by Andy HindsA compilation of material from the group's three 7-inch EPs Skins, Brains & Guts, Committed for Life, and Blasts From the Past, alt.music.hardcore spotlights 7 Seconds' early years, from 1981 to 1983, when the band matched their Ramones-by-way-of-Minor Threat hardcore sound with simplistic but well-meaning lyrics in songs like Racism Sucks, Redneck Society, and the Descendents-esque I Hate Sports. Like the scores of other generic hardcore bands that multiplied like rats in the early '80s, 7 Seconds were often likable for their sheer earnestness and their commitment to playing as fast as possible.