Sadly, the legendary Punk band that was Black Flag was coming to an end, and they were aware of that at the time. In fact, guitarist Greg Ginn had intended to make this album his first solo album, although other legal matters likely meant this was not the case. Black Flag also finished their musical transition from straight-ahead Hardcore Punk to a newer form of Heavy Metal with this album release. The result of all this chaos? Positive reviews and a strong case for sales in retrospect, although the latter was never really achieved long-term by Black Flag. Regardless, this album needs to be reviewed here. Recorded at Total Access Recording Studios in California and released on 1 October 1985, this album spans over 47 minutes and comprises 12 songs. In addition, the album was produced by Greg Ginn, Bill Stevenson and David Tarling. Black Flag at this point were: Henry Rollins (vocals); Greg Ginn (guitars); Kira Roessler (bass guitar and background vocals); Bill Stevenson (drums). The album artwork, subject of controversy, was done by Raymond Pettibon. Let’s take a listen to this album, and we shall hear what we have got.

1. Paralyzed begins with an edited scream, stating “Yeah!” before launching into an interesting song with some direct lyrics, loud guitars and powerhouse drums. This could have been better mixed (the vocals are drowned out here), but overall, this is an okay tune to listen to. In any case, this is a decent opening track for Black Flag. It sounds different. This does sound really very well done and energetic, even though this definitely could have been mixed better, again. All the same, this tune has a unique and wonderful character throughout. A short sub three sub-three-minute rush of energy that sounds awesome. Good to hear, although it may seem dated to many. The screams at the end are phenomenally cool.

2. The Crazy Girl is a weird tune from the start. Great to hear, but this mix is appalling. It does not reach the heights of earlier releases, such as My War or even Slip It In (both released in 1984). Sadly, this is eventually a difficult listen. The music itself is okay, but the mix sounds plastic and ruins the potential of this album going to huge heights. Fortunately, Kurt Cobain paid attention and opted for good mixers on the Nirvana albums, for the most part. The music is discordant and weird as well. Alternative Rock-styled music has done much better than this, before and since. Still, this song is only okay. Just not phenomenal listening. Disappointing and a repetitive song for no real reason as well

3. Black Love begins with more of the same, and sounds dreadful, both musically and audibly. If you really want a great Punk album, look elsewhere. This is sludgy and poorly mixed nonsense that anyone with a below-average IQ could make. Even the likes of Pop garbage in the 21st century is far better than this. Hit stop, and go and put on The Beatles instead if you want decent music with a historical purpose and difference. The guitar soloing is absolutely poor, and this needs some serious editing and rethinking. Junk music for a niche audience. Most people can happily avoid this, and listening to this album is seriously not recommended. Avoid like the plague. Just no good.

4. White Hot sounds a little better, but is still very, very awful. Cringe as you listen to the music on this album. Although this is worth testing your ears if you want to hear bad music, one can put on the Sex Pistols Never Mind The Bollocks (1977) instead and compare the quality difference in music terms, if you want to hear Punk Music. The screams and awful guitars do zero justice to one’s ears. Not good. Yes, the Dead Kennedys were, for the most part, a much better band than Black Flag. Avoid, avoid and avoid. This music is absolutely terrible listening. A garage band today could make better music than this sludgy, discordant junk. The screaming doesn’t help, either. Take your copy of this album, and chuck it out of the nearest window. This is so bad from a band willing to destroy its musical reputation in a career exit. This is five minutes of your life wasted away. Very pathetic and just not good enough. A lack of originality and innovation. You don’t need to hear this at all. John Lennon would be rolling in his grave with this release. A really bad tune. Do not listen to this song.

5. In My Head is very slightly better. But only a little bit. It is more of the most tuneless, awful and unoriginal music that does not need to be heard. The likes of Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd blow this away, being almost the complete opposite of this album. That says something. There is absolutely nothing rewarding about this album. It is shockingly bad and not worth a listen in any way, shape or form. This album is an exercise in poor, discordant and sludgy sounds. The Velvet Underground did weird better than this. A shameful and unnecessary listen. You have been warned, do not listen to this pathetic release. Most DJ mix compilations, although potentially garbage as well, are a million miles better than this. This is the sound of Black Flag shooting themselves in the foot. One of the worst albums ever made so far, run in the opposite direction if you ever dare to listen to this. A bad listen.

6. Out Of This World begins with more awful guitar parts, and pick scraping that sounds bad. Again, skip ahead or stop altogether. Pounding drums enter into this joke of a song. It’s not even worth a listen, and sounds like Black Flag failing all listeners out there. If you want a real 1980s album of substance, check out Van Halen instead. This is just drivel set to a song. Just no. Even the short song length doesn’t mean much when this album is this bad. Pathetic to listen to.

