Germfree Adolescents

Wow! What a kickass album. I love the vocalist and the shitty saxophone. Girl punks > Boy punks

My new favorite pastime is reading reviews of punk albums on this site and finding all the reviews that complain about punk records being repetitive and the songs sounding the same. You guys crack me up. Seriously, never change. Maybe one day you’ll find the prog-punk masterpiece you’re after. In the meantime, I’ll be enjoying this X-Ray Spex record. It’s a classic.

Absolutely fresh as fuck punk. Love it. Can't believe I haven't heard of these guys before!

Proto-riot-grrrl English punks, with clear influences from the Sex Pistols and clear influences on 80's ska-punk bands. Catchy, with some inconsistent guitar effects choices.

Are you joking me? How have I not heard this before? A killer woman-led punk album with sax!? Hell yes. I can imagine they had a major influence on the riot grrrl movement! Loved it, but I wonder why the track listing is all cattywampus on Spotify. I took the official track listing from Wikipedia and just put the songs in that order in my queue. Listeners beware!

Simply, one of my favourite albums of any genre. Crackles with energy and possesses a spring and a bounce that is all too rare. Poly Styrene was an electric frontwoman. The saxophone should have featured more in punk. I'd give this six stars if I could

Hidden gem! I've never heard of this group before but this album speaks directly to my musical sensibilities and tastes. It's remarkable how much Poly Styrene's vocals remind me of Kathleen Hanna. I'm digging this so much. Plus, fuck yeah, saxophone!! I am instantly in love with this record and Poly Styrene. She is a punk goddess and badass feminist icon. Oh bondage up yours indeed!

I love this album, such a great sound. Polysyrene's voice is superb, adding saxophone to this kind of music sounds so good. I think X-Ray Spex aren't shouted about enough, they pop up in a lot of music books I read but they never seem to be front and centre, they are so good!

incredibly consistent woman-fronted punk album with some early new wave stylings (and a radass saxophone!)

I love this album. This was one of my favorite albums growing up and remains a favorite today. I’m sure that the combination of sax, nearly operatic screaming, and the punk aesthetic may seem odd at first listen, but part of the point of making a project of this album generator (and the point of listening to new music in general!) is to learn about the multitude of ways music speaks to a multitude of people. The seeming clash of sounds on Germ-Free Adolescents is purposeful. The sax may represent the traditional oldheads in British society, as it often is involved with a sort of mocking call and response to Poly Styrene’s vocals. This album’s primary theme is anti-consumerism — the clash of musical sounds lead to something that is, on its surface, not at all commercialized. It’s new, it’s odd, it’s art, and, yes, it’s punk at its core. Every song is a trip to the sky, where you find yourself looking at the world with a bird’s eye view, exploitative capitalist consumerist systems clearly at play. Musically and in its message, this album taught me so much when I first heard it in high school. There’s still much to be gleaned from it today. An easy 5.

Really enjoyed this one, energetic & driving guitars with sax blended in throughout. Unexpectedly amazing

Absolutely loved all of it. I've never heard of this band and this album is now one of my favorites. When it ended, I even listened to all the bonus tracks and then wanted to listen to their entire discography back to back... turns out they only made two albums.. and this is their only one on Spotify. That's the first time I've ever done that from what I remember. Whoever's that saxophonist, I hope he's alive and healthy. What a legend.

Touching on themes like capitalism, consumerism, scientific progress, advertising, young people, feminism, aging, fame, identity, and more. The critiques on this album are as sharp and relevant today as they were in 1978. All of that is tied together in a nice little punk/new-wave packaged with wicked saxophone accompaniments. The music has a kitschy theatrical feel to it that drives the message home even further. I honestly couldn't ask for anything more. I am reminded of The Peptides when listening to this. I had never heard of this band or album before, but this is a real gem, really glad to have found it. NOTE: Youtube Music does not have the tracks arranged in the proper release order :( Fav Tracks: Honestly ever track here is great. But if I have to choose: Plastic Bag, I Can't Do Anything, Identity

A classic. Thoughtful, early punk. When so many bands were busy being "weird" or "edgy" for edginess sake, they were the real deal. This album has held up very well throughout the years. Can hear who they've influenced over the years, from Bikini Kill to Rocket From the Crypt. I really need to revisit this one more often.

