Suicidal Tendencies Albums (13)
'Free Your Soul and Save My Mind'
Release Date 7/25/2000
Tracks 15
Label Suicidal
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What The Critics Say
On Free Your Soul and Save My Mind, Suicidal Tendencies' umpteenth studio release, the band revitalizes their moribund skater punk sound. After a series of disappointing full- and partial-length albums, this effort hits the mark in most respects. Once again, they sound like accomplished musicians, rattling off funky riffs and spirited three- to four-minute bursts of punk. "No More, No Less" sparkles with the bifurcated bass and guitar lines of Robert Trujillo and Mike Clark. "Children of the Bored" features some of the heaviest sections Suicidal Tendencies have ever recorded. The album's zenith is "Start Your Brain," a powerful old-timer punk tune with seriously wigged-out distortion techniques. The end result is refreshing and hard-driven, albeit mildly anachronistic. The only drawback of this release is frontman Mike Muir's continued writer's block. His lyrics remain repetitious and uninventive: a shadow of his former self. However, in most instances, the quality of the music makes up for it. ~ Kieran McCarthy, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This compilation was originally released in 1992 and contains many highlights from the Suicidal Tendencies' oeuvre up to that point in time. The pride of Venice, CA, had released a string of wildly successful (for their genre) recordings up to that point, and it must have seemed like a good time to try encapsulating all the music from the Caroline/Epitaph/Epic years. Standout cuts include "Suicidal Failure" and "Suicide's an Alternative/You'll Be Sorry" from the Mike Muir-led outfit's debut and "Trip at the Brain" from the band's classic How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today. Later re-released on EMI in 2000, this collection sounds vibrant and alive, and should be given more than casual consideration by any casual Suicidal Tendencies fan -- that is, if a casual fan of the band exists. Hardcore fans should, and probably do, have all the studio releases that were picked through to compile FNG, so they need not bother with the record, but this release is still a fine listen on its own merits. ~ Vincent Jeffries, All Music Guide
'Suicidal for Life'
Release Date 6/7/1994
Tracks 13
Label Sony Music Distribution
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What The Critics Say
After the moderate success of Suicidal Tendencies' 1992 LP, The Art of Rebellion, the Venice-based quartet decided to ditch the ballads and return to their patented rebellious thrash. With Suicidal for Life, their follow-up album, they probably hoped for a return to underground credibility. But this album did little to retrieve credibility, and a lot to lose their growing fanbase. There's no debating, Suicidal for Life, was not well received by their label. Even by Suicidal Tendencies' standards, it's downright profane. Unfortunately, it's also not quite as effective. Unlike their earlier work, this collection exhibits little that could be considered revolutionary. Unless you consider foul-mouthed, posturing funk-thrash subversive. Gone is the social criticism of Lights…Camera…Revolution, only to be replaced by self-absorbed tracks like Don't Give a Fuck and No Fuck'n Problem. This was especially disappointing, because lead vocalist Mike Muir has many times proven himself as one of the most clever lyricists in the heavy metal genre. When separated from the lyrics, though, Suicidal for Life isn't a bad album. The guitar solos are terse and pertinent, and the tempo and energy support the intensity of Muir's vocals. It's an effective delivery, as the group's technical capabilities--which, in general, far exceed most comparable skater-punk bands--are placed on display more than on any other Suicidal Tendencies album. For a release of misdirected anger and pointless frustration, the album works fantastically. Otherwise, look up the band's earlier work. ~ Kieran McCarthy, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Fast, furious, and funny, Suicidal Tendencies' self-titled debut owed much more to hardcore punk than to the later hardcore/heavy metal hybrid they would become known for, but it's still quite possibly their best album. Mike Muir proves himself an articulate lyricist and commentator, delving into subjects like alienation, depression, and nonconformist politics with intelligence and humor. The band behind him is aggressive and speedy, but never sinks into an overly fast sonic blur. Contains the classic rant "Institutionalized." ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
'Still Cyco After All These Years'
Release Date 6/15/1993
Tracks 15
Label Epic
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What The Critics Say
When Suicidal Tendencies formed in Venice in 1982, they ravaged southern California with a completely unique brand of visceral street punk rage. The original latino hardcore band, their 1983 self-titled debut was magnificently well-rounded, complete with hilarious, poignant lyrics, excellent songwriting, and fantastic musicianship. Mike Muir and the band articulated teenage angst as clearly as anyone before or since, creating a definitive album for the ages. Fast-forward 10 years. It's 1993, and the boys are the owners of two gold records. By all accounts, they're talented, successful musicians. And so they decide to re-record their original breakthrough album, track-by-track, along with three new songs. And, after listening to the new album Still Cyco After All These Years, Suicidal Tendencies fans might be inclined to wonder why. It's not as if they didn't do it right the first time. And the three new tracks are barely good enough to be considered filler. The remade songs sound cleaner, more even-tempered, and the guitar solos stick out as slightly more lavish. But what good does that do when you've lost the genuine frustration and anger that inspired the original material? These songs deal almost exclusively with teenage issues. The well-known track, "Institutionalized", satirizes parents who don't listen to their children. When Mike Muir's voice cracked during the original chorus, it fit perfectly within the context of the song. The new version sounds comparatively slick. And, coming from a 28-year-old rock star, it just doesn't seem quite as authentic. That's basically the problem with the album as a whole. Without question, it's great music. But if you want to hear it what makes it so spectacular, you'd be better off opting for the originals. ~ Kieran McCarthy, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
On the group's earliest albums, vocalist Mike Muir specialized in intense, angst-ridden rants, harrowing but one-dimensional. He has since developed into a rock-solid vocalist, his voice a powerful and fluid instrument. Muir still delivers emotionally ferocious spoken-word segments on "Nobody Hears" and "I Wasn't Meant to Hear This," but the trademark is woven into good songs rather than being an end onto itself. A clenched fist in a velvet glove -- or is it an open hand in chain mail? -- whichever, The Art of Rebellion packs a punch that should win over new devotees while maintaining the group's hardcore following. ~ Roch Parisien, All Music Guide
'Lights...Camera...Revolution!'
Release Date 6/15/1990
Tracks 10
Label Epic
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What The Critics Say
After recording some definite gems in the late '80s, Suicidal Tendencies triumphantly entered the '90s with one of its best albums ever, the commanding Lights...Camera...Revolution! Not since the mid-'80s had the L.A. band sounded this confident, focused and inspired. "You Can't Bring Me Down" and the Motörhead-ish "Get Whacked" demonstrate just how much fun Suicidal can be, but most of all, the metal-oriented album is dark, angry, and troubling. The Angelenos already commanded an incredibly devoted following, and powerful offerings like "Send Me Money" (a gut-level, brutally honest attack on television evangelists), "Give It Revolution," and the dark-humored "Disco's Out, Murder's In" brought even more listeners aboard. This is a disc that no Suicidal fan should be without. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
'Feel Like Shit Deja Vu Controlled by Hatred'
Release Date 9/20/1989
Tracks 9
Label Columbia
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