Editorial Review

The final album by the Clash's original Strummer/Jones incarnation is also their most inconsistent. There were musical and ideological rifts developing within the band, and it shows: the experimentation is almost as wild as Read more

Reviews (102)

THE CLASH/ WHATS NOT TOO LIKE
I will admit I have mixed feelings for this album. I'm shure many other clash fans feel the same. while some claim this is the album that ruined their career, others will say that it is their finest work. I personally think this album is very good, but not the same or nearly as good as their two first albums. The clash after having exploded in the punk scene, they moved on to break music barriars. While I miss their original style, its hard not to appreciate theirtheir later work. No matter what which part of their career you look at, you are for shure absorbing some good music. Rest in peace Joe Strummer. We can't be certain about these kind of things but I really hope he made it.

The Clash - COMBAT ROCK (1982)
The final album to feature the full Clash group - Mick Jones was fired and replaced on 1985's CUT THE CRAP - COMBAT ROCK is also commonly referred to as the album on which The Clash "sold out". The group changed their sound from punk rock to new wave, losing much - but not all - of their fire in the process. Their strategy, if you want to call it that, worked; they scored their biggest hit ever with the dance/funk tune "Rock the Casbah" and COMBAT ROCK shot to the top of both the U.K. and U.S. charts. There's a number of other greats here, such as the similarly funked-out "Overpowed By Funk", the reggae-tinged "Straight to Hell" and "Car Jamming", the strong opening track "Know Your Rights", and the laid-back saxophone-filled "Sean Flynn". The rest of the songs are good, but lack the punch - the aforementioned "fire" - of previous Clash compositions. COMBAT ROCK continues to explore different musical styles, and though the result isn't as impressive as the earlier Clash releases, it's still a fun and well-made album.

The final album by the Strummer/Jones Clash.
I think it's a bit steep to call this the worst album by The Clash. The fact that they could achieve commercial success while still making very interesting and original music (unlike my least favourite album, "Give 'Em Enough Rope") makes this quite a valid album, especially with suchmusical escapades as "Sean Flynn" and immediately catchy material like the two songs - you know which, "Car Jamming", and "Straight to Hell".
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Subjects:  1. British Punk    2. Hard Rock    3. New Wave    4. Pop    5. Punk    6. Rock    7. Rock & Roll   

Editorial Review

Before Jackson decided he was an artiste and began experimenting with big-band swing and classical music, he was a snotty punk who looked at other people's relationships with a jaundiced eye. His 1979 debut contains several of his best-known hits--"Sunday Papers," "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" and "Fools in Love," plus under-recognized classics like "Baby Stick Around." The simple four-man rock & roll sound suits Jackson's young voice perfectly, and the songs have a pop snap that Jackson unfortunately abandoned as his career progressed.Read more

Reviews (19)

You Gotta Look Sharp!
It's easy for many -- especially music industry writers -- to dismiss Joe Jackson as a pop musician who possessed nothing more than delusions of grandeur, due to his forays into jazz and classical shortly after his first two smash albums. A pompous musician, or a true artist? Regardless of what side you're on, there's one thing you can't deny: Joe Jackson was/is one crafty, talented S.O.B., and I feel he's a force to be reckoned with.
Joe's electrifying debut--brilliant songwriting that beats Costello at his own game
Joe Jackson's debut album "Look Sharp!" was recorded in 1978 & originally released in January of 1979, & what a superb debut it is. Yes, the similarity between Jackson and Elvis Costello (the latter of whom already had two albums out prior to 1979) are inevitable, but Joe simply had Elvis beat in terms of both vocal power and sheer songwriting ability.
you can't beat this for a buck...
I've really gotten my money's worth from Joe Jackson.I obtained my first copy of 'Look Sharp!' in 1979 when a local FM radio station aired the disc seamlessly as their feature album one Sunday evening.My cassette recorder happened to be running at the time.I was quite surprised at the sustained appeal and energy that flowed from the recording.Now I've pick up the same excellent set of tracks for a buck plus delivery fees.Sorry, Joe.If it makes you feel better, I plunked down real cash for a vinyl of your second release 'I'm the Man'.If you're not familiar with the 'Look Sharp!', don't let the marked-down price deceive you... it's quality exceeds that of CD's selling for ten times the price.
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Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. British Punk    3. England    4. New Wave    5. Pop    6. Pop/Rock    7. Popular Music    8. Rock    9. Rock/Pop    10. Singer/Songwriter   