Not on Spotify but found it on YouTube. Doesn’t overstay it’s welcome. Great female fronted punk with a freaking saxophone! So many good melodies - I’m going 5 stars!!

FASCINANTE. Me encantó y no la vi venir. Punk bien punk de pendejos y mujeres que se cansaron del estereotipo de mujercita correcta. La verdad muy muy bueno. Se extiende un poco mas de lo que quisiera, pero no se hace imposible de terminar. Aparentemente es el unico que sacaron, asi que don't know. Me gusta mucho la voz que mezcla Patty Smith con Karen O, es imposible hacer la comparación. Las letras son super juveniles y bordean lo burlesco, para la epoca no era tan normal, pero resalta un monton. Faveadisimo. -El primer tema TIENE que haber sido la inspiracion de Edgar Wright para el opening de Scott Pilgrim.

Ended up really not liking this album. It was a struggle to get through every song. The singing was too much like yelling, the music had that classic same-y punk feel for me. Presence of the saxophone / other unique bits did not save this album for me.

Enjoyed this one. Solid punk album. The saxophone adds a neat touch. Visceral, angry all the good stuff that is required in a punk album. Will listen again.

Made me want to drink beer at a packed venue while listening to this. Cool punk album with hints of ska. The vocals are really something special. That said did i even listen to the right album? I just took the one on Spotify but now I see it seems to have quite a few different songs. Anyway, favorite tracks include "I Am a Poseur" and "Identity" with its cool sax. Nice album of a band I have never heard of.

Some great tracks. I can only imagine the reaction of parents when teenagers brought this record home, and played it loudly in their bedroom!

The band and the music were new for me. This was an interesting recommendation, with a mix of punk and new wave to the music. It felt like the music could fit in on a playlist with the Talking Heads, the B-52's, and the Pixies, while not being far away from the sounds of more well known punk bands like the Sex Pistols. A punk-ish sound that included saxophone was unexpected. The album was okay, but my individual track ratings started to dip as the album went on. I didn't hear enough variety with my first listen.

You gotta like the energy and relentless screaming. The singer sounds like a female version of Johnny Rotten. The saxophone, though a bit squeaky at times, gives them a bit of a Bowie/glammish feel underneath the punk ranting. It definitely sets their sound apart from their contemporaries. The opening track is a classic and the next five or six really rock. They took their foot off the gas for the title track, which was disappointing.

Its not a great album. Its interesting, and punk with a saxophone is different, and the lyrics are smart, but its not great. Or even good. 2/5

Kick ass. Never listened to this band before. I really enjoyed the energy of these songs. The vocals were great and the sax was a plus. The generator threw me a solid today.

Альбом был бы просто улучшенной версией Ramones, если бы не ебаный саксофон. Как он тут вообще оказался?)) Правда, это уже не важно, потому что он здесь прям как влитой.

I'm not usually into punk, because it's just so noisy and discordant, but as an example of the genre I think this is decent. There's some good grooves and riffs running through this, and it clearly has a lot of typical punk energy. It's way groovier and more musical than other punk albums, with the addition of the sax in particular. 3.5 rounded up.

It’s a shame their best song Oh Bondage Up Yours isn’t on Spotify- check it out on YouTube then listen to the rest of this album. A real punk stepping stone. And maybe Riot Grrl would exist without this, but most likely not. I’d make this 4.5 if I could.

I feel like I’ve come across Germ Free Adolescents somewhere before but I’m not sure where. It’s hard to know if I’ve heard of X-Ray Spex or if I’m just thinking of silly shows from my childhood where x-ray glasses were mentioned. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: I Am A Poseur, Warrior In Woolworths Firstly, I didn’t recognise the track Germ Free Adolescents at all so that topic stopped before it started. For the first few tracks, I was quite unsure about the music. The vocals felt quite grating initially - very British, and somewhat shrill. However, by the end of the album they had completely won me over and I was loving it, and was left wanting more as the closing track finished. It reminded me a bit of Siouxie and the Banshees, but I found this more enjoyable.

Is proto punk good because it’s a little more accessible? To me one of those albums where it just sounds like the band is having fun. The sound is a little less refined, which isn’t shocking for a first album, but it’s not unrefined to the point of disjointed. The band supports itself well with interesting bass/drum lines and the vocals put a bow on every song. And you know what? I’ll just say it. The sax is fun and a great call

Loving the shape of punk that was, dig the singer’s weirdly dreamy and detached energy and the instrument choices. I heard some sax, some other general winds, really fun to hear that mixing in with the usual punk guitar.

