Fugazi is one of my favorite types of bands, that being one who spits in the face of such tawdry things as "labels", or "genres". These guys take the rawness of punk and indie rock, and the complexity of jazz and prog, and strike a seemingly impossible balance between the two. This album is a wild roller coaster of layered complex rhythms, jarring time changes, loud, crashing walls of noise, and plaintive, tranquil melodies.

Nowhere is this diversity more evident than on "Nightshop" and "Ex-Spectator", both full of wild, unpredictable dynamics, all brought together seamlessly. Elsewhere, the band is ever dynamic, from loud punk anthems ("Full Disclosure", "Epic Problem"), to softer, ambient ballads ("Strangelight", "The Kill"). "Cashout" and "Life and Limb" are equally bizarre and catchy, with singable melodies superimposing odd, offbeat rhythms, once again showcasing this band's tremendous songwriting talent. Anybody can do all of these things, but to bring them together as they do is truly special.

Most bands that fall into the punk or indie genres are not well-known for their technical prowess, but Fugazi are undoubtedly an exception. The drumming is dizzyingly dynamic, going from wild and erratic to subtle and subdued, sounding completely natural either way. The guitar and bass are both raw and stylish (and "Ex-Spectator" even features some cool finger-tapping from both), and frontman Guy Piccioto is the perfect vocalist to match it all, going from hair-raising howls to Beatle-like choruses.

Simply put, Fugazi is one of the best rock bands there is, and a must for any music-lover. And better yet, the band works to keep the prices of their CD's low, so you have no excuse. Buy all their stuff.

13 Songs...Repeater...Red Medicine Fugazi has never released a bad album, each one great on their own. But each time they were just a little bit off from greatness, the next level that I knew they would achieve one day. A huge change from their first couple of albums, The Argument is very radioheadish, acoustic guitars are more prominent and much more creative song writing is used and not only does it work, creating Fugazi's masterpiece. But it also creates the cd that's the best for a new listener to pick up.

Catchy songs that partialy resemble the Fugazi of old like Full Disclosure sound like they COULD become radio hits, will they? Nope not a chance, the public is too wrapped up in style over substance. Songs like Cashout, The Kill, and Nightshop show off the new more experimentive sound of the band, offering a great contrast that I never get bored of hearing in an album.

This is like the OK Computer of the punk genre, complex, thought out, and extremly catchy (in a good way) not only should punk and emo fans pick this up, but anyone who enjoys music as a whole should too.

When i first got this album, i was honestly a bit dissapointed. Fugazi is a band that you have to listen to for a while before you really start to like them. Fugazi has a different sound. Its Obvious that some of the greatest bands of our time are influenced by these people (at the drive in, refused). This cd is not really a cd that has a catchy beat or sound, you like this cd for its individuality and its subtle genius... what i mean by this is, this doesnt sound like a typical rock and roll album, it is mainly meant for musicians in the way that it isnt about sound, its more about music theory. It is very simple. It kind of reminds me of a Pedro the Lion version of at the drive in. they could so easily make this cd catchy if they wanted it to be, it just that they arent rythem oriented, Some songs on the cd are relatively rythem oriented such as tracks three and four. fugazi sounds like it came from the sixties. It will take you a while to like this cd if you are new to fugazi. this is for fans of minor threat, at the drive in, pink floyd, and refused.

This album is phenomenal, easily their best, no question about it. Every song is great, but my favorites are "Life and Limb", "Cashout", and "Full Disclosure". "Epic Problem" is great too.

Who would have though Ian Mckaye could peak 20 years into his career? The Argument is a modern punk rock masterpeice. The band experiments with a variety of different styles and formulas mixing in elements of dub, funk and jazz effortlessly. Their spirit and message is still as sharp as ever. Ian and Guy deliver their twisting, turning songs with some amazing melodies i never knew they had in them. Face it, Fugazi was never the one dimensional hardcore punk band some of their misguided fans believed they were. While some punk bands continue to make the same old tired garbage, Fugazi have matured and evolved into something even better.