Reviews (9)

Great
If your a fan of bands like The Dead Kennedys, Then your gonna like this band.
Greatest of the Greats
I don't care who you are, but if you like music with an incredible message that satirizes society and really makes you think; then you want to buy this cd and drink up Dick's every word. The Subhumans are an amazing band that really puches you in the gut with every word and chord. Plus, it is great to freak out your Jappy cousin or your over zealous parents. You might also want to pick up The Day the Country Died also, but Time Flies/Rats is my favourite cd 'cos it is a bit heavier. Cheers mates!!

Great cd. Totally worth your money.
AS i said about 'the day the country died', this music has a deep characteristic to it. It has a great deal of political satire and greatly crafted lyrics. songs like "work-rest-play-die" are so deep and meaningful, unlike (and don't get me wrong, i love other punk too) a lot of other punk stuff: "You can go blue in the face talking about the human race
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Subjects:  1. British Punk    2. Pop    3. Punk    4. Rock   

Features

• Extra tracks
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (7)

As fast and snarling as a hot rod!
* * FYI - The title of this album is TEENAGE DEPRESSION, NOT 'Life On The Line' as indicated in the above Amazon heading...If you like the Undertones and the Buzzcocks, you'll love this - Blazing rock'n'roll recorded live at the Marquee and in the studio 1976. I played my orginal vinyl LP to death, so it's great to finally have this on CD. The LP had 12 tracks; This has those plus 11 extras. Brits Eddie & The Hotrods- Barrie Masters (vocals), Dave Higgs (guitar), Steve Nicol (drums), Paul Gray (bass) played pre-Punk R&R with a hint of Pub Rock and more than a nod and a wink to '60s garage bands, plus sped-up covers of ? and The Mysterians ("96 Tears"), The Who ("The Kids Are Alright"), Van Morrison/Stones ("Gloria/Satisfaction" - yes,it works!), but the real surprise is a driving version of Bob Seger's "Get Out of Denver". Their original numbers are not too shabby either; "Get Across To You" should/could have been a hit single. 8-page booklet is informative. No frills rock'n'roll!

British Pub Rock, fast and loud!
Eddie and the Hot Rods were a pub rock band.But their style of classic old school rock made them popular amongst punk bands such as The Damned.They even toured with each other during the early days of the U.K. punk movement.One of the members of the Hot Rods (teenage bassist Paul Gray) would later join the Damned!
First rate early punk rock
The Hotrods were an early UK punk group, high energy, but essentially a revved up mid-sixties sound. They were not a revival group, nor were they a full blown "punk" group ala The Damned or The Ramones. It's difficult to explain, but this is a great record, including early 45's, first LP, and several later singles.
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Subjects:  1. British Punk    2. New Wave    3. Pop    4. Power Pop    5. Pub Rock    6. Punk    7. Rock    8. Rock & Roll    9. Rock/Pop   

Features

• Limited Edition
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (7)

The Bitter End
In it defense it was slightly ahead of it's time. Produced by Tony Visconti & Godley & Creme who would not much later employ the same production values with New Romantics such as Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, Ultravox and make it work, V Deep is one of those albums that has grown better with age. As a departure for The Rats I thought and still do that this album has stood the test of time in similar ways The StranglersLa Folie and Billy Idols Whiplash Smile branched them out and beyond the flag of convenience ofthe UK New Wave / Punk thing. For some it worked, Idol, The Police, Depeche Mode ( listen to the Vince Clarke inspired " Talking in Code " )for mostly the others it did not. This is a good collection and The Bitter End, Little Death, Charmed Lives are truly the last good songs Gob penned before he embarked on annoying the hell out of the rest of us but mostly himself.

