If'n | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | November 4, 1987 [1] | |||
Recorded | September–October 1987; Radio Tokyo, Venice, California [1] | |||
Genre | Alternative rock | |||
Label | SST (115) | |||
Producer | Ethan James, Mike Watt | |||
Firehose chronology | ||||
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If'n is the second album by the American alternative rock band fIREHOSE, released in 1987.
The album name is a reference to the Bob Dylan song "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" from The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan . [2] The left side of the album cover has a picture of Hüsker Dü, friends of the band and labelmates at SST Records. [3]
"For the Singer of R.E.M." was a tribute to the alternative rock band R.E.M., who had invited Firehose's predecessor Minutemen to join them on the tour to support the 1985 album Fables of the Reconstruction . [4] When Minutemen singer D Boon died in a car crash shortly after the tour, R.E.M. organized a benefit concert for Boon's family and remained friendly with Minutemen Mike Watt and George Hurley, who would go on to form Firehose with singer/guitarist Ed Crawford.
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Robert Christgau | B [6] |
Critical reviews of If'n were mostly positive, describing the album as more focused than Firehose's debut. Robert Christgau said the band "sound more like a regular rock band" on this album. [6] A review in Spin said "If'n realizes the promise of their auspicious debut, Ragin', Full On , and ups the ante, proving once and for all that these dudes live in the shadow of no one." [7]