Dischord / US / RE 2022 / LP, Silver Vinyl, Gray Cover
Fifteen years after first encountering Minor Threat, the band’s youthful zeal and idealism stand out as its most striking qualities. Out of Step embodies a belief in personal discipline—eschewing drugs and alcohol—as a means to transcend society's consumerist traps. This ethos, while inspiring, also gave rise to a sometimes militant straight-edge movement, a phenomenon that contrasts with Ian MacKaye’s personal philosophy and highlights the inevitability of factionalism in ideologies.
Despite these complexities, the album remains a sincere, brash expression of its time, with its simple, raw, and energetic style reflecting a deeply held hope for a better, independent community. Its sincerity, even in its naivety, continues to resonate. Watching old punk footage or reflecting on past experiences rekindles the sense of hope that punk and straight-edge once promised—a hope that, though tested, has shaped the writer’s life across various communities, from punk to church. For that enduring influence, they remain grateful to Minor Threat.