Seeing We Jam Econo reminds me that the Minutemen need a reissue program. Here's how it should go:

1. A double CD reissue of the previously cassette-only My First Bells

   Though the original cassette sounds terrible, this compilation of their releases from 1980 to 1983 (mostly) in order, works as an album much better than any of the Post-Mersh CDs that came later. Side (or in this case, disc) 2 is especially good, starting with "Bob Dylan Wrote Propaganda Songs" and ending with "Little Man With a Gun in His Hand". Both songs' impact is blunted coming halfway through their respective CD compilations.

   If you have the three Post-Mersh CDs and download some stray compilation tracks, you can nearly recreate My First Bells in your own home (you'll still be missing "Clocks" from the Chunks compilation). Try it and you too will consider this to be the finest Minutemen collection, with the possible exception of...

2. A (double, if necessary) CD reissue of the complete, original Double Nickels on the Dime

   All of the previous CD editions of this album are missing songs. Again, let the corndogs help you reproduce the experience (though you will still be missing most of the side ending and beginning "car jams").

3. 1985

   Put both of their "commercial" records from 1985 together: Project: Mersh and 3-Way Tie (For Last), in that order on a single CD.

4. A double "deluxe" CD reissue of Ballot Result

   This would include all the tracks from the original double LP, the cassette bonus tracks, and then pile on all the other odds & ends (possibly expanding to 3 discs): The Politics of Time LP, the Tour-Spiel EP, the Georgeless EP, and more Reactionaries material.

All four will come with full-color reproductions of all the original jacket art, obligatory Byron Coley liner notes, and won't be on SST.