Government Issue – GI 5

The good people over Dr. Strange records in Alta Loma have had the pleasure and privilege of re-releasing the back catalog of D.C. legends Government Issue’ on vinyl over the last few years. We have just received their fifth installment, the self titled 5th release commonly known as GI 5, and what a treat it is. Unlike previous pressings on vinyl which are next to impossible to find at a decent price, this release is fully re-mastered and includes bonus tracks which aren’t available on any other release including the more common CD format. The LP also contains a liner notes describing the circumstances surrounding the albums production and inner band turmoil that erupted before the albums completion.

As for the music itself it’s great and sounding better than ever without being polished up beyond recognition. The people in charge of the mixing and mastering did this album justice and fans of it before are bound to take a few more listens this time around with more satisfaction than previously remembered. The late 80’s post hardcore sound is completely showcased here in a fashion similar to the experimental styling of later TSOL. Alternative college radio stations must have played songs off this album to death which likely isolated some of their earlier crowd, but this album still has the balls to get the testosterone crowd moving on the dance floor. Since this is an album that Government Issue fans are likely fans of already, for the new listener - do yourself a favor and pick up this record, you will love it, plus you’ll be supporting a great record label responsible for keeping the Punk tradition alive.
 

 

-Louie Bones-
Big Wheel Staff Journalist
 

 

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