Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (4)

A POST-PUNK CLASSIC
A CLIFFORD HODGE REVIEW
Bonus Track Explanation
According to AllMusic.com regarding the extra tracks: "The original 1989 CD issue by Restless Retro features four bonus tracks from an experimental EP issued with some copies of the vinyl LP." I don't know why Amazon lists these tracks on the remastered CD, they're not there.

Falsely Advertised
Buyer Beware! If You purchase this product in the form of 2006 EMI/Pink Flag, distibuted by Revolver USA you will only get the 1st 13 tracks. The bonus tracks are not on this version! The quality of the re-master is good. The packaging is the digipack paper type, and the booklet does not contain the lyrics. It does have some photos and a synopsis on the band, the album etc. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. British Punk    2. Experimental Rock    3. Pop    4. Post-Punk    5. Punk    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Features

• Box set

Reviews (25)

A Banshees Alternate History
This triple CD with a bonus CD EP collects all the B-sides released by Siouxsie and the Banshees in their illustrious career, excluding the extended remixes. Of those who witnessed Siouxsie reciting The Lord's Prayer at the 100 Club Punk Festival in 1976, who would have imagined the glories that lay ahead for the Chiselhurst punkette and her troupe of Banshees?
The long awaited boxed set - Treasures covered in dirt
The title of my review should become clear after reading it. 'Downside Up', the tremendously in-demand boxed set of Banshees B sides, finally came into existence in late 2004. For those who do not like a meticulously nit-picky review, please move on. For those who want to know all of the good and the bad, then I'm your unrestrained reviewer.
Something WICKED!!!
I was too young to collect these gems when first released on vinyl so many years ago. As a result, I can listen without prejudice (unlike some jaded old fans) and appreciate these songs for what they are....and they are AMAZING! THANK YOU SATB for releasing this!!! For some of us its the first time hearing them. And the addition of lyrics and comments in the booklet was cool too. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. British Punk    3. College Rock    4. Goth Rock    5. Pop    6. Post-Punk    7. Punk    8. Rock    9. Rock/Pop   

Features

• Import

Reviews (4)

Complete your demo collection of the Pistols
Not much needs to be said about NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS, but the second disc is a necessary purchase even if you bought the SEX PISTOLS BOX, which is full of demos (but not all of them). There was not enough time to fit everything on that, so some tracks were cut from it. This 2CD set was issued first. The following track list was found after researching on the web. This info is not on the set (actually almost no info is on the set).
WELL WORTHTHE MONEY IF YOU LOVE THE PISTOLS
This British version of Bollocks has a much clearer mix than the US version!That in itself is worth it since it's one of the greatest albums of all times.SPUNK is '77 demos and the Chris Spedding demos sounding their best.OK, I bought it for about 5 bucks less - if you don't want to pay full price, it's well worth searching for at a lower price; or check back here for a possible future discount.

The Defense Rests...
I agree with the previous reviewer, but have to add a little historical background so you understand where the appeal possibly comes from.Because who doesn't already own "Bollocks?"Read more

Subjects:  1. British Punk    2. Punk    3. Rock    4. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (39)

My favoritie album of all time
The title says it all.The album is intense, energetic, fast paced and just plain kicks butt.This is an album that EVERY punk fan should own.It catapulted my interest in punk years ago and will be a CD that will always be in my collection.I really think the Subhumans are one of the best bands of all time.

Over 20 Years and It still Rocks
I Bough this Album 16 years ago and still think it rocks the SubHumans stand the test of time and their political brand of Punk made them worthy inheritors of the type of Political Punk brought to the Punk mainstream by Crass. A great album and a must for any Punk Collection. If you like this album a better point of call than the Clash would be Citizen Fish, Rudimentary Peni, Conflict, Minor Threat, The germs of Flux of Pink Indians. If you prefer the Clash's style of 70's Punk try The Ruts, The Stranglers, The Lurkers, X-Ray-Specs, The Adverts of Slaughter & The Dogs.