7. I Can See You has more of the same. It is a completely exhausting and bad listening experience. No, this is not the classic album that you are looking for. There is very much nothing at all worth listening to here. The lyrics are awful, as is the music. One can guess that this is music for fentanyl users. This is horrible, and you have been warned. Do not listen to this. One of the worst albums of all time. Who paid the music critics of the era to give this a good rating? It makes no sense how. If you love Punk, check out blink-182 instead. This music is junk food music, just like the worst of McDonald’s. Ditch this out of your life and ears. You will be happier afterwards.

8. Drinking and Driving is a better song. It has some pounding drums and gargantuan riffs to boot, and is honestly good to hear. This music is still half-baked, having said all that. This is a rare listen from this album that is a standout. Of course, it is about drink driving and is satire. Even so, this album is seriously not recommended for many of you out there. All in all, this music is trashy for what it is. The guitar solo is warped, discordant and poor. For one of the worst Black Flag albums, and worst albums of all time, this music does have its moments. Thankfully, Black Flag disbanded after this album. You can hear exactly why this music is shamefully bad. This song is passable, even if the rest of the album is not. A predictably bad listen.

9. Retired at 21 is what the rich tech millionaires who inherit loads of money are exactly at that age and stage of life, or welfare cheats, for the matter. This has some heavy and predictable guitar part progressions, and is a surprisingly better song than expected. Still, this is on a very appalling album that does not have a shred of longevity or music consistency throughout it all. This song is just more of the same, and although not absolutely awful, it still could be a lot better. In any case, this enters into a weird breakdown that, quite honestly, does not sound brilliant. This music isn’t very impressive, even for its better moments. Case in point, this tune from this album. A sort of listening that just doesn’t make sense at all. There is a palm-muted section in the second half, which is trash. This music still does not need to be heard. Sure, this is a better moment from this album, but it does not let the rest of the album shine. It is also too long and boring to be truly appreciated. An okay moment from an abysmal album. However, fairly predictable listening throughout. This is not an album worth your time, even with this better moment.

10. Society’s Tease begins with some wannabe Joy Division-style riffs, but heavier than them and unnecessarily repetitive as well. It goes into a tune that attempts to rival other Punk bands, and sounds ordinary as a result of its lack of direction and repetition throughout. There is no way that one should seriously listen to this album, and this poor tune reinstates this fact. The guitar solos are very awful, and this music will put you off Punk of any sort long term. Did King Crimson did not need to use screaming or awful musicianship to make a point? No. This is absurdly poor, and good riddance to this album. It is truly difficult to listen. If you value consistency and melodicism, you may as well look elsewhere. This is some of the most dumbed-down and terrible music ever made. It is worse than the worst of postmodern Rap Music, seriously. That includes Kanye West’s recent efforts. Just eject this album from your existence. This is absolutely awful to listen to. No magic mojo, just Henry Rollins rambling stupid and nonsensical words in a six-minute-long piece of music. A real disappointment overall. This is exactly what you should never listen to this album or most of Black Flag’s material. Poor. A hijacking of the Punk movement for destruction in an album by Black Flag? Yep. Terrible from start to finish.

11. It’s All Up To You begins with a basic drumbeat, awful guitars and the sound of Black Flag destroying their career, set to music. Again, this is way too long to be considered good as well. With references to mental health issues and other horrid experiences, this is not what the Doctor ordered or needed, for the matter. This music is definitely worthless. Coldplay, even in their worst moments, were way better than this album. That says a lot. Fans of the 1960s in particular will hate this album, as will most listeners today. At least the My War (1984) album was a good musical statement. This, most definitely, is not. A sad and detritus tune and album. The guitar solo is appalling. Even a novice guitarist just starting out is better than this. Just not good. Again, you have been warned. A mistake to listen to and just a poor experiment in music history. If you have bought this CD, just toss it away. Your ears will thank you. The outro is horrific. It fades out after what seems like an eternity

12. You Let Me Down is the last song, thank goodness. It is absolutely terrible, the worst of all Black Flag songs on this album, and likely the worst ever made in their career. It is so bad that it cements this album as one of the worst albums ever made. It is a terrible piece of music. If you have reached this far listening to it all, you truly have some patience within you. No other band could get away with this song, which sounds like a cat being strangled. Nonetheless, Black Flag knew that they were done by this point. This song reflects that. A shockingly bad piece that stinks. Goodness knows what these guys were thinking. Go and listen to The Incredible String Band for something good instead. This is music for those of you who have no ears. Terrible.

This is one of the worst albums ever made. It has no musical value at all. Upon hearing the first track, you will agree. It is a really poor example of a once great band saying, “Stuff it, the music does not matter anymore, let’s just put out an album for a few bucks, if we can even though we aren’t top of the pops”. Many other recommendations that are completely different from this can be made. Just don’t even try to listen to this album.

Save your ears, avoid like the plague.

0/10