My First Bells

My First Bells is a compilation album by the American punk rock band Minutemen, released on SST Records in 1985.^[2]

My First Bells
Compilation album by The Minutemen
Released	1985
Recorded	1980–1983
Genre	Alternative rock, hardcore punk, post-punk
Label	SST (032)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]

The collection was released as a cassette and included the Minutemen's first five EPs and LPs, recorded and released between 1980 and 1983.^[3] It also included three songs released on other compilations: "9:30 May 2", "Clocks" and "Prelude".

The release totaled 62 songs.^[4] It included:

• Paranoid Time EP, 1980, 7 songs
• "9:30 May 2" (released on compilation Cracks in the Sidewalk in 1980)
• "Clocks" (released on compilation Chunks in 1981)
• Joy EP, 1981, 3 songs
• The Punch Line LP, 1981, 18 songs
• Bean-Spill EP, 1982, 5 songs
• "Prelude" (written by Marc Bolan, released on compilation Life is Good, So Why Not Eat Health Foods in 1983)
• What Makes a Man Start Fires? LP, 1983, 18 songs
• Buzz or Howl Under the Influence of Heat EP, 1983, 8 songs

Reception

John Dougan called the album "A superb collection."^[1] Critic Ira Robbins called it "essential."^[2] Jon Pareles of The New York Times said "Minutemen crammed telegraphic lyrics and allusions to blues, rock, Captain Beefheart and jazz into songs that generally lasted less than two minutes each" while saying the songs have "bite" and "virtuosity."^[5]

References

1. Dougan, John. "My First Bells: 1980-1983". AllMusic. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
2. Robbins, Ira. "TrouserPress.com :: Minutemen". Trouser Press. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
3. Bogdanov, Vladimir; Woodstra, Chris; Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (October 13, 2002). All Music Guide to Rock: The Definitive Guide to Rock, Pop, and Soul. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9780879306533 – via Google Books.
4. Thompson, Dave (October 13, 2000). Alternative Rock. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9780879306076 – via Google Books.
5. Pareles, Jon (October 25, 1985). "Top Rockers Are in Town, Swinging Back to Basics". The New York Times. Retrieved March 14, 2020.