This CD Is A Classic
You may be disappointed if you are looking for the hard rock of their early albums, but anyone with an open mind will treasure this album.Great songwriting from beginning to end."He Watches It All", "A Storm Breaks", and all the great singles make this a must have.The only weak link is "Talking In Code", which is easily skipped.

Worst Rats album by a landslide
I can not recommend this CD in any way, shape, or form.The Rats started to lose steam with "Mondo Bongo", but "V Deep" saw the Rat machine come to a grinding halt.Good God what an awful record! Gerry Cott saw the ship sinking and jumped off just in time.The horns killed the Rats!!!!!!
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Subjects:  1. British Punk    2. College Rock    3. Ireland    4. New Wave    5. Pop    6. Punk    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Judged against the exceptional standards of the group's own catalog, this album is not so good. The Buzzcocks, after all, invented and perfected a very smartass, insanely catchy ideal of poppy, ultra-energetic punk rock and half your favorite bands have stolen from them liberally. But judged against other reunion records, it's definitely a fun album, and is easily their best post-breakup album. Steve Shelley's infamous high-pitched vocals sound more like a strange old geezer than a hyperactive kid, but that should not come as much of a surprise. Not surprisingly, the lyrics range from society to love. The songs are mostly mid-tempo, pleasant punk rock. You could do a lot worse, but they could do a lot better. Read more

Reviews (2)

Respectable reunion-era album
This sounds pretty much like the last one, the self-titled "Buzzcocks." It shares the ups and downs of the other records released by the 90s-00s Shelley/Diggle/Barker/Barber line-up. This band's sound can't be compared with the 70's original four; it's like 1972 Velvets vs. the 1966 Warhol-era line-up, or The Fall now vs. 1978! That is, similarities remain, the lead singer(s) are still identifiable and appealing, but also the production's shifted and the sound's more radio-friendly--to a degree among "cult" bands--where I place Buzzcocks proudly.
Great hooks, crunch and vocals.
The Buzzcocks really have no right to be putting out albums as good as their last few at this point in their career, but I'm sure glad they do. I thought their last, self-titled album was an incredible and glorious punk rock album. This one isn't quite so good, but it's still head and shoulders above most punk bands half their age. I know of no other band that so perfectly balances the melodic and the bombastic. No, it's not "Singles Going Steady", but it's well worth the price. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. British Punk    2. England    3. Pop    4. Punk    5. Punk Revival    6. Rock   

Editorial Review

Elvis Costello kicked off his debut album with a formal device that would also serve his next two long-players well: the first thing you hear is his voice. That opening phrase--"Now that your picture's in the paper..."--was more than sneakily, if not intentionally, appropriate, since Costello was quickly declared the second coming. It's become de rigueur to dis the pub-rock backing of U.S. band Clover, but their work here is satisfactorily edgy; guitarist John McFee makes some of the arrangements with his wailingly articulate fills. The Rykodisc CD restores the album's British sequence, adds the eternal "Watching the Detectives," and kicks in a slew of bonus tracks, including the intriguing "Honky Tonk" demos. Read more

Features

• Extra tracks

Reviews (36)

