What an interesting little gem this album is. Released in 1986, it was the the followup to SST’s original, low-priced label compilation of the same name (except for being listed as Volume I). The first installment was released in 1983, with 3/4 of the tracks being from Black Flag and the Minutemen. The Blasting Concept Volume II offers much more variety in terms of the bands featured, including The Meat Puppets, Saint Vituts, Overkill, and The October Faction. In addition, Hüsker Dü and Saccharine Trust both make return appearances (they had a track each on Volume I). The variety of tracks on Volume II, which was much derided by many people back in the day for its inclusion of several cover songs, actually is a solid mix of important punk pioneers and quite a few bands that shouldn’t have been forgotten about. The Minutemen do a stellar and somewhat over-the-top version of Van Halen’s “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love,” complete with somewhat solo from D. Boon. There is the somewhat rare version of Saint Vitus’ “Look Behind You” with original singer Scott Reagers on vocals (which actually sounds quite good considering it is the one song on the classic “Born Too Late” that doesn’t really suit Wino’s voice). The Meat Puppets do an outstanding take of “I Just Want To Make Love to You” that boils the Foghat version (leaving the Muddy Waters one alone) into an ugly, swaggering dirge (more the plea of a drunken lascivious bastard than a pseudo rock n’ roller). Overkill’s revamping of the Motörhead sound makes “Over the Edge” a crushing track. And even DC3′s almost-faithful rendition of Mountain’s “Theme From An Imaginary Western” still holds up well, taking the piss, but still being somewhat respectful of Leslie West and crew. And for $3.49 back in 1986, this LP was well worth the cash. Thankfully I didn’t have to pay too much more in 2009.