Fugazi
13 Songs

THE REVIEW

"13 Songs" is the first album by the American band Fugazi, a name derived from a phrase often used by American military: "Fucked Up, Got Ambushed, Zipped In." The Washington-based band is a key reference point for the musical scene of the eastern United States and the entire punk-rock movement of the 90s.

Fugazi was founded by Ian MacKaye, who was part of the band Minor Threat, in 1987. Alongside singer-guitarist MacKaye, the lineup includes Guy Picciotto on guitar and vocals, Joe Lally on bass, and Brendan Canty on drums. The group combines MacKaye's experience and intelligence with the skill and creativity of Lally and Canty and the musical flair of Guy Picciotto, resulting in a sound that is strong, hard, raw, and tinged with melodies that make it unique and direct. Fugazi is a band that best expresses the hardcore of Minor Threat, the punk of the late '80s, and indie rock; they are indeed considered a post-hardcore punk band of which they are pioneers. Their first album showcases their best intentions and some masterpieces from their vast repertoire, which would later inspire many punk bands and beyond. "13 Songs" begins with the sensational "Waiting Room," a signature song for this band and partly for the musical scene of that period; the initial bass line is one of the best in the album, almost funk-like: stunning in its catchiness and pounding along with the drums, forming a syncopated rhythm that introduces the band's trademark muted guitar. The song continues with Ian’s powerful and hoarse voice, exploding in the final frenzy, echoed by Guy Picciotto, who takes over the second track "Bulldog Front," where a dark atmosphere and significant sound wall are created, thanks to powerful Fugazi-style guitar riffs, confirming Ian and the band's hardcore power in the finale.

The third track "Bad Mouth," which I find very beautiful in its simplicity, is led by the excellent Ian, who, after a purely rock introduction, almost recites a nursery rhyme in the verse and, with a very powerful and fast drumming, outlines a good punk track. We continue our musical journey with "Burning," where we find a chaotic and almost infernal atmosphere with peculiar guitar riffs and Brendan Canty in top form; all serving the warm and piercing voice of Picciotto. Guy is then the protagonist of the fifth song, where, flanked by Ian's screams, he escalates the track from the clean guitar of the intro and through the interlude’s phrases; from Picciotto's second lead vocal song "Give me the Cure," we move to "Suggestion," where MacKaye takes command, always supported by the extroverted and ingenious Guy. In "Suggestion," the duration exceeds the powerful and edgy two-minute masterpieces like "Waiting Room" and "Give me the Cure," yet it does not detract from the extreme energy and Fugazi punch. Notable is the remarkable work of the legendary Joe Lally on bass and the skill of Ian MacKaye both on vocals and guitar, who, with extreme speed and creativity, is capable of significant rhythm changes that set a mood evocative as the title suggests, epic Ian's scream "Why can't I walk down a street free of suggestion?" against the backdrop of Lally's initial riff.

"Glue Man" closes the first part of the album, which was originally divided into two EPs "Fugazi," the first, and "Margin Walker" the second; this is a good punk song where Picciotto yells and stirs, giving a very aggressive tone. "Margin Walker" is the eighth track: pure punk-rock, violent, fast, made with simple chords, fast drumming, another outstanding bass riff, and all the rage of the MacKaye-Picciotto duo, a masterpiece. With "And the Same," there's a moment of calm mixed with unique guitar moments and a good singing influenced by Sonic Youth. "Burning Too" expresses the anger and violence of the individual in today's society, "We are consumed by society," thanks to Ian's mighty voice and a good guitar with lots of palm muting as in almost all the songs on the CD. Both "Provisional" and "Lockdown" are sung by Picciotto alone, the first more reflective and melodic, the second fast with a rawer sound, both representing decent post-hardcore work. The album "13 Songs" ends with a final masterpiece, the beautiful "Promises," showing another stunningly atmospheric surreal and creative side. Spectacular Ian MacKaye's voice and guitar in this track, as well as Lally’s bass and Canty's drums, which mark an initial drama that then gives way to well-paced verses with hallucinogenic interludes. "Promises are shit" at the beginning and "Promises Promises Promises words" shouted at the end sum up the rage, culture, and power of this American band.

"13 Songs" is ultimately a remarkable album for a debut album, also representing an important work of what was hardcore and the indie punk/rock culture in general. The band has always been consistent and aligned with its principles and mentality: a crucial element is the absolute "DIY" (Do It Yourself), expressed in complete independence from any commercial circuit. The group’s policy has always been not to do merchandise, self-produce, play in places like free, public spaces, and keep the live and album prices very low and accessible to everyone. What can I say, an exceptional album, truly strong, original, and loaded like a ticking time bomb... so get it along with the subsequent ones because it is really worth it very much indeed.