the birth of the cool
When I was a senior in high school, Elvis Costello came out with My Aim is True, and it totally blew us all away with its cynical, on-the-money lyrics and terrific pop hooks.With heavy radio rotation of songs such as (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes (which I made sure to get not long afterward), Alison, and Watching the Detectives, as well as Welcome to the Working Week, Mystery Dance, and Radio Sweetheart, Elvis was suddenly all over the FM dial, and we heard tell of concerts in which the 'angry young man' named Declan McManus spit on his audiences and told them off.A real regret was not getting to see him play live the first time he toured here, which I didn't have the opportunity to do 'til 1983, and a couple of times thereafter - always excellent shows, I might add (alas, no spitting).I have such specific memories of riding in a car singing Watching the Detectives and listening to these tunes while crossing the Long Island Sound by ferry on a trip to Shelter Island in New York on an early summer morning, Elvis' music the indelibly-etched soundtrack to that period that will forever play in my mind.Since this LP, Elvis has gone on, as we all know, to explore and master many genres of music, but - even given his wonderful subsequent work with Burt Bacharach - none hold as much power and meaning for me, even twenty five plus years on, as this LP does.Long live this King!!

One of the top 10 albums ever produced.
There is very few albums that compare to this masterpiece. Every track is superb. One of the top 10 albums ever produced. Intelligent and quick witted lyrics, addictive melodies and clean pure energy, this album has it all.
Just great songs
I remember having a very bad image of Elvis, lumping him into the "new wave" phenomenon for years.Then I finally listened to this cd.The songs are nothing short of incredible.Not a bad one in the bunch.The production is stark but that just enhances the power of the tunes to stand out on their own without gimmicks.I'm not sure he ever made another album as complete as this one, though I followed him through several more excellent lps.This one's a definite keeper. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. British Punk    2. College Rock    3. England    4. New Wave    5. Pop    6. Pop/Rock    7. Popular Music    8. Pub Rock    9. Punk    10. Rock    11. Rock & Roll    12. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

Wire's debut is the smartest record of the '77 punk explosion, a formally seamless suite of 21 songs in 35 minutes, edited to the bone and graced with allusive, thoughtful lyrics, howled by Colin Newman like political slogans. The band's crisp, precise snap gets an awful lot of mileage out of their three-and-a-half chords, and their attack never lets up. The album's minimal structures and snarly guitar sound are still hugely influential ("12XU" has been covered many times, and Elastica's "Connection" is basically a rewrite of "Three Girl Rhumba"), and its sequence is so perfect that the band that opened for Wire on their reunion tour ten years later simply played Pink Flag straight through, including between-song pauses. Read more

Reviews (43)

a seminal band for a reason, and it all started with this album
Really, what more can I say about Wire's Pink Flag that hasn't already been said? The album is so good, so burned in the retina of my brain (even though I still cannot for the life of us unscramble Graham Lewis' lyrics), so nearly perfect that it's sort of hard to write about. In a perfect world, whatever nonsense I may have to say about the record would be moot, as you should already own this record (along with Chairs Missing and 154, Wire's second and third albums respectively). But for those of you who may be enraptured by the recent flurry of post-punk revivalists who continue to make quite a stir, let the reissue campaign of the first three records introduce you to the band that Interpol, Maximo Park, Franz Ferdinand, and Bloc Party only wish they could be.
Limey Art Punk
This 23 song CD by Limey art punkers is a must own for any serious punk fan.There is nothing in The Ramones, Clash, Sex Pistols, Gang Of Four, Talking Heads, and Television catalogs that this can't compete with. And the fact that Wire managed to find its own voice in such a crowded and talented punk scene with such competency is downright astonishing, if not miraculous.
Punk heaven
Out of all the major punk albums, this one might be the most original. As with most British punk albums, the vocals are barely audible, but no matter-the relentless energy and passion make up for any misgivings there may be. Although the vocals are hard to understand, the vocal phrasing is pitch-perfect; Colin Newman's singing here has the assurance of Roger Daltry in his prime. As far as Pink Flag goes, it is one of those albums that just doesn't let up. From the swaggering confidence of "It's So Obvious" to the catchy grooves of "Three Girl Rhumba", this is one of the most essential of punk albums. It is ironic that an album this artsy can also offer such a good time. It's best not to pay any attention to the lyrics because they serve only the melody, yes, melody, of the guitar lines. This isn't Bob Dylan, this is 1977 British punk. Lyrics aside, let me just tell you that unlike most amateurish punk bands, these guys can play. Pink Flag does not even remotely resemble a debut album, these guys sound like they have been playing for years. The originality and passionate consistency of this album puts a smile on my face every time I hear it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. British Punk    2. England    3. Experimental Rock    4. Pop    5. Post-Punk    6. Punk    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (2)

Because it's a comp of UK artists...
...that'd be the reason there's no Paul Collins.

