Various - DIY: We're Desperate: The L.A. Scene (1976-79) [Rhino, 1993]: 7.5 (high B+)

The least of the three compilations I was able to find on the early LA punk scene, in my view. The other two -- (Jon Savage presents) Black Hole: Californian Punk 1977-80 [Domino, 2010] and Punk 45: Chaos in the City of Angels and Devils: Hollywood From X to Zero & Hardcore on the Beaches: Punk in Los Angeles 1977-81 [Soul Jazz, 2016] -- are worth having. This one’s not bad -- it’s just not as good and seems to stray from “punk” in some places. Strange for Rhino not to get this exactly right, since they started in the midst of all this. Of course, maybe I’m taking the outsider’s (British) view of the scene. #mulitartistcomp