Great record.
To the Clash fan:You obviously didn't read the amazingly well written, intelligent lyrics that this album's got.You have no clue what you're talking about.
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Subjects:  1. British Punk    2. Pop    3. Punk    4. Rock   

Editorial Review

More interested in social commentary than political confrontation, the Jam breathed some sophistication into the British punk movement. The young Paul Weller mixed punk anger with 1960s mod guitar flash, a combination that set the Jam apart from their contemporaries. Cynical but never abrasive, the songs on Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (14)

The great leap foward!!!
All mod cons is wellers dive into manhood and away from the jams early sound. Its more polished but not in a bad way. This is where the modfather would begin to prove his weight in gold- the songwriting is fantastic for someone so young and would continuefor years to come. The anger is now laced under character studies ala Ray davies- the rickenbacker not only barks but weaves great double tracked lines- great use of reverse guitar in "in the crowd"This is the start of a great set of albums- Setting Sons- Sound Affects and the final offering of the Gift. All these albums should be in your collection- the Jam were the only band to give the clash a run for its money( the jam were more popular in the uk) and over the long haul weller has proved to be the class of 77's greatest songwriter. Among the best albums of the 70's!!

Coming Into Their Own...
I must have seen these guys play at least a dozen times in New York City during their recording lifespan,and I think on all their tours, and always felt their energy,sophistication,song writing were an intelligent expression and outgrowth of the great UK 60's music going down..Heavily influenced and paying respects proudly to their heroes like the Kinks,Small Faces,Who...this Album pushed them ahead of the pack because there was a maturity here moving them forward from the strict mod induced sound they wore proudly..A feeling that the world was changing while putting out a great album of great songs.The cd Setting Sons should get equal merit.

The Jam really hit their stride (5 Stars)
All Mod Cons is where everything really came together for The Jam.The songs and the writing matured by leaps and bounds compared to The Modern World.Weller has some of his best work on this album including the beautiful ballad "English Rose," the stumbling anger of the title track, and the chilling "Down In A Tube Station At Midnight" with it's rapid fire drums and funky walking bass lending a real sense of urgency to the story being unfolded by Weller.His social commentary here is biting and pissed off and though the music spread out in more directions with Weller building off his various influences (especially R&B), the spirit of the album is punk, through and through.A wonderful disc that gets stronger with every listen and it remains one of the great original punk albums as well as one of the great British albums of all time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. British Punk    2. England    3. Mod Revival    4. New Wave    5. Pop    6. Punk    7. Punk/New Wave    8. Rock    9. Rock/Pop   

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (6)

an excellent bit of the "new wave"
most people tend to write reviews because they really love a cd, or they really hate it. this is, by far the best rats cd/album. i am so happy it is finally available on cd. "mondays" of course, is the famous track, but its all good: life, love, paranoia: the rat's take on it is delivered with fine musicianship, great production, and bob geldof's sneer. i dont even care about the bonus tracks, they are o.k., the main album is wonderful and highly reccomended.

Greatest album, but...
Greatest rats album, great re-issue etc...
Awesome Remaster of a classic album!!!
This was always my favorite Boomtown Rats CD and I'm glad this and all the other Rats CD's have been remastered."The fine art of Surfacing" is an amazing CD from start to finish.The lyrics and melodies are brilliant.God, I wish these guys would reform and tour again.C'mon Bob, reform the Rats. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. British Punk    2. Ireland    3. New Wave    4. Pop    5. Punk    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (17)

Oh Yeah..Man..
Siouxsie SIoux..We salute..I danced so hard.."Hong Kong Garden"..Early Siouxsie was this..Raw crunchy guitars that spoke with her idealistic lyrics..Disco in "Israel"..Siouxsie was beautiful then and now..Artsy and new wave in "Christine", and "Arabian Nights" the first of these songs being an artful part punk part new wave mish mash.."Tinderbox" is the other album that shines..Be 17 again..Go buy "Once Upon A Time" and get the history and the attitude of youth that keep our world alive..Hey Rick and Colleen remember me? Let's start a punk band..