This CD does it itself.....
No words can describe my love for this compliation....it's been a weekly listening staple of mine for many years. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 70's    2. British Punk    3. New Wave    4. Pop/Rock    5. Popular Music    6. Power Pop    7. Pub Rock    8. Punk    9. Rock    10. Rock & Roll   

Reviews (2)

Awkward, Jarring and Angular Pop!
The Soft Boys debut A Can Of Bees is the easily the hardest album
Hitchcock's first hits hard and weird 20 years later
Collecting the three different versions of the immortal Soft Boy's first album on cd was quite an accomplishment... And it's a shame that Rykodisc's contract to release it are up.If you're a Hitchcock fan, it's a must."Leppo and the Jooves", "Human Music", and many more are collected here.This was Hitchcock at his hardest, and when it works it is something to hear.Of course, not all of it works, but if this is your thing, you won't mind a bit.Hitchcock's "fishy" lyrics are both sardonic and strange, but crank it up and enjoy!And get it while you can! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. British Punk    3. College Rock    4. Jangle Pop    5. Neo-Psychedelia    6. New Wave    7. Pop    8. Popular Music    9. Post-Punk    10. Rock   

Editorial Review

The second in-concert set from punk-rock's answer to The Who cannibalizes the first Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (4)

There Was Only 1 Band That Mattered In 1979...
This excellent companion of sorts to the earlier Live CD "Dig The New Breed" was a gift for the fans coming as a long playing
More great live tracks from the Jam
This is a terrific addition to the Jam catalogue. Featuring 24 tracks recorded between 1979-1982 this is a great companion to Dig The New Breed (no songs appear on both records so I advise any fans to pick up both albums). The Jam were truly an exceptional live group and any fan will love this cd.

Punks to the end...
The Jam may have evolved out of the 1976-77 British punk movement into slick studio hit-makers, but onstage they remained punks to the bitter end.Read more

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

Features

• Import

Reviews (2)

Great album just got better+
I had the "best of" album a while ago, and I loved it then, but then unfortunately lost it.When I saw that they had not only re-released the album, but added on the live cd, I knew I had to check it out.If you love Brittish Oi!, then you will love these cds.Even if you like punk, or just merely Rock n' Roll, you should give this album a shot.And most of all, if you are a fan of The Business, then you will love this album.Though there are a few other songs like "Handball" that I would like to see on this album, it has pretty much every song I love from The Business."Never Say Never" is much better than the original on the studio cd, and you can never go wrong with "Drinking and Driving", "Welcome To The Real World", as well as the popular favorites of "Harry May", "Loud, Proud, & Punk", and "Smash The Discos".

Very Raw Live Recordings.
This album is very good and the more I listen to it the more I like The Business' style. It does however contain lots of live recordings which is awesome in many ways but sounds raw and unpolished. Makes you wich you were at the shows. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Britain    2. British Punk    3. Hardcore Punk    4. Oi!    5. Punk   

Reviews (13)

Pretty Much All You Need
The Jam are one of my favorite bands. They're also largely a singles band, something fans more rabid than I are loathe to admit. With some bands, it's worth the while to be a completist. With The Jam, this CD should be more than enough for anyone. I can see why the vinyl geeks would complain that, say, Eaton Rifles is from a concept album, but who really cares? It stands fine on its own. The songs on here were picked in such a way that you get the best combination of the band's great musicianship and Paul Weller's lyricism.If you appreciate Punk Rock, Mod Beat, Britpop, or just well played, energetic, tuneful music, this is an essential buy.

