Whereas fIREHOSE's debut, 1986's Ragin', Full On, was issued quickly
to get the new outfit off the ground (two of the three members were still
reeling from the death of their previous band's frontman, the Minutemen's
D. Boon), their sophomore effort, 1987's If'n, included more cohesive
and focused songwriting. Touring together had obviously made Watt-Hurley-Crawford
tighter as a unit, and several of their best all-time compositions reside
here. Although the debut incorporated other musical forms besides punk
and hard rock (funk, jazz, etc.), If'n was the first fIREHOSE release
to feature folk-style originals such as Crawford's "In Memory
of Elizabeth Cotton." Standouts include the album opening highway
anthem "Sometimes," the groovy '50s feel of "Honey, Please,"
the laid-back "Backroads," and the irate rockers "Anger"
and "For the Singer of R.E.M." Also featured are several Mike
Watt lead vocal spots the perennial concert favorite "Making
the Freeway" (included on the 1993 mini-album Live Totem Pole EP),
the humorous "Me & You Remembering," "Operation Solitaire,"
and the closing epic "Thunder Child."
(by Greg Prato, All
Music Guide)
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