One digs the edginess, which feels authentic, if effortful. "Live Off of You" and "Warrior of Woolworths" are quality cuts, the latter's riffs and hooks make it sound like a different band almost, with some hooks that look glamly back to the '70s. The horns make the record. One finds the vocals a bit annoying after a time, but the level of creativity and commitment are legit, solid+.

Cannot believe I've not heard these guys before. Kick ass punk, a saxophone and a great vocalist. You can hear the Sex Pistols but they also have their own undeniable sound and style. Clearly a huge influence on many of the more modern ska/punk bands I grew up listening to.

What I really like about this is that the Sex Pistols and The Clash were pretty aggressive, but then X-Ray Spex took the same format and just had fun with it. I can't think of any genre that's so willing to take the piss out of itself so quickly.

A terribly under appreciated band, X-Ray Spex deserve much more than their usual odd mention on Punk Documentaries. Poly Styrene should be a poster girl for everyone, a true icon who makes you realise how insane this world is. When you see girls today saying that the likes of walking talking Daily Star advert Rihanna are their idols it makes you wonder what the fuck is going on. Poly strikes a blow here for intelligent females all over the world.

A very unexoted 4. Could this be the answer to my unanswered questions form the film American Beauty? Ah so this is the punk music I missed out on. Better than the sex pistols. Sounds like the sister act. But with better instruments. They took it seriously? Anyway... Yep. She has a kind of a voice and we'll stylaised.... Good brass and the drum kits gets a workout, and telling. it wants to woman does a better job . Funnest songs. THE DAY the world turns dayglo. ( I found my self humming "I am am an ar Christ...." Somehow) . How funny . By the time art-i-ficial came on I think I could like this guys despite it all... Where's my hair gel, safety pin, and tartan? It's fun. "my mind is like a plastic bag" is beautifully dernaged and she goes on to perform a wonderfully unhinged salute. Landmark. It this American beauty explained? She channels Bellatrix Lestrange for a moment ... Is Helena B.H. a time shifter too? What's that, cockney? But yes. Thanks for the Edyukation.

There aren’t that many original British punk albums that I can throw on & listen to from go to whoa these days, but this is definitely one of them. The ex has the vinyl but I have the 1991 Caroline cd, which changed the track listing and added 4 bonus tracks, including the iconic Oh Bondage Up Yours! and the wonderful I Am A Cliche. From the original album, the highlights for me are Identity & especially the title track, which shows how they could be be equally compelling when they slowed things down. Poly was a stunningly great front-person, but even though Lora Logic had been sacked from the band before the album was recorded, they used the sax charts she had drawn up for those songs, so she’s all over it & that horn sound was so influential in the post-punk years. I love this record. It still sounds fresh to me.

Never heard of them before. Wish I had. What a solid band from front to back. Love the horns as well, almost brings an element of ska to the punk. And with a name of Poly Styrene as the lead singer... this is awesome!

It's a great album. Poly Styrene is a great vocalist with a unique style, and the album is mostly thrashy fun. Warrior in Woolworths is such a great song. Even saxophone breaks can't ruin this record for me! A lot of good stuff, but then at the end, Germ Free Adolescent is a beautiful moment of vulnerability. That's a rare trait in punk, and it really works. Beautiful. Finally, I'm listening to the reissue, because to deny myself Oh Bondage Up Yours would be a sin.

Ah, Poly Styrene (RIP) and the gang! Great punk album this, Poly was and still is a feminist Icon, she took the bull by the horns and lead that group of Punk women who changed the face of Rock & Roll in the late 70's. I have this original vinyl in my collection, but first heard the band on the "Live At The Roxy" album where they did "Oh Bondage! Up Yours" a classic of the oeuvre! Highlights for me are "Warrior In Woolworths" (I can't believe there is a whole generation that have no understanding of what Woolworths meant to working class families!)

What an album...one great tune after another and refreshingly different from anything else at the time. My vinyl copy is an early British pressing and doesn't even include their most famous song Oh Bondage Up Yours, but amazingly Germ Free Adolescents does not suffer for its absence. 4.5 🌟

Get's straight to the point. A brilliant and varied selection of little punk gems. Came close to full marks but I still find a couple of tracks difficult to connect with. Germ Free Adolescents is a stone cold classic.