Soulful Modern Rock
Great music.The best of the Jam's music is summarized on this CD and on "The Jam Collection".It's a great set of songs, played with passion and precision.

Still the best single-disc Jam compilation available
Here's yet another misunderstood relic from the early days of the CD format that drives many folks into conniptions. What many of today's music buyers don't seem to realize is that CD pressing plants initially could not guarantee that discs longer than 60-65 minutes in length would play properly on all CD players. Combined with the trappings of the industry's own hype (which touted the CD's 74-minute storage capacity), labels tried wherever possible to make sure all albums released on the CD format would fit on a single disc. Read more

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

Features

• Box set

Reviews (1)

Worth every cent
I personnaly did not buy this set, but rather the three discs separately. This is incredible music for such a low price! My jaw droped the first time I saw London Calling on sale for $8, it's a classic CD that everyone should own. This set shows the progression of the band as they go from punk foreruners to reggae explorers. The drastic changes in The Clash's style may not be for everyone, but the amount of classic tracks from "Police and Theives" to "London Calling" to "Should I stay or Should I go" make this great set worth it. ... Read more

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

Features

• Limited Edition
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (5)

Their Most Powerful Work
Yes the track order of these re-issues is idiotic and is as though they found the worst running order possible to irritate fans.They knew customers would then give it 3 stars and the CD would be destined to continue to sell terribly.That said there is a program function on every CD player.It takes a full minute to program the old track order.I can easily see why the Rats are pessimistic.They do receive the worst luck possible.They were unfairly ripped on by the British Press and even now little things like getting three star ratings from those that consider this a classic 5 star CD because the tracks aren't in their original order and nothing else continue to plague them.This is a classic CD that should start out with the inspirational positive anthem that is one of the most powerful songs ever recorded, "A Hold Of Me", a perfect lead off track.Follow this with "Draggin Me Down", which continues with unbridled passion leading into the single, "Dave", another classic that is truly heart wrenching.The next two songs have grown on me, but are the only ones I would consider filler. Side two is perfect from beginning to end.A true masterpiece that will be completely ignored except by a few, who like me, will treasure this masterpiece.

Best for Last?
The Boomtown Rats have given music lovers in the US yet another opportunity to ignore them.Didn't help that the first time around, late 70s and early 80s, the band's relations with US radio gotoff to a lovely start when Geldof set out on a promotional tour and seemed bent on alienating every radio programming director he met.
Good album, another strange track order...
Like four of the other remasters, this album's track order deviates from both the US AND UK releases of the album. Why? Good question...but that's why I remove a star.
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Subjects:  1. British Punk    2. College Rock    3. Ireland    4. New Wave    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Following the pop-punk genius that is Read more

Features

• Deluxe Edition
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (4)

Black n' Damned
Thank God! Finally what all of us BiG Beat cd owning fans have been waiting for since the 80's!! I went through 2 of those cds and have 3 copies on vinyl (IRS US, Chiswick UK and Chiswick Italian). I dumped all of my Damned Big Beat vinyl, can't have damned re-releases can we? W/ that said this is THE Ultimate Black Album, compiles all the b-sides that could have made up a 4th album side....back in the days of cassetes I made a compilation a re-sequenced the songs.NowI'll be able to do that again...What a blast from the past....This may be the Damned at their finest.Totally essential.

Finally a relevant reissue!!!
This is the 6th time in my life I have purchased this album, but the first time I've been 100 percent satisfied with the overall sound of it. This re-issue even sounds better than the original 2-record gatefold vinyl! Definitely a world of difference from the Big Beat re-issue of the early 90's... which to my knowlege is the only previous CD issue of this album.
i agree with the previous reviewer
its about time this forgotten album was released the correct way..the music sounds much better here than on the old one...you can actually listen to it without turning the volume way up to the highest notch...well so far so good..they are on a roll re-mastering damned albums..their debut, music for pleasure, recently along with this one machine gun etiquette and strawberries were issued on super bonus editions..hell, even their half album "im alright jack and the beanstalk" was reissued...now if we can only get "phantasmagoria" and "anything" remastered...their album anything is even selling for 50 bucks or something on here..and its used!..oh well i cannot complain. the guys at chiswick know what their customers want well..im very pleased with this. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. British Punk    2. England    3. Goth Rock    4. Pop    5. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    6. Punk    7. Rock   

