Circle Jerks
Wild In The Streets

THE REVIEW

In the '80s hardcore scene, Circle Jerks certainly didn't play the role of "coachmen," and not because they were irrelevant in the genre's development; on the contrary, their debut LP, Group Sex, stands alongside the likes of "(GI)," "Damaged," and "Fresh Fruit..." released in those years. The relevant fact about the Californian band is that after their explosive debut, they never quite managed to replicate that success. This is evident starting with "Wild In The Streets", released two years after their debut (1982).

The feeling that something has changed is already noticeable from a small detail: a full 25 minutes spread over 14 tracks, unlike the ONLY 15 minutes of the previous one with a similar number of tracks. This feeling is confirmed by the opening trio (title track, "Leave Me Alone," "Stars and Stripes"): my god, what monotony! It's almost inevitable to compare it with Group Sex; one can't help but notice a substantially different rhythm, a drum-bass-guitar complex lacking in bite and unable to dictate the pace, and a lackluster vocal performance by Keith Morris, who seems to be proceeding with the handbrake on. No more lightning-fast tempo changes, no more outbursts barely scratching a minute, and even that raw, dirty sound that pairs so well with hardcore is less noticeable. Further on, something changes, and it seems to return a bit to the glory days of the past with those frequent stop-and-go moments ("Meet The Press"), but it's just a flash in the pan; with a bass line, "Trapped" begins, which seems ready to explode at any moment with Morris's screams and the drums and guitar echoing him, but it returns to the usual bland rhythm. No other significant episodes, just a track hinting at metal ("Murder The Disturbed") and a ballad/mockery to close, complete with background "lalalala" and Morris's slow and sweet voice, which calling forced would be an understatement, finally ending in pure hardcore, the very thing lacking in this album.

Let it be clear, for me, it's still an album that almost reaches sufficiency, but the Circle Jerks worth knowing and having are the very first ones, then it's better to steer towards the safer shores of Germs, Minor Threat, Black Flag.