Well, I know I've been curious. I've wanted to look behind the Fugazi curtain to hear and see what goes on when the band writes, tours and records. Fugazi's new Instrument video and soundtrack CD provide an all-access pass to the inner workings of one of today's premier bands.

I ordered both from Dischord and watched the video (A few times, I'm not ashamed to admit) before listening to the soundtrack CD, and I think that's the way to do it. The documentary, shot nonstop by Jem Cohen on tours, in the studio and at rehearsals, shows the members of Fugazi doing what they do best: making music and going to all of the places it takes them. There are several laugh out loud parts -- a well-meaning fan who incorrectly recalls Ian's days in Black Flag, while mispronouncing his name, Guy plotting the death of a Hollywood legend, Joe's futile attempt to tell everyone about his Iggy Pop dream, Brendan rigging a motel showerhead with Dial soap, a slick MuchMusic correspondent who enthusiastically mangles their lyrics...It's a feel-good flicka that leaves me wishing that Guy had a dance studio I could sign up for.

The Instrument soundtrack includes demos of songs that haven't evolved into regular album tracks & raw working 'drafts' of now-familiar songs, some of which are included in the documentary's music bed. A dream come true for any Fugazi fan.

Instrument Soundtrack is one of those rare albums that is complete from beginning to end - like one long song. The whole album is perfect and the atmosphere remains unbroken, even when left to repeat for several days at a time, which is what I usually do (in the car).

Funny, it never occurred to me that these songs were incomplete demos. I received this as a gift some years ago and didn't know anything about it at the time. Since then it's become one of my all-time favorite albums. I knew Fugazi from the 13 Songs and Repeater albums, but Instrument was actually my first to own by them. I will definitely say this is not your Fugazi starter album if you are looking for the sound that made them popular, but it may become your favorite album if, like me, you come to appreciate their phenomenal growth and evolution.

If you are a fan then you should get this. You don't need me to tell you that. This is a good record.

If you don't care about Fugazi but are interested in a unique original sound that is completely introspective and unpretentious, then you might want to give this one a try. Your money could be supporting worse efforts than this one. It's a little raw, has few vocals, and uses actual instruments as the title suggests. I hope I'm not too far out on a limb by suggesting that the term "ambient" could apply here. But forget ambient in the new age sense.

This is the soundtrack to the spectacular VHS/DVD "Instrument" by Fugazi, it is a great album for fans. It contains early/different versions of Fugazi songs that are already on Fugazi albums. It also contains some unreleased material. These different interpratations and unreleased songs are intresting but people who aren't as involved fans might not like it that much. The quality ranges from track to track and there are only 2 (I believe) songs with vocals on them "I'm So Tired" (one of the unreleased songs) is just Ian MacKaye playing piano and singing almost a ballad-like song, to me this song alone is worth the price. But, if you aren't a devoted fan I would advise buying another Fugazi album.

Listening to this album now I can see that it is my favourite by Fugazi. The mix and match compilation of all their demos leads you down the path into appreciating their later albums. If you like Fugazi's background tracks, the music beneath the lyrics then you will love this album, watch out for 12 and 17.

How they could leave out the live version of Sweet and Low that they played in the documentary is simply beyond me. That part of the film brings me to tears. Other than that, this is a great jam album, great driving music, great all around. I prefer introducing people to fugazi with some of their other albums, but this one is definately beautiful. Slo Crostic is one of my favorite Fugazi songs ever.