Reviews (2)

Almost perfect
Martin Hannett was very very important in thr first post-punk years. He indeed seems to have produced almost everybody of note. On this CD you will find the Buzzcocks, Joy Division, U2, The Happy Mondays, New Order and Nico! One big problem is that there is really quite a bit of overlap with the also excellent North by North West compilation. At least the Buzzcocks, the Slaughter and the Dogs and the John Cooper Clarke numbers are on both samplers. This is probably due to contractual release issues but it does diminish the impact of both these nice collections. A the other reviewer wrote this would have been a great opportunity to have some really rare stuff, plus also some of Magazine's best efforts.This compilation while very good should have been perfect due to the quality of the material he has produced.

A Certain Disorder In The Treble Range
The above title is how Hannett vaguely characterized his visionary production technique. But as any Joy Division fan will tell you, it's actually both simpler and more complex. Unlike most rock producers who emphasize the vocal and guitar parts, Hannett placed his seminal, digitally-treated drum sound at the front of the mix, with a melodic yet inorganic bass guitar just behind it. This literally turns conventional record-production methods back to front, destabilizing and enhancing the listener's perspective. The air of mystery is further increased through the use of icy synthesizers, and whatever strange implements, weird echoic effects, and random noise-producing items Hannett could lay hands on. He never tried to replicate what he heard with his ears; his talent lay in reproducing the unheard music inside himself. In this sense, Hannett was really the heir to the idiosyncratic and adventurous Joe Meek, Britain's first and oddest independent record producer.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Dance    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. British Punk    4. Madchester    5. Pop    6. Post-Punk    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop Collections   

Features

• Import

Reviews (1)

Fine "Best Of" For Band That Bridged Pub & Punk Rock
Eddie And The Hot Rods were the last of the true Pub-Rock bands. By the time the Hot Rods' 1976 debut album appeared, pub-rock was breathing it's final gasps. Very soon, the punk onslaught overwhelmed the remaining pubbers. Eddie and The Hot Rods were able to hang on longer than the others, largely because their faster tempos and higher energy were more in line with the punk ethic. (Dr. Feelgood also managed to survive for largely the same reasons.) They tried to catch the wave and present themselves as a punk band, but listening to their recorded output makes it quite clear they had more kinship with the pub-rock crowd. But they managed to record three pretty fine albums (as well as one pretty mediocre swan song) and last until 1981. Along the way they scored a big hit with the classic "Do Anything You Wanna Do". Other choice cuts include "Teenage Depression", "Quit This Town", and "Power And The Glory". The best of the Hot Rods' brief lifespan can be found on this excellent compilation. Note: This collection does NOT include any material from various reunion projects that occurred between 1984 to 1996. And that is as it should be; the true heyday of the band was 1975 to 1979, the period covered in this set. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. British Punk    2. New Wave    3. Pop    4. Pop/Rock    5. Power Pop    6. Pub Rock    7. Punk    8. Rock    9. Rock/Pop   

Features

• Original recording reissued

Reviews (8)

Best of The Jam
This is in my opinion, the definitive work of The Jam.
With 9 Bonus Tracks, This Is The Jam's Finest Hour
The Jam's November 1979 release Setting Sons is generally considered to be one of their 3 best albums.Inexplicably, however, it is also considered to be the weakest of those three.The only reason for this seems to be that it is neither All Mod Cons (its predecessor) nor Sound Affects (its successor), their other two great albums.Sadly, this underrating of Setting Sons obscures the fact that it contains some of the band's best material and one of their finest singles.(Why only one? Because the 3 other brilliant songs from this era were released as singles but no