Originally released in 1981, A Minute To Pray brings together the greatest band in American rock history: Dave Alvin (Blasters) on guitar, John Doe (X) on bass, Steve Berlin (Los Lobos) on sax, along with Bill Bateman (Blasters) and DJ Bonebrake (X) providing the album's trademark percussive backbone. Chris D. leads the group like a man possessed. Through a series of grotesque vignettes, his lyrical prowess and indelible growl stand toe-to-toe with the music's powerful shifts.
From opener "Digging My Grave" (resembling a diesel-charged Magic Band) to the gothic groove of "Divine Horsemen," each song is its own hairy beast. Inspired by African tribal music, '60s garage-rock churn and Funhouse-era Stooges swing, A Minute To Pray remains (according to author / archivist Byron Coley) "the best rock record ever recorded."