Fugazi - In on the Kill Taker

By far the most unrelievedly aggressive of this seminal D.C. foursome's seven albums, this 1993 collection assembles all the essential elements of Fugazi's aesthetic--strafing melodic tension, dynamic shifts, and unrestrained lyrical fury--and drives them into the psyche with nary a hint of sonic subtlety. That might sound one-dimensional, but somehow Ian MacKaye and company manage to wring a full spectrum of emotional impact out of that small patch of territory. From typically vociferous political plaints ("Smallpox Champion") to decidedly personal missives designed to provoke self-examination ("Great Cop"), the songs invariably cut to the bone. The highlight? "Cassavetes," which stutters and swells with remarkable grace, paying oblique tribute to John Cassavetes, an outsider director who was to Hollywood what Fugazi is to the music industry. --David Sprague Amazon.com

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This is the first i heard of this band and probably my favorate album by Fuguzi.

The album remains loud and punky throughout. But on this thread Fuguzi strings lots of bloody matallic textures, stedy precussive noises, and all kinds of shadings and dynamics you don't normally associate with hardcore music. The album is also engeneered with a soundstage feel, as if your in the back of an empty theatre listening, so the many flurishes stand out very well.

"Kill Taker" is perfectly paced, with some great rockers to open the album, followed by complex experiments like "Rend it." The sugues always surprise and work perfectly.

Fuguzi may be a do it yourself band, but they do it themselves extremely well. June 3, 2008

Nice try... but I just can't get into it.

You know something, I've encountered many Fugazi fans who think that this is one of their best albums. But I sort of don't get it. On the surface, it should be awesome: it's got the hardcore in post-hardcore, but at the same time, I feel like it is never memorable, and that's what made stabs at it like 13 Songs and Repeater + 3 Songs much more fun to listen to and more convincing for that matter.

Is it bad? No, it's actually pretty decent. Which is probably why I still have a copy of it, in spite the fact that I like both the aforementioned records AND the later more artistic albums like Red Medicine and The Argument. The lyrics are still interesting like most Fugazi, and I guess that "Great Cop" does actually appeal to me. But it's one of those things you hear and don't feel a lot towards. Maybe it was harder to get into for being before my time, but so were three of the four that I mentioned that I like so much more than this record. It's just pretty midling when you get to how you really are with the songs. That actually makes giving a well thought out review for this album a bit harder for me than the ones that I love and a few that I really dislike.

I suppose if you want something with more energy you'll enjoy this, and it's not like I'm doing a very good job at stopping you from it either. But I look at it more skeptically than the rest of their work. Yes, the integrity is still there but I just don't find a lot in it. Or maybe I could try to give my copy to someone who does. November 25, 2007

Whoo..

This is an incredible rush of excitement and..songwriting ability..Zen like Guitars (Peaceful!) at the beginning of "Small Pox Champion" take us into the interlude between a noisy chaotic state of being to a soul deepening love for all..Quite simply they freakin rock..Poets caN see the love aNd idealism..Selena Fox is not (Nor Deena..)retarded..Repeater + 3 Songs takes us on a similar idealistic journey: Crass is as inspired to change the wOrld for the better..Share.."In OnThe Kill Taker" lets us romp througH (Delightful!) souls.."Full CIrcle" may have some validity for Fugazi listeners,the film.Or it may not,as it's misandry is evident..But Modern Pagans: an Investigation of Contemporary Ritual (Re/Search) and Occult Experience may have have value: The Latters a video.Steven Lee Beeber has an interesting take oN the punk scene in:The Heebie-Jeebies at CBGB's: A Secret History of Jewish Punkand you all must rock..Questions from Earth, Answers frOm Heaven: A Psychic Intuitive's Discussion of Life, Death, and What Awaits Us Beyondis a sexual(Love you..Kiss you..) muse..(Could:Spiritual Bathing: Healing Rituals and Traditions from Around the World) be far behind?? July 18, 2007

Great!!!

This album and "13 songs" are the best two albums by Fugazi in my opinion. If you are just starting to listen to Fugazi, buy either this one or "13 Songs." And if you like it, also check out "Tsicavo" by Braintree. July 7, 2007

One of Fugazi's best.

The one thing I love about Fugazi is that no 2 CDs from this band sound the same. Made up of members who have been in the music scene for well over a decade or two now their music is a product of those decades of influence that have not just come from the traditional ethics of independent music but from just about every form of music you can think of.

Fugazi are lucky let that be known, if a young, little known band tried to experiment as much as Fugazi have done they would never get even half the recognition that this band does but Fugazi are blessed with ex members of Minor Threat, Rites of Spring and others.

The album moves from the almost late 70s Oi punk of facet squared to the almost Stiff Little Fingers 'inflamable material' sounding Public witness program. Just when you think you know what to expect you have returning the screw that begins almsot in a wisper and ends in anger. Other songs you can hear almost funk and blues rhythm comming through, this is a band that knows its music.

I have to say I always prefer Guys vocals, there is something about his style, manic, almost chaotic. I recall on the Fugazi DVD one crowd member described Fugazi as 'controled anger' that is probably the best description you can come up with for this band.

Last chance for a slow dance is for me the track of this CD, great that they showed this entire song on the DVD. Buy this, its one of Fugazis best. May 11, 2007

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