#Double Nickels on the Dime

[jt1674]

[therivershit]

Uncropped "Double Nickels on the Dime" cover photo by Dirk Vandenberg, released July 3, 1984, SST 028

[sowhatifiliveinfukuoka]

Minutemen

Double Nickels On The Dime (1984)

[napunk-history]

Minutemen

Double Nickels On The Dime (1984)

[gregorygalloway]

The Minutemen's 3rd studio album was released on 3 July 1984.

The band had recorded an album's worth of material in the fall of 1983, but after hearing advanced recordings of labelmates Hüsker Dü's double album Zen Arcade (which would be released on 1 July 1984), the Minutemen decided to also record a double album's worth of music (writing "Take that Hüskers!" in the liner notes).

Double Nickels on the Dime, with 45 songs over almost an hour of music (the vinyl release is the only version that contains all songs), was both a commercial and critical success. It has been cited as one of the best albums of the 1980s (Paste, Pitchfork, Slant magazine), one of the best hardcore/punk albums of all time (LA Weekly, Revolver, Spin), and one of the best albums of all time (Blender, Rolling Stone, Spin).

[kosmik-signals]

Shit from an Old Notebook

[clear-ear]

Minutemen - Double Nickels on the Dime (1984)

Length: 1:14:19

Genre: post-punk, art punk, post-hardcore, funk rock, punk blues

Energetic punk rock from legendary California band Minutemen. Double Nickels on the Dime delivers its listeners to a seaside San Pedro punk show, with leadsingers D. Boon and Mike Watt as their hosts. Youthful, lively, and raw, Double Nickels on the Dime is a classic in the post-punk scene and likely one of its greatest albums of all time.

The album is overtly political, with references to the Vietnam war in Viet Nam, the threat of proletarian revolution in Theatre Is the Life of You, and the great divide between the West and the Communist bloc in West Germany. The theme is simple: get fired up about the system, but enjoy the party while it lasts. While I liked nearly every song, I did not like the song You Need the Glory - it sticks out like the sorest thumb in the middle of the otherwise perfect album. My favorite song on this is Viet Nam for its puncturing lyrics and explosive feel.

Links: YouTube | Spotify

[rastronomicals]

10:19 AM EDT April 23, 2025:

Minutemen - "Maybe Partying Will Help" From the album Double Nickels on the Dime (July 1984)

Last song scrobbled from iTunes at Last.fm

File under: dboonrock

[the-jonestown-holotape]

D. Boon, Mike Watt & George Hurley of Minutemen

[mudwerks]

(via Minutemen - This Ain't No Picnic (1984)

[rustbeltjessie]

Album ask:

Either Double Nickels On The Dime by Minutemen or Soon Come Happy by Soulside

Doin' Double Nickels just cuz I'm more familiar with that album. (Although I think I'm going to have to give a listen to Soon Come Happy again soon; it has been too long.)

the first song from this album I heard: "Political Song for Michael Jackson to Sing." (I think—it was a long time ago—but if I recall correctly, the ex who introduced me to that album put that song on a mix tape before I'd heard any other tracks from it.) do I own the album?: yep! my favorite song: This is difficult, cuz there're like 1 million tracks on it, but...shit, it's "History Lesson Pt. 2," of course. my least favorite song: can't think of one a song I didn’t like at first, but now do: "Take 5, D." a song I used to like, but now don’t: can't think of one my favorite lyric: Punk rock changed our lives (from "History Lesson," natch; honestly the entirety of the lyrics to that song are perfect.) overall rating out of 10: 9.5

[sowhatifiliveinfukuoka]

Minutemen

Double Nickels On The Dime (1984)

[spilladabalia]

Minutemen - This Ain't No Picnic

[overton-defenestration]

Is this “the practice we inherit”?

"How to use a Grappling Hook Arrow"

Wake up Babe, new Ranger Subclass just dropped!

Patreon - Youtube

[paranoidandroidofficial]

First Impressions: Double Nickels on the Dime by Minutemen

CW: this is an 80s punk album, so expect me to mention some of the politics of the time when they become relevant to the music.

This is an album that I discovered from the RYM top 10 of Post-Hardcore (I'll eventually make full-fledged reviews of all 10 albums on there), and upon further listening... I'd argue it's less Post-hardcore, and more just experimental hardcore punk. Is it still good? Yes. You might not have given me the sandwich I ordered, but it's still just as good.

First of all, the songs are incredibly short. The Album is 76 minutes (I listened to the version on Spotify, not the 1987 CD or the original Vinyl), and it has 43 songs, which is absurd. Of course, with a tracklist that big, a lot of songs tend to blend together and become forgettable, but usually, the big focus is on the full picture.

But not here, because as a full project, I don't sense much of a big picture. I guess it's kind of a case of "too late to get it", but really, that's my big issue with a lot of traditional punk; if you can't understand the politics or the situations of the time, you're not gonna understand the songs at all.

The songs are mostly focused on the lyrics, but the music itself is actually very impressive. I found myself drawn to the guitar work, the rhythm, and even the bass lines. These songs are pretty unique for their time, sounding simple on the surface, but with many little things that make it more intricate. It's cool, and I have mad respect for it.

The lyrics, however, are a mix of standard punk fare (political stuff, yellin about the government and all that), and... just whatever the guys felt like writing at any given moment. It's a fun album, and while I did say that it didn't feel like Post-Hardcore... I can see how it inspired future Post-Hardcore acts.

The big issue with the album is that it drags for too long. It's 76 minutes, and most of it is kinda... forgettable. And with how many songs there are, I think that they could've cut at least a couple of them from the tracklist. Especially the covers, they can just be easily cut to save time.

But the album was a fun time, and it's still good! Critically, I'd give it a 7. There are unique ideas here, and I won't deny that... but the whole thing is too long, and the album has forgettable songs on it (but then again... there are 43 songs... so that's kind of a given).

Personally... I think it's a strong 7, bordering on featherweight 8. The length and the big list of forgettable songs keep me from giving it yet another 8, but I can appreciate that this album can just let loose and be fun. Also, this album kinda has an identity for itself, and being honest here, that's not something I hear a ton in hardcore punk.

This isn't a comparison in terms of quality, but I feel like this album has a few ties to Television's Marquee Moon (even if Marquee Moon is leagues better). It kinda helped start a subgenre of punk (In MM's case, Post-Punk [along with Joy Division], and in DNotD's case, Post-Hardcore [along with a few other bands]), it's got a distinct identity in their respective subgenres, and they're both very creative.

But Marquee Moon is a 9 because it's not only an emotional ride, but I remember almost every song. Here... while I respect it, I think it's just a fun album. I'm not gonna return to the full thing anytime soon, but I'll check it out again (through my giant-ass shuffle playlist).