The front cover of a stream of urine landing on a bunch of records in a urinal and a punk skanking on the back cover sums up what the Circle Jerks are all about: a bizarre, juvenile sense of humor in songs that makes punks do strange and violent dances. While the Circle Jerks' (led by the duo of lead vocalist Keith Morris and guitarist Greg Hetson) first two records Group Sex and Wild In The Streets are regarded as seminal hardcore records, this one, albeit not quite up to par, still upholds the Jerks' M.O. of obnoxious and snide punk rock played loud, fast, and with reckless abandon. They change up the pace a bit with more songs that breach the two minute mark - a foreign concept for the Jerks and their fans for sure. While the results are mixed for the most part, you should be satisfied with Golden Shower Of Hits as it's got plenty of classic Circle Jerks songs present.
First the mediocre. The few "experimental" songs they try are commendable but nonetheless don't seem to fit the flow of this record very well. The stuttering, pounding pace of "Bad Words" doesnât really go anywhere. The lyrics are typical Keith Morris fare as he examines the art of using bad words where "they come in all shapes / they come in all sizes / from the rich to the poor." Only a guy like Keith could almost get away with it. Almost. The sleazy "Rats Of Reality" is a foray into 70's classic rock which comes out sounding totally out of place sandwiched in between the faster hardcore tracks. But then again, we are talking about the Circle Jerks here, so them throwing us something totally off the wall may not be all that surprising.
And now the good - and there's plenty of i. They have slowed down a bit since the Group Sex days, but come on, they were playing 30-second songs back then, so there was only one way they could go. They still play damn fast though. Enjoy the 41-second hardcore blitz of "In Your Eyes" right off the bat. "Coup D'etat" and the excellent "High Price On Our Heads," among others, are perfect for surefire monster slam pits the Jerks are known for. One thing that will never change (and thank God for that) is Keith's sarcastic outlook on life and politics, as in one of the most catchiest songs theyâve ever written, "When The Shit Hits The Fan." He screams "10 kids in a Cadillac / stand in lines for welfare checks / letâs all leach off the state / gee! The money is really great!"
The last track is called "Golden Shower Of Hits," and it's a merry medley of cover songs from uh, some artists I donât know (I'll get back to you on that one). It's got a little bit of everything: Keith crooning, someone belching and making random farting noises, peppy background vocals, Keith testifying "Having my baby, what a lovely way of saying what you think of me!" Covering songs like "Afternoon Delight" and "Love Will Keep Us Together," you can't help but smile as this is all coming from a hardcore band that's written songs like "I Just Want Some Skank" and "World Up My Ass." That's why you and I love the Circle Jerks.
And that's how it ends. It's the last solid outing from the Southern California punk legends. Subsequent records would find them moving further away from the hardcore label and into newer territory with more mixed results as would others from the class of 1981. But go ahead and slap this one on and sit still if you can. It's still the Circle Jerks, and it's still pretty good.