Quote:
I was wondering...I've really been getting into this punk/post-punk thing and have recently picked up a couple CDs that you've mentioned. I just got Singles going Steady a week or two ago and before that I got Skylarking (not exactly punk at all but I love the band). I own Entertainment! and Solid Gold by Gang of Four and really enjoy them. My question is, if I really like this punk/post-punk stuff (esp. Gang of Four), what more should I get? I've heard Drums & Wires, Black Sea, and English Settlement are all worth owning, what's your take? And what other bands are there in the Gang of Four/Buzzcocks vein? I've got Marquee Moon as well which is more singular than anything else I've mentioned, in my opinion, but what else from 1977 onwards? |
I'll take a crack at it:
All XTC is GREAT, but they evolved a lot over the years. Except for fist two albums White Music and Go 2, and Mummer which aren't essential. I'd rank them in following order:
1. Black Sea
2. English Settlement
3. Skylarking
4. Apple Venus Vol. 1
5. Big Express
6. Drums & Wires
7. Nonsuch
8. Oranges and Lemons
Look for the recent remasters on caroline.
Joy Division:
This legendary group is a MUST. Once you hear one, you're just going to want them all. Best bet is the box set Heart + Soul, contains virtually all their recorded output. In lieu of that, 1995 comp Permanent. Their original albums (only 2 of them, but lots of extra material exists that's just as good) have not been remastered yet.
The Cure:
Great post-punk mope-rock band with great pop songs. Entire catalog being remastered soon. They have two comps out now that have good sound, Galore from 1997, and a more recent comp, I forget the title.
Wire:
Classic 1st 3 albums: Pink Flag, Chairs Missing, and 154. Available in remastered form, I believe they are from '94. Anyway, they have lots of bonus tracks, make sure to hunt these down, earlier ones don't sound as good.
No Thanks! The Punk Rock rebellion 4Cd box set on Rhino. Darn near definitive box set (minus Sex Pistols) of the whole thing. Typical excellent Rhino mastering quality, despite most of the recordings being sketchy quality.
Ramones: Hey Ho Let's Go 2CD anthology on Rhino. Fun stuff, irresistable!
The Clash: 2CD Essential Clash on Sony from a couple years ago. Some of the best rock ever made.
Talking Heads: Once In A Lifetime 3CD box set, the only way to go for this group, fantastic Bob ludwig remastering.
Public Image LTD.-- The group they invented the term "post punk" for as this is Johnny Rotten's band after Sex Pistols. Check out the 3CD Plastic Box compilation.
Elvis Costello-- check out the recent 2CD best of on Rhino.
The Fall- 50,000 Fall Fans Can't Be Wrong, 2CD compilation. UK Punk rock's poet laureate.
Patti Smith-- Land 2CD compilation. USA's punk rock poet laureate.
The Jam-- recent best of comp, forget the title.
Sheesh I could go on and on. So much good classic music from this era.