Dag Nasty
Can I Say

THE REVIEW

Dischord: a brilliant pun worthy of Ian MacKaye's genius. The label representing Washington D.C.'s hardcore, and thus a fundamental fragment of the history and evolution of hardcore as a whole. A hearth for a long winter night, that has managed to fill my head, my ears, and my spirit, sometimes shaking it to the core... "Complete Discography" by Minor Threat, the self-titled by Rites of Spring, that of Embrace, "13 Songs" by Fugazi, the first 4 songs of "Dischord No. 101" by Bluetip are the first gems that come to mind... and now go on, close your eyes and, while your house is burning, join me in five minutes of religious and poignant silence...

"Can I Say", debut of Dag Nasty, corresponds to Dischord's number 26; an album that proved to me, once again, that, as the saying goes: if you don't have memories, she can give them to you. At this historical height- 1986- Dag Nasty is the band of Brian Baker post-Minor Threat and frontman Dave Smalley, hailing from the legendary Boston hardcore group DYS. But of DYS, only the screams remain, albeit refined in quality and reduced in quantity; combined with one of the first examples of melodic infusion on hardcore structures. The result is a masterpiece of melodic punk, where Dave, represented by the head on fire on the cover, expresses and vents anger, frustration, regrets (memorable the closing of "Thin Line") but also awareness ("Values Here"). The important thing is to express oneself, in other words, squeeze out, and Dag Nasty does this by alternating a few outbursts (primarily "Justification") with pieces at least seemingly calmer and more thoughtful: listen, in this regard, to "Circles"...which then has choruses, guys, but those choruses... and we lovers of hardcore (punk...), those choruses simply make us swoon...

And the emo question (which anyway I don't understand shit about)? Personally, I handle it this way: influenced and influential, but not belonging. At least regarding this first album, where sometimes there sneaks in what I call nostalgic flavor, the kind that only hc can give me. Then Dave will leave, Peter Cortner will arrive and the atmosphere will change, becoming softer and warmer. And anyway, from the subsequent "Wig Out at Denko's", the intro of "Safe" and "Fall" are to be enclosed in a showcase and kept there.

There's something wrong inside but I will never release my pride...