Crass

Crass: Yes Sir, I WillYes Sir, I Will (1983)
Crass

Reviewer Rating: 3.5

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Contributed by: tittytwisterbudytittytwisterbudy
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Published on March 27th 2007Let me start off by saying that I am one of the most avid Crass supporters you will, if ever, meet; from the first time I heard "Bloody Revolutions" and "Do They Owe Us a Living?" I knew that this band was the real deal and that they were an amazing act. What I've learned since however is that they .

Let me start off by saying that I am one of the most avid Crass supporters you will, if ever, meet; from the first time I heard "Bloody Revolutions" and "Do They Owe Us a Living?" I knew that this band was the real deal and that they were an amazing act. What I've learned since however is that they were one of the first (if not the first) bands to firmly believe in what they preached and were meaningful in everything they did, which is a far cry from most so-called 'punk' acts today.

This record is unlike most recordings by bands of any genre; it is intended to be listened to on vinyl with two separate but continuous tracks, one on each side, both untitled; the CD version is split up into seven untitled tracks. The best way for me to emulate how this album sounds is, in the words of Penny Rimbaud (the drummer of Crass who wrote most of the album, extracting many of the lyrics from his poem 'Rocky Eyed'): "I accept that Yes Sir, I Will is truly one of the most unlistenable records ever made…" The importance of the album however lies within the content and message sent. As Steve Ignorant (one of the main vocalists of the group) said, "I didn't like Yes Sir, I Will at all, although I liked what it was saying." This album was written as a protest and attack album against the then-prime minister (referred to by Crass in their hit "Big A, Little A" as "Prime Sinister") Margaret Thatcher and her administration's involvement and part in the Falklands War.

I personally think that it is a decent-sounding record, especially 'tracks' 2 and 4, the former incorporating a wonderful piano and strings section provided by Paul Ellis, and the latter sounding rather parallel of earlier recordings The Feeding of the 5000 and Stations of the Crass with Ignorant pounding out the same raunchy and original voice that was one of the reasons the band became so popular off their first two releases). But whether you think the music on the album is good or listenable or not, there is no denying the message and point that was meant to be put across. I don't want to spend a bunch of time writing out the lyrics or anything because I really encourage people who are true fans of this band to go out and buy this album, and I recommend you do it on vinyl because, as the liner notes written by anonymous members of Crass on Christ: The Bootleg states, "For the lyrics to the songs featured you are strongly encouraged to seek out the original recordings that they appeared on. These are available on both vinyl and CD format. However, we suggest the vinyl format as they are far more artistically beautiful and aesthetically beautiful, appearing as they were originally released and intended."

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

SouthernLovin (February 4, 2009)

My favorite.

strangenotes (March 28, 2007)

"Do you think half the little kids who claim to worship these guys actually understand what they're saying? That's the main reason why I avoided listening to them until I was in college."

I think this is a good idea sometimes. I deliberately don't download a lot of stuff (even though I would love to hear it) because I don't want easy access to stuff and exploit it for myself.

Anonymous (March 28, 2007)

I really don't think that for someone just getting into punk they are really aware of the stereotypes around anarcho/crusty punks. I mean, I got "Feeding" at the same time as I got "Damaged" - I just thought I was buying another old punk album. At the time, I thought "Damaged" was waaay too heavy, which is funny because now when I listen to it, the guitar sound is pretty thin, and there are a surprising number of goofy songs. That digression being said, you don't really get an idea of the whole crust punk stereotype until you've really gotten in to punk music, and are forced into contact w/ rich kids with Battle of Disarm patches who panhandle outside the local punk club. Hell, I knew immediately that Crass was different than any band I had heard before, but I didn't think that listening to them was childish, or that their lyrics were ignorant...(more digression) people think that realism is abandoning idealism, and non-crusties mock them for their ideas. I happen to think that idealism isn't something that should be given up, and that being jaded and defeatist isn't cool...
-feeeding5000

ashtraymonument (March 28, 2007)

i've never listened to this album. but the lyrics are pretty fucking sweet.

theyounginfluential (March 27, 2007)

wow, really? Christ The Album is my favorite!

Anonymous (March 27, 2007)

in response to the onetruebill, i think that most people get an incorrect and negative perception of what Crass does and is about based on assumptions and stereotypes of their fanbase. i know that made me avoid them for a little while.

my ranking;
1) Stations
2) Feeding
3) Penis
4) Yes Sir
5) Christ
6) Ten Notes

im not counting "Best Before" because its an anthology collection rather than a true album. Best single is "Nagasaki Nightmare" b/w "Big A Little A."

feeeding5000 (March 27, 2007)

And if you like this, I would suggest getting "The EP's of RP" by Rudimentary Peni - I reviewed it here, but it's like my second review so it's not that great.

feeeding5000 (March 27, 2007)

Dude - I Love You. Seriously. Crass is my all-time favorite band, and I have all of their albums (minus the $30 "You'll Ruin it For Everyone' Bootleg). This one is beyond music - they had left punk and, hell, even song structure behind. The only part that sounds anything like Crass is "If There Was No Government", which I think is among their best songs. Just cause I'm an ass, here's my rankings of Crass albums
1) Penis Envy - The strongest songs, the most unified statement, and the creepiest random noise of all their albums.
2) Feeding of the 5000 - It will always have a special place in my heart, and really opened me up to bizarre punk, alt rock, and leftist politics. Only slightly less awesome than Penis Envy.
3)Best Before - Some of the singles are great, but a few of the early ones have so-so lyrics, and a lot of the most effective later singles are just like this album, w/ random noise.
4)Stations - A few great songs (Big Hands, Darling, Big Man) but lots of filler and a terrible live set.
5) Christ - Once again, lots of filler, and it's hard to distinguish the songs, even for a big Crass fan. The live disc is OK on this one.
6)Yes Sir - Mostly poetry set to noise, with one good song.
7)Christ Bootleg - Not worth getting, and could turn a new listener off from the band.

Anonymous (March 27, 2007)

"When I was younger I listened to this a lot and tried to get into it, but I was pretty much just torturing myself."

How much more honesty would there be if we all admitted to liking bands for years we really have no clue if they're talented or not.

wyzo

Anonymous (March 27, 2007)

This album is pretty unlistenable. The brief piano part is interesting. When I was younger I listened to this a lot and tried to get into it, but I was pretty much just torturing myself.

GlassPipeMurder (March 27, 2007)

Part 4 is probably my favorite...this is really creative i just don't care for most of it.

theonetruebill (March 27, 2007)

I actually like Penis Envy the best of all the Crass stuff I own. Admittedly, it's only that, 5000, and best before 1984, but Penis Envy is squarely at the top.

Do you think half the little kids who claim to worship these guys actually understand what they're saying? That's the main reason why I avoided listening to them until I was in college.

Anonymous (March 27, 2007)

i think i like this record more than anyone involved in the creation of it or who was into Crass when it came out likes it.