Siouxsie Sioux - Queen of Artsy Goth
I have loved Siouxsie & the Banshees since my introduction in junior high school.I'm mid-30's now and this album is still incredibly beautiful, artsy and romantically gothic at the same time. Siouxsie has such an amazing voice - and the Banshees are an incredibly tight band. Budgie is a terrific drummer.Listen to "Christine" and "Israel" and become spellbound.If you love The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Smiths, Joy Division, Mission UK - then give the Queen of Goth a shot!

Siouxsie&The Banshees-'Once Upon A Time:The Singles'(Geffen)
Essential for any and all Siouxsie&The Banshees fans.Sure,it's an early compilation,with material from 1978-81.Every one of the CD's ten cuts are a winner,like "The Staircase Mystery","Love In A Void",the insanely written "Happy House","Christine","Isreal","Spellbound"(one of my all time favorites)and "Arabian Knights".Top rate goth alternative.It's nearly impossible not to like at least a couple of these tunes.Sounds just SO good,that it almost hurts.Voodoo enthusiasts,fortune tellers and goth queens,rejoice!Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. British Punk    3. College Rock    4. Goth Rock    5. Pop    6. Post-Punk    7. Punk    8. Rock    9. Rock/Pop   

Features

• Original recording remastered
• Import

Reviews (5)

One of the best albums ever.
If you like the Stranglers, then you probably already own it (if not, shame on you) and it is even probably your favourite Stranglers album. It has the heaviness and kick of previous albums (gotta love their basslines), but is much more polished as they have gotten a lot more synthesizer savy on this one. This is by far my favourite Stranglers album, although everything pre-Aural Sculpture is fantastic as well.

PUNK PPULSED OUT, MACHINEGUNNED,EMPEORS MEoW SUITTE,
THE ULTIMATE punk CATHARSIS,OUT SMART THE AART PRETENTIOUS SNOTY BRATS, WASH OUT,SURD STYLED VENTURES SPIRALS of HEAVEN FORBIIDPOWER POP,BEFOREIT GOT SOFT, RADICAL EXAMINATIONSINTO exeVerificationnof LUNACY, SETOF, OFF THE SHORES OF VAGRANCY,blow your snoty noises out WITH the lame in with the brain thinkin mans RATTLLES, the foundation OF before with AFTER CLEAAR, new shores toooo EXPLORE sabbertoothed SNATCHESOF THE BEST EVER SYNTHESISERS,trumphet YES ELEPHANT WAIL ala eric BRANNS guitar EFFECTS DONE percoscious,punk smart ALEXSOUT SMARTS, ALL ELSE.

PUNK PPULSED OUT, MACHINEGUNNED,EMPEORS MEW SUITTE,
THE ULTIMATE punk CATHARSIS,OUT SMART THE AART PRETENTIOUS SNOTY BRATS, WASH OUT,SURD STYLED VENTURES SPIRALS of HEAVEN FORBIIDPOWER POP,BEFOREIT GOT SOFT, RADICAL EXAMINATIONSINTO exeVerificationnof LUNACY, SETOF, OFF THE SHORES OF VAGRANCY,blow your snoty noises out WITH the lame in with the brain thinkin mans RATTLLES, the foundation OF before with AFTER CLEAAR, new shores toooo EXPLORE sabbertoothed SNATCHESOF THE BEST EVER SYNTHESISERS,trumphet YES ELEPHANT WAIL ala eric BRANNS guitar EFFECTS DONE percoscious, ... Read more

Subjects:  1. British Punk    2. New Wave    3. Punk    4. Rock    5. Rock & Roll    6. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

The Soft Boys' hugely influential 1980 neopsychedelic album Read more

Features

• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (16)

Superb
Underwater Moonlight, (The second studio album from the soft boys) is in my opinion one of the best albums ever. The soft boys first album, A can of bee's is more of a harder album than Underwater Moonlight, that doesn't live up to the consistancy on underwater moonlight. Every song on here, weather you've got the original album with the original ten songs, or you've got the newer release,(...and how it got there) along with the original ten songs, it's all great. The music and the lyrics are both at five star material. This music speaks to you weather your young or old. The sound is remarkable and has extrordinary vocals that harmonize perfectly to give the band it's signature sound ex., I wanna destoy you, Underwater Moonlight (the song) and reminds me of The Kinks, REM, and The Replacements. You can definetly see how this band influenced all the great 80's underground power pop bands to come. Pick this one up and you will not want to put it down.

