fIREHOSE - If'n LP

Some of the best fIREHOSE songs of all time appear here, including "Honey Please", "Making the Freeway", and the deadpan delivery of "For the Singer of R.E.M.". The trio seems like they had felt each other out (or, more accurately, Hurley and Watt were much more familiar with Crawford). As always, Hurley and Watt form such an impressive rhythm section.

But unlike the Minutemen, who seemed to push musical envelopes simply by waking up in the morning, fIREHOSE began coming across like a very talented band writing good songs, but never come close to defying expectations. Remove the Minutemen comparison, and the band instantly is more impressive due to good songs and excellent musicianship.

Regardless of the inevitable Minutemen comparisons, If'n stands up as a rather fine record in its own right.