"Nothing ever quite dies, it just comes back in a different form," Lester Bangs once wrote. And while I agree with the point he was making, I'm not sure this is such an absolute rule. To be fair, when we're discussing certain musical genres such as we did last week, what's old is new again and vice versa. Revivalists rule, or so it would seem.
But this week, we're going to draw a line in the sand and blatantly go out on a limb and profess that insofar as the 70's are concerned--and with Punk in general--no amount of revivalism will ever better the initial inspired anarchy. And it should be mentioned that there were two unique forces at work, both Stateside and in the UK. Each fueled the other akin to the creative rivalry that was The Beatles -vs- The Beach Boys. And while we're all aware The Beatles took the crown in that contest (...ahem) can it be said that Iggy and his ilk bested Lydon's lynch mob -- or was it the other way around? Hm.
So, let the debate begin...this week we'll focus entirely on the bands spawned Stateside and next week the UK's under the microscope. Some of these tracks will seem remedial for certain, but as the days progress, we'll have assembled a pretty nifty playlist that's truly: never to be bested. (...Now, ...where did I leave that safety pin...?)
Richard Hell & The Voidoids - Blank Generation (Mp3)
Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop (Mp3)
Pere Ubu - Final Solution (Mp3)
Television - Little Johnny Jewel (Mp3)
The Modern Lovers - Roadrunner (Mp3)
7 comments:
Ooh, I'm going to like this one...
jon, jon, jon...can we get some more female vocals in here? i know they released their debut album in 1980 but X formed in the late 70s! or are you saving that for later this week (c'monnnnnn!)?
...you're up!
Punk gift was breaking down the mainstream at the time- the dinosaurs of Rock. BUT for the most part it (especially in the UK) just replaced it with stylized pub rock- blah. The important part was it's philosophy which means that PILs first 2 LPs were miles better the Nevermind the Bullocks. Also is Television really punk? Marquee Moon is SO smartly played it's post-punk in it's sound. There's no way 3 chorded guitarists could pull this one off. If it came out today... There's a reason why this LP is so highly lauded and influential. EASILY in my favorites of all time- start to finish. Shamus
I'm so excited for this theme too! I agree that on Marquee Moon Television sound way more clever and future-forward than many of their punk contemporaries.
All five of these are better than anything the Sex Pistols ever did. I always prefered the US arty approach to the UK thrash approach.
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