What Makes A Man Start Fires

Personnel: D. Boon (vocals, guitar); Mike Watt (vocals); Joe Baiza (guitar); George Hurley (drums). Audio Mixer: Spot. Recording information: Music Lab Studios, Hollywood, CA. On their second full-length release, the Minutemen didn't stray too far from their original formula. The trio still deals in short, intensely played mini-songs here, although most of the 18 tracks last a minute or longer--roughly twice the average duration of songs on 1981's THE PUNCH LINE. Recorded over a year later, WHAT MAKES A MAN START FIRES has a couple of guitar overdubs, but the Minutemen maintain their stripped-down, unadorned sound and trademark gruff passion. In a typical song, Boon's scrappy guitar playing and passionate vocal invective sit atop percolating funk rhythms. Despite his limited range, Boon gets by as lead singer through his sheer intensity. His lyrics occasionally turn inscrutable, but Boon makes sure his most emphatic messages come through. This is rock broken down to its barest essentials: vocals, bass, drums, lots of passion. Songs teeter on the edge then barrel forward; they start and end abruptly, and the intensity never lets up.