Blazing, roaring, and not sparing women and children. Less dynamic, but perhaps more exciting than their previous, Identity. A tremendous, exhausting punk/post-punk record for anyone who thinks they can stand it. Blessed with considerable finesse to match their monstrous chops, these guys were pure songwriters and heirs to the amazing D.C. scene, influenced by masters from the Ruts/Stiff Little Fingers golden era of musicianship. More importantly, Double Image remains a prime example of the fantastic second-phase D.C. punk scene, actually greatly superior to the more famous but too fast early-'80s Capital hardcore days. This more evolved scene was kicked off by Minor Threat's more reasonable tempos on their farewell Out of Step EP, and that fabulous cue led to more mature, more melodic, more interesting, but still powerful, new Dischord groups like the (later) Government Issue, 3, Embrace, Gray Matter, mid-period Scream, the Egg Hunt project, and Rites of Spring. The 2000 reissue is welcome. Out of print since its 1985 issue on Gasatanka/Enigma (unlike its 1984 predecessor, Identity, which has long been on CD from original label Dischord), it is further enhanced by a 20-page retrospective booklet and live video clips of six songs.
© Jack Rabid /TiVo