358 - Buzzcocks - Singles Going Steady

[csberry]

Yet again, I've come to another singles compilation. Unlike some of the other albums, though, I never had any moments where I felt I was listening to b-sides or after-thought additions. From start to end, the listener gets a healthy dose of 2-3 minute punk pop songs. There is also a kindred connection between the Buzzcocks and the Kinks. These are garage band songs about love, sex, and teen angst. Pete's vocals are frequently delivered in a manner very reminiscent of early 70's glam David Bowie.

It is easy to roll one's eyes when discussing "song writing" in relation to punk bands, but I feel that the covers of the Buzzcock's "Ever Fallen in Love?" is an easy example of how the Buzzcocks songs are crafted with driving guitars, hooks, melodies, and wit. This isn't raw angst smashing away at instruments and in-eloquently vocalized through primitive, unintelligible, or trite lyrics. These are punks with pop skills.

I highly recommend this album as a good introduction to anyone curious about 70's punk.

Songs I knew I liked: "Ever Fallen in Love?"

Songs I didn't know but now like: "Orgasm Addict," "What Do I Get?," "I Don't Mind," "Everybody's Happy Nowadays" (my favorite from the album), "Harmony in My Head," "Oh Shit!," "Just Lust," and "Why Can't I Touch It?"

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: None