Reviews:

When Embrace got called "emo-core" Ian pointed out that hardcore has always been emotional. The prevailing emotion in hardcore lyrics and music is usually anger, and that's true of the first two Minor Threat 7"s, which were some of the most pissed off records ever. This EP is no different, with most of the songs being angry accusations at some unnamed "you," but the fury is tinged throughout the record with a lot more subtle, though no less visceral emotions. The change in Minor Threat's delivery is best expressed in "Little Friend," one of their best songs: "There are no words for what I want to say / No description for what I feel / It's a non-emotion / It's something gray / Way down inside of me." Without sacrificing much of his pose as an accusatory preacher, Ian's lyrics manage to express regret, self doubt, nostalgia, and other ambiguous or contradictory feelings. The new melodic elements in the music compliment this new complexity perfectly without yeilding any of the band's power.
While "Little Friend" may be the emotional core of the record, its message can be summed up by the call to "Think Again." This EP finds the band rethinking a lot of assumptions about themselves and there scene, most obviously in the re-recording of "Out of Step," which is rewritten to include an "I" before each of Ian's commands and the classic disclaimer interlude. Legend has it that this change was the cause of much infighting betwween Ian and Jeff Nelson, and on the original mix of the EP Ian begins the song with even more tension by saying in an irritated voice "Yes, GO!"
In retrospect, the unlisted final song, "Cashing In," is interesting. At the time Minor Threat was being accused of selling out, the song stood apart from the others, which were more introspective and personal while "Cashing In" was a simple, goofy parody of small-minded naysayers. Knowing after the fact that two members of the band actually did want to "cash in," the song seems to fall perfectly in line with the rest of the EP, and the whole thing stands as a blueprint for the conflicts that ended Minor Threat. It also marks, along with the Faith LP from the same year, the beginning of the next wave of harDCore.
-JEFF

Exploding turbulence thrusts forth eight new MINOR THREAT proficient arrangements. Increase the velocity of their first two powerful releases, step Brian up to 2nd guitar, add new bassist Steve, and still more potent lyrical blitzes, and this 12"s non-hesitant progression outbursts into the blazing best DISCHORD yet. Don't miss.
-Pushead, from MRR #5, 1983