Operation Ivy “Hectic” 1988. Lookout! Records. 6-song debut EP from ska-punks Operation Ivy which is, according to Trouser Press, credited as the first ska-core record (not sure that I have the energy to verify that). Operation Ivy included all six tracks on their 1991 release Operation Ivy. The 7″ EP comes with a very badly stapled 8-page booklet that includes lyrics, band info, comments about the songs and blurry photocopied show flyers.

Hectic is a quick listen, lasting around 10 minutes total. It’s extra-fast ska-jumpy, definitely rough around the edges with NO horns, just the standard rock guitar/bass/drums/vocal lineup. For me most ska records tend to sound all alike after a song a two so the infusion of some hardcore punk is refreshing. Punk takes center stage on the first track, “Junkie’s Runnin’ Dry” as well as on “Hoboken.” My favorite ska-forward song is “Healthy Body,” which has a lot of tempo changes and seems very Clash-inspired, down to singer Jesse Michaels’ vocal intonations. I also really like the guitar riff on “Yellin’ In My Ear.”

Our copy is not a first-run, which is probably for the best. According the Discogs listing of Hectic, the first pressing listed numbers on the back cover but “The numbers are not necessary consecutive. The number of copies in the first pressing is unknown. David Hayes [Lookout! Records co-owner] stamped multiple copies of this album as “0001” just to trick collectors.”