1001 Albums book or if it was recommended to me by a friend. Whatever the case, while ostensibly a 'punk' album, it covers elements of post-punk, a whole lotta funk, sonically experimental 'alt rock', blues, flamenco guitar, and various other styles. The tracks are largely under two-minutes, so if you're not entirely sold on what you're listening to... don't worry, it'll change in a moment.
Just the sheer scope of effortless musical exploration and the "throwing it at the wall and seeing what sticks" approach is admirable. I could see a number of later bands (including the early music from the Red Hot Chili Peppers) being heavily influenced by this band and this album.
Minutemen made an impressive amount of sound for just 3 people. The precise and funky bass of Mike Watt is brilliant. Sadly, singer/guitarist D Boon died a year later, and the Minutemen died with him. Mike Watt went on to have a varied and interesting musical career off and on over the following decades.
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