Another great rock album from the 80's - chances are most people will love this!
Like The Smiths' "The Queen Is Dead" and The Replacements' "Let It Be", The Soft Boys' "Underwater Moonlight . . . And How It Got There" is another great college rock album from the 80's (1980) that I'm confident most people will love! Every song here is great and absolutely fun to listen to. Singer Robyn Hitchcock does an excellent job with the vocals, and I'm pretty sure that most people will love him - he definitely fits the music. The lyrics are easy to make out here and are always fun, catchy and interesting to listen to. The musicianship is dated sounding, but in a good way - you can tell this was made in 1980. As for it's style, it's essentially 80's college rock. Regardless of this it sounds fantastic anyway, and I'm sure it's style will be appealing to most people. The production here is pretty good, but I think it may be ready for an ice remastering. Overall, if you like rock music at all, there's no way you won't love The Soft Boys' "Underwater Moonlight . . . And How It Got There". Absolutely recommended!
AHHHHHH!! So Awesome!!!
Why didn't these guys have commercial success?!? These songs are fantastically humorous and witty, not to mention well sung/written/played.There is not one bad song on this entire album; they're all wonderfully odd and eccentric.It's outstanding.I’m just in such awe at the fact that this album isn’t even in any of my local CD stores; in fact there are no Soft Boys’ CDs in my local stores.The only place you can find these guys is on record, so thank god for Ebay!This band is so unique it’s very hard to categorize them or even compare them to anybody.Robyn Hitchcock has a Lou Reedish quality about him, however he can sing much better, the harmonies on this album are just plain awesome.The guitar playing is also quite outlandish, the songs float all over the place, but that’s what makes it all so great.PURCHASE THIS! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. British Punk    3. College Rock    4. Jangle Pop    5. New Wave    6. Pop    7. Post-Punk    8. Rock    9. Rock/Pop   

Features

• Import

Reviews (21)

Not punk, but still enjoyable
I you're used to the original punk Damned music you might be disappointed, but if you are willing to listen to something a little gothier and can still enjoy Dave Vanian's gorgeous voice you might want to check this one out.It is a slow, melodic, very full-bodied musical album with a little gothier tone than the orginal Damned.But at the same token, I don't find this album a downer or too slow to enjoy.It is best listened to as back-ground music.As with most Damend albums, the lyrics are a little annoyingly shallow and silly (so don't listen too hard), but Dave still sounds great and the music is well put together, like always.I am a pretty big early punk fan, but I still enjoy this album, although it's not for everyone.

Goth done...who knows?
So, they would save the ultimate cheesetasticalness for Anything, which even the most devoted Damned fan probably couldn't sit throught without cringing.
Loved it from the day I first heard it
I remember listening to this at secondary school in the 80's I loved it then and I still love it now.If you want a great Damned album this is it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. British Punk    2. Goth Rock    3. Pop    4. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    5. Punk    6. Rock   

Reviews (4)

Possibly the greatest record ever (Shock Troops)
This is a double CD, but Shock Troops is easily one of, if not the best, street punk/Oi! records ever. If you don't know the entire record by heart, buy this and learn. If I had to take 10 albums to a deserted island, blah blah, this would definitely go with me.

