In the days when artists can agonise for years over their works, it’s refreshing to return to an era when two albums in a year were nothing unusual, although perhaps two as good as this and follow up Love Bites (also on this CD, but by the rules I make up and change at will, I’m doing as two separate entities) was unusual.
I first became aware of Buzzcocks when showcased by Tony Wilson on Granada Reports - the local teatime news programme which regularly found five minutes for new bands - and they were clearly more than your average punk band.
There’s lots to enjoy on this album, from the opener Fast Cars, the exciting You Tear Me Up, a fine guitar solo in Get On Our Own, the frantic Love Battery and the chaos of Sixteen.
The second half opens with the single I Don’t Mind, sounding more fully formed than what’s preceded it, but leaving what follows feeling a bit flat, although I Need and Moving Away From The Pulsebeat liven things up at the end.
All in all, while there’s some great stuff, it still feels like a band searching for their final sound. Do they find it? Let’s get straight into Love Bites!
3* - an exciting and interesting debut
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