Wasted...Again

Making their break-up in 1986 definitive, this 1987 “Greatest Hits” collection sums up the band’s tumultuous years in succinct fashion. Twelve quick doses of what Black Flag did best. The album features the work of singer Keith Morris on “Wasted,” “I Don’t Care,” “I’ve Had It” and “Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie,” Chavo on “Jealous Again,” Dez Cadena for “Six Pack” and “Louie Louie” and Henry Rollins for the five remaining tracks. Guitarist Greg Ginn is the band’s one consistent member, twisting the fretboard in manic deviation. This collection does as it should and features the band’s most anthemic material, staying away from the tumultuous and difficult album tracks for the satisfying blare of the sure-fire crowd-pleasers from “Wasted” to “Annihilate This Week.” In another era, Black Flag would’ve had the potential to become one of the era’s biggest bands, but in the ‘80s, they were resigned to release their albums on their own label and create their own distribution network. They led by example.