The First OI Band...
Cock Sparrer has a good claim on being one of the world's first punk band's, playing together before the Sex Pistols were even formed. Unfortunately, they didn't make a big splash with their first appearence... They released some singles during punk's first wave in the late seventies, but where they really proved to be influential was with these two albums, loaded with song after song of catchy, anthemic songs.
Excellent
This was one of my first cd's.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Britain    3. British Punk    4. Oi!    5. Pop    6. Punk    7. Rock   

Features

• Original recording remastered
• Special Edition

Reviews (23)

how can two extra choppy discs make london calling better?
first, the rating is for the un-necessary 3 disc set. yes, london calling is a great album, but this 25.00 a pop remaster thing that is going on these days is a scam and starting to get out of hand(weezer, sonic youth, and more)...i mean if you REALLY adore the band or album it is surely worth it, but if your a casual fan, just stick with the single disc..you arent missing much..actually, the choppy demos and what not make the album seem less inspiring and magical...i mean ill admit, if they REALLY improve the quality of music and add something phenomenal, i can see an easy "add to cart."...perfect example...the damned's double disc version of "black album."...get that over this...and keep your single disc london calling!it is already good enough...it doesn't need any choppy decorum additions like this.

"It was the last rock and roll album"
If you're thinking of buying this edition of "London Calling," chances are the original album needs no introduction.But if you are unfamiliar with it, suffice to say it's one of the very best hard rock albums of any era, especially its own.For a band usually classified as a punk band, the Clash proved to be far more versatile than that genre would suggest.Elements of everything from rockabilly to reggae put in an appearance here, all with an unmistakably punk attitude.Listening to the original album gives you the feeling that the style would have lasted much longer than it did if all those bands had learned how to play their instruments this well.
One of the best albums ever!
The Clash's London Calling is with out a doubt one of the all time best albums ever made, It's more then a punk, rock, regea, or ska album it's a melting pot for all that is good in those genras of music. Mick Jones' guitar work was never better then here on London Calling and Joe Strummers voice was never before or after a strong and a good as it is here. The whole band really came together in late 1979 to record what would go down in history as the greatest punk album of all time and one of the all time best all around albums ever, easily in the top ten of all time.
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Subjects:  1. Britain    2. British Punk    3. England    4. Hard Rock    5. New Wave    6. Pop    7. Punk    8. Rock    9. Rock & Roll    10. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (4)

SKIDS WHA HAE!!
It's always interesting to learn how U K bands fared in the States and how they were represented,And it would seem the Skids meant very little over there.This compilation was their Greatest Hits the THIRD time round here in the U K. Skids Ahoy
The Skids were one of the classiest punk bands to come out of the U.K. during the seventies, and this masterful compilation shines just as much now as it did when the Skids were causing ripples throughout the Highlands. Classics like "Into the Valley", "Charade" And "Of One Skin" Will always be a reminder of when Punk music and The Skids ruled the land.

The Shock of the New
In the early 80's, the Skids awoke me from my musical slumber with the kind of jolt that occurs only sporadically over a lifetime.Never had I heard something so powerful, so musically affirming.As an American, I hadthe added bonus of keeping the band all to myself, since no one in theStates ever heard of them.Playing with a tightness and deftness uncommonin the punk tradition, the Skids' songwriters were vocalist Richard Jobsonand guitarist Stuart Adamson.In the span of a few short years, the Skidspumped out four brilliant albums before dissolving.All four findrepresentation on this collection, but, as is always the case with anyanthology, there exists the problem of what to include or omit.Left offthis disc are two vital songs: "Scale", from their debut, and theanthemic "Arena", from the third album.It is good to see theinclusion of "Fields" and "Iona" from the finalrelease, Joy.Unfortunately, these last tracks fail to convey the overallaura of that album -- a folk album in the truest sense of the word.By thetime Joy was released in 1982, Jobson had moved far away from the aestheticthat had informed the Skids and break-up was inevitable.Adamson moved onand formed the commercially accessible Big Country, while Jobson createdthe short-lived but brilliant Armoury Show.Despite the passage of time,the music of the Skids remain as compelling today as when it was firstreleased.In a testament to their iconoclasm, consider the followingstanza from the rousing "Fields" and ask yourself where in musictoday can you find such sentiment:Read more

Subjects:  1. British Punk    2. New Wave    3. Pop    4. Popular Music    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop    7. Scotland   

Features

• Original recording remastered
• Import

Reviews (12)

