Reviews:

In my opinion this is the definitive Big Boys record. All the elements that made their other records great coalesce here in a collection of 15 totally stellar songs. More of a hardcore record than any of their other work, it still manages to deliver totally unique music. "We Got Your Money" and "Gator Fuckin" continue the ongoing campaign against frat boys, the former as a snotty, sing along punk-funk jam and the latter as a totally over the top hardcore anthem. "Manipulation" and "Baby Let's Play God" are jazz-tweaked dirges that recall earlier Big Boys songs. "We're Not in it to Lose" is a reprisal of "Fun, Fun, Fun" and is no less catchy or inspirational. "White Nigger" (referring to the label given to white outcasts in Texas) is one of the best straight funk tunes that the Big Boys ever cranked out, guaranteed to get even the most uptight hardcore poser shakin' that ass. "Sound on Sound" remains an unprecedented acheivement in punk balladry and the foundation for a whole new generation of introspective, quiet punk music. This LP is so amazing because it can sandwich a tune as subtle as this between the hyper-activity of "We're Not in it to Lose" and "Fight Back." This LP also saw the Big Boys jump from their own Moment label to the semi-major label Enigma (home of Red Cross, the Dead Milkmen, the Pogues, and Stryper) to get better distribution. This was a fairly common thing around 83/84 as the big labels finally acknowledged hardcore's huge popularity. Despite their compromises, and because they were way too radical to function at the mainstream level at that point, the Big Boys still kept the DIY message. In "Fight Back" Biscuit rants: "Are you ready to take a stand? Make a fanzine, make a band. You're telling me you got something to say? Quit your bitching, there's a way!"
-JEFF