Critical reception
New Musical Express gave 3 Songs a positive review, writing that "the Washington serious hardcore giants bring us a tiny slab of life. 'Song #1' is the best thing here, a sexy metal riff with brains under the fine line, 'song number one is not a fuck you song,' and a rock tune, reminiscent, indeed, of the better days of punk rock." [6]
Sounds named 3 Songs its "single of the week" for January 13, 1990. Its critic remarked that "'Song #1' finds Washington's finest in a wonderfully lurching mood, the MacKaye/Picciotto guitar team exploring a riff that lunges in a style not unlike "Wild Thing," while the vocal lashes out at youth culture and blind worship of rock 'n rollers." [7]
A positive review in the punk fanzine Flipside referred to "Song #1" as a "great song" with an "infectious chorus," before declaring "you already know that [3 Songs] is a must have." [8] Ernest Drudge of Alternative Press also reviewed the EP positively, noting that "Song #1" is "the rare kind of song that keeps rock music from choking on its own tail. [...] The music is an indescribable mix of punk, funk, and the Beastie Boys." [9]
A review in Melody Maker was more mixed, with its critic describing the single as "a clipped noise, no sprawl in sight. Fugazi stay buttoned-up. It's a punky rant on somewhat addled themes. [...] It may be drivel, but at least they're urgent, up on their nerves and the balls of their feet." [10]
A retrospective review from AllMusic was favorable, noting:
"Song #1" actually sounds like a Minor Threat song in its directness, doing what it can to make things like records, haircuts, and the thoughts of others seem meaningless in the grand scheme of things -- "Life is what you want it to be." "Joe #1" is an instrumental showcase for bassist Joe Lally, also notable for what seems to be the band's first use of piano. "Break In" is a brief slice of anxious hardcore, thanks to Guy Picciotto's hyper vocalizing and the blazing instrumentation from the usual suspects. [11]
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