Possibly the best punk album of them all!
Sure, the Pistols "Bollocks" caused more commotion and who can forget the Clash, but if you've never heard Rattus, you NEED to check it out.I absolutely wore out my vinyl copy back in the day.
A Masterpiece From Head to Toe
Since the punk era, when I required perfection from the imperfection, Rattus Norvegicus came to me "heaven sent". I've got then a version with all the tunes, including Who Wants The World. Since then I worshipped Hammond keyboard sounds. Compact, daring, challenge, explosive and perfect, almost all tunes are my favorite (except Peaches that was its best single). One tune comes perfectly one after the other, Princess Of The Streets is the "intruder" blues maybe the most intense, soulful tune of the album. Sometimes, Goodbye Toulouse, Hanging Around are a strong chain of dynamic, chorus tunes to learn and sing and kick ass. Get A Grip On Yourself is too perfect, too sophisticated (who plays the sax/trumpet in the chorus? it's brilliant!). Ugly is the ugliest but is also cool. Down in the Sewer I adore it, specially the Rat Race final part, it's the masturbation part of the album and an awesome skin-crisping end. Bravo!

One of the true classics
When I was growing up in London in the 70's punk hit like a smack in the mouth and where I was there were two albums you bought, forget the Sex Pistols, even then they smacked of all hype and no substance, you were either a Clash or a Stranglers man (boy more accurately). And I bought The Clash, and, well, I rue that decision to this day.
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Subjects:  1. British Punk    2. New Wave    3. Pop    4. Pop/Rock    5. Punk    6. Rock    7. Rock & Roll    8. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (17)

good compilation for a decent price
I bought this 5 cd set years ago and I still get it out often.True, I wasn't familiar with all of the songs (which is strange since I was a teenager in the 80's), but there are enough great songs to justify the purchase.
Awesome collection of hits that aren't run of the mill!
The Living In Oblivion series of CD compilations does something that many similar compilations do NOT do: they give us some great variety of "hits".
For the 80s new wave fan
I remember all of these songs and love most of them! But, I am not looking for mainstream 80s stuff, a lot of the songs on the Living in Oblivion series were hits on MTV or in the postpunk/new wave clubs or college radio.Anyone who hit these types of clubs at the time should know these.A great collection for the true fan of new wave/club music. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 80's    2. Alternative Dance    3. Alternative Pop/Rock    4. British Punk    5. Club/Dance    6. Dance Music    7. Dance-Pop    8. New Romantic    9. New Wave    10. Pop    11. Pop/Rock    12. Popular Music    13. Post-Punk    14. Punk    15. Punk-Pop    16. Rock    17. Synth Pop   

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (11)

Boats n' Planes n' all those things
The seminal album of the British New Wave often compared to The Beatles " Revolver " which is unfortunate - this is way beyond that.

The Jam's Best Album
I think these people who give this CD 3 or 4 stars are nuts! This is the Jam's best album, none of the songs are weak. If you are looking into the Jam this (and All Mod Cons) is the place to start!
Fantastic...
Ok this was completely breat-taking back when it came out. The Jam had progressed musically in a way that was almost unprecedented in all of rock's history. Going from simple punk rock beginnings (or pub rock actually) to this masterpiece was quite an incredible achievement. Sonically and melodically it is also the most accomplished record of the New Wave era (even if now many would disagree on calling it that but back then all post-punk bands were labelled so). Unfortunately the Jam would somehow disappoint with their later recordings and never would fill out the promise heard here. They could have become the best rock group ever. However Paul Weller chose to explore more r'n'b or jazz paths later on...with in my opinion less success. Boy about town, that's entertainment, are simply fantastic songs. My favourite remains the powerful Pretty Green. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. British Punk    2. England    3. Mod Revival    4. New Wave    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (3)

The sophmore slump. Even the Banshees had one
The follow up to The Banshees' debut album is a so-so affair. The band were low on material and being pressured for a new album. It didn't help that the band were divided into two camps by this point - Sioux and Severin on one side, John and Kenny on the other. The result is a very difficult album.