In a better world, neither of these albums would exist. D. Boon, the hulking frontman and guitarist of the Minutemen, would not have died in a van accident three days before Christmas 1985, and the trio's surviving rhythm section (bassist Mike Watt and drummer George Hurley) would not have had to find a new partner. But since we can't alter fate, we'll have to console ourselves with a raucous...

Indie-rock purists held their breath when Firehose made the jump to major labeldom last year. Surprise! Not only was the transformation effortless, but the records were better. Both Flyin' the Flannel and the mostly covers Live Totem Pole EP were smokin' hunks of clatter that struck a deft balance between the band's muscular immediacy and arty tomfoolery. Ed Crawford's polite guitar got louder and...