I was really excited to get this album, since I became acquainted with the band through their song "Oh Bondage, Up Yours" earlier this year and really liked it. This whole album is filled with a similar energy and approach to that song. There is something weirdly fun about the combination of punk and saxophones. It's really too bad that this band doesn't get more recognition as a pioneer. The title track stands out a lot as being a sort of proto-post-punk song (whatever that means) 4/5

So much energy! This record speeds by quickly and it's such a shame the band only released one album during their heyday. Every song reminds me of other songs that came later, which shows how important and influential this record was when it was released. An Essential listen for fans of female-fronted bands of all genres!

Had to go to find a playlist on YouTube for this one.

This sounds like something that could've come out last week: hooks and annoyance. That sax! Angry and fun, this was a real surprise. Given that they only released a few singles and one album, seems they didn't fuck about. (I wonder how much of the difficulty in finding this album (it's not complete or available on Spotify or Apple Music locally) is because of Polly Styrene's 2009 beef with Google over royalties?)

Surprised that I enjoyed as much as I did. The saxophone was SICK. This record basically begged me to have a good time, and although I'd typically roll my eyes, I couldn't resist.

Kick ass! Straight raw punk, definitely not for everyone, but this is exactly what it's supposed to sounds like, no over production, no radio hits, no shits given and plenty of sax!

super fun slop rock

If Blondie got together with the Sex Pistols this would be their lovechild. Kudos for their audacity and energy. Poly Styrene is a great front-woman and the cheap sounding sax is a refreshing change.

When this first came on my first thought is that it would be getting 5 stars. I love most punk stuff and the addition of the saxophone was really cool but pretty much every song on this album sounds exactly the same. I need just a little bit more variety to keep me interested for the length of the whole album.

Somewhere between ska, new wave, and the Dead Kennedys. Poly Styrene's vocals take some getting used to, but I eventually got it. The saxophone, however, is a novelty that wears off. Announcing the song title at the beginning of the song does as well. Favorite tracks: "Identity", "Plastic Bag"

Nr. 162/1001 Germfree Adolesance 3/5 Identity 3/5 The Day The World Turned Dayglow 2/5 Genetic Engineering 2/5 Art-I-Ficial 2/5 Plastic Bag 2/5 I Am A Poseur 3/5 I Live Off You 2/5 Let's Submerge 2/5 Obsessed With You 2/5 Warrior in Woolworths 3/5 I Can't Do Anything 3/5 Age 2/5 Highly Inflammable 2/5 Average: 2,36 Didn't really like this.

Better than most of the punk that was kicking around - the sax helps, as you can't just thrash that instrument. I think her voice is also much more interesting that most punk yellers. Still, won't ever listen to any of it again

#184. On the one hand, I suppose shitty punk music is more punk than more well executed punk music, but on the other hand, I still fucking hate this. 2/5: Yeah, I realize the problem may lie with me, but I'm gonna give it a two anyway

Didn’t really care for this and kept thinking, “is this really an album I need to listen to before I die?” It wasn’t the worst thing I’ve listened to on this list, but it was boring and a bit repetitive. The title track and “I Cant Do Anything” were okay, but this is a skip from me.

I get that it’s a style, maybe if an important album to that style but it’s not even slightly enjoyable. The UK-ness of this book is showing.

They should change the name of this app to 1,000 albums to listen to before you die.

I ALREADY RATED THIS YOU IDIOTS

9/10 A great punk album. Tunes, energy, funny lyrics. Even the Devil Horn saxophone doesn't spoil the tracks it appears on.

LOVE THIS ALBUM

Superb record that did so much for punk. Particularly effective at waking almost anyone up.

**In-depth Review of *Germfree Adolescents* by X-Ray Spex** *Germfree Adolescents*, released in 1978, stands as a landmark album in punk rock history, notable for its fierce energy, incisive lyrics, and unique instrumentation. Fronted by Poly Styrene, a woman of color whose presence was rare in the punk scene, the album delivers a potent mix of political critique, anti-consumerist themes, and raw musical innovation. --- ## Lyrics Poly Styrene’s lyrics on *Germfree Adolescents* are distinguished by their sharp wit, poetic anger, and vivid imagery. Unlike many punk contemporaries who favored straightforward rebellion, Styrene infused her songs with a blend of humor and pointed social commentary. For example, in “Art-I-Ficial,” she sings: > “I wanna be Instamatic / I wanna be a frozen pea / I wanna be dehydrated / In a consumer society,” which cleverly mocks the artificiality and consumerism of modern life[1][5]. Her lyrics often explore themes of identity, conformity, and societal pressure. In “Identity,” inspired by witnessing a girl’s self-harm, Styrene critiques society’s failure to support youth individuality: > “Identity” is one of the most lyrically zealous descriptions of society’s inability to help the youth[5]. Other tracks like “Plastic Bag” use surreal and psychedelic imagery, such as describing Hitler as “The ruler of the supermarkets,” to satirize consumer culture and authoritarianism in unexpected ways[2]. Styrene’s vocal delivery amplifies the lyrical content with a wild, urgent energy that ranges from confrontational to sardonic. The opening track, “I Am a Cliché,” mocks stereotypes and embraces self-awareness with playful gibberish and defiant lines: > “I am a cliche, pink is obscene,” showcasing her witty approach to punk’s clichés[1]. --- ## Music Musically, *Germfree Adolescents* is a distinctive fusion of punk’s raw aggression and melodic inventiveness. The band’s sound is characterized by driving guitars, frenetic drumming, and notably, the inclusion of a saxophone, played by Lora Logic. The saxophone’s piercing riffs add a unique texture that sets X-Ray Spex apart from their punk peers, creating a sound that is both abrasive and danceable[2][5]. The guitar work by Jak Airport is muscular and relentless, rarely letting up throughout the album except on slower tracks like “Warrior in Woolworths” and the title track “Germfree Adolescents,” which offer a more reflective, almost proto-synth-pop feel[2][4][5]. Songs like “Obsessed With You” and “The Day the World Turned Day-Glo” are high-energy punk anthems with catchy riffs and kinetic saxophone lines, while tracks such as “I Live Off You” and “I Am a Poseur” blend punk urgency with melodic hooks[3][5]. The album’s pacing balances furious bursts of sound with moments of melodic respite, maintaining listener engagement throughout its 36-minute runtime[5]. --- ## Production Produced during punk’s early years, the album’s production is raw but focused, avoiding the cacophony and ramshackle playing that marred some punk records of the era. The sound captures the band’s energy without sacrificing clarity, allowing each instrument, especially the saxophone, to cut through the mix effectively[4]. The production highlights the band’s strengths: Poly Styrene’s distinctive vocals, the tightness of the rhythm section, and the interplay between guitars and saxophone. The album avoids over-polishing, retaining a sense of immediacy and urgency essential to punk’s ethos[4]. Some critics have noted that the album contains a significant amount of previously released material, which may affect its freshness, but this does not detract from the overall production quality or playability[4]. --- ## Themes Thematically, *Germfree Adolescents* is a scathing critique of consumerism, conformity, and societal control. The album’s title itself evokes a sterile, sanitized world, reflecting the band’s disdain for artificiality and mass-produced culture[1][5]. Poly Styrene’s lyrics consistently attack the commodification of identity and the pressures to conform, often highlighting the loss of individuality in a consumer society. This is evident in songs like “Art-I-Ficial,” “Identity,” and “Plastic Bag,” which explore how people are shaped and constrained by external forces[1][5]. The album also touches on political and social issues, including alienation, mental health, and rebellion against oppressive norms. The band’s message is both personal and universal, urging listeners to resist societal pressures and assert their uniqueness[5]. --- ## Influence *Germfree Adolescents* has had a lasting impact on punk and alternative music. Its fusion of punk energy with saxophone-driven melodies influenced later bands seeking to expand punk’s sonic boundaries[1][2][5]. Poly Styrene’s role as a woman of color fronting a punk band was groundbreaking, paving the way for greater diversity and female empowerment in punk and the broader music scene. Her fierce political stance and uncompromising artistic vision inspired the riot grrrl movement and countless punk and indie artists[1][5]. The album remains relevant decades later, with its themes of consumerism and identity still resonating in contemporary culture. Its sound and attitude continue to inspire DIY bands and punk revivalists[1][5]. --- ## Pros and Cons | Pros | Cons | |----------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------| | Powerful, poetic, and politically charged lyrics | Contains a high proportion of previously released material, reducing novelty[4] | | Unique and energetic blend of punk and saxophone | Some tracks like “Plastic Bag” have been criticized for cumbersome arrangements and less effective execution[4] | | Strong, distinctive vocal delivery by Poly Styrene| Short lifespan of the band limited further development of their sound[5] | | Raw but focused production capturing punk energy | Some critics note a lack of musical maturity due to the band’s infancy at the time of recording[5] | | Influential in expanding punk’s musical and cultural boundaries | The album’s anti-consumerist themes, while powerful, may feel repetitive to some listeners | --- ## Conclusion *Germfree Adolescents* by X-Ray Spex is a seminal punk album that combines fierce political commentary with innovative music and a unique sonic palette. Poly Styrene’s incisive lyrics and commanding vocals, alongside the band’s tight instrumentation and distinctive saxophone, create an album that is both a product of its time and remarkably timeless. While the album’s reliance on previously released tracks and some uneven moments slightly temper its impact, its influence on punk and alternative music, as well as its enduring relevance, secure its place as a classic. It remains essential listening for those interested in punk’s evolution and the power of music as social critique.

This is the 100th album I’m rating. I don’t know what this is but I like the name it seems cool. Adding to my Playlist - Art-I-Ficial, Obsessed with You, Warrior in Woolworths, Let’s Submerge, I Can’t Do Anything, Identity, Genetic Engineering, I Live Off You, I Am a Poseur, Germfree Adolescents, Plastic Bag, and The Day the World Turned Day-Glo. Not Adding to my Playlist - Nothing. Warrior in Woolworths - That guitar is amazing, and something about her singing just feel right in a way I can’t explain. All in all I liked 12/12 songs. I don’t what it is but something about this feels different from the other punk albums I’ve listened to. Maybe after listening to so many albums I’ve begun to like the sound or maybe the band is just really really good. Either way I like it a lot.

Ooooh riot grrrl's mom was a bad ass! Legit ancestor of Bikini Kill, Amyl And The Sniffers, so many great artists. Dig the vocals. Dig the brass. Dig the energy. On my fifth listen, growing on me more with each listen.

Buena sorpresa (sigo odiando el sistema de estrellas, le pondría 4'5)

This hits hard, would listen again for sure

Loved it. A bad idea boyfriend heard of but never heard. Poly Styrene must have been Corrin Tucker’s favorite…

Perfect album no notes

Loved this, it presages Riot Grrl and New Wave at the same time while still being its own thing

You can really hear the influence this album had on lots of bands. Love it.

I think X-Ray Spex is my new favorite punk band. They're really upbeat and fun! And having a saxophonist in the band gives the music more soul than your average punk band can claim to have. Germfree Adolescents should be a staple of any punk fan's music collection.

Punk with sax! Still holds up, great energy. Incredible voice. The messages still hold up as well. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs seem very inspired by X-Ray Spex.

Super surprising album. It sounds way more recent than it actually is. I loved it. Will definitely listen again.

How is this from the 70’s?! Amazing album.

A punk classic. First heard it 20 years ago and I still like it a lot.

This was really catchy and really energetic punk that is pretty distinct from its peers at the time. Good stuff.

Lots of stuff I love here a lot. And I listened to the expanded CD that has the absolute banger "Oh Bondage, Up Yours!" Possibly the best of the female led punk groups from the 70s.

Damn near perfect album.

Hoe kan ik dit ooit gemist hebben?

This one goes hard AF.it works notably well and I can’t believe the use of sax went so downhill after this. I also can’t believe it is averaging less than 3 stars being that most of the reviews are favorable. I’ll rate it 5 stars just for that

Today was a great day for my album review. I had never heard of this band before and I absolutely loved this album. I am only recently learning about some of the new, European, kick ass, female rockers, like Cocktail Slippers and Dea Matrona, and listening to this album made me feel like I was connecting to the roots and inspiration of some of that. This album is a classic. Loved the vocals, loved the arrangements. Fantastic album.

This is #day73 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and, wow, that saxophone! This is my first-ever experience with X-Ray Spex, and it's already one of my favorite records of all time. My initial thought was that it’s like a female version of the Sex Pistols. Then, it made me think of Blondie's debut, but it definitely stands on its own—very much its own. The album is rowdy and raw, yet incredibly melodious—pure punk with bits of ska and reggae, plus a hint of new wave. Standout songs are "I Can't Do Anything", "Identity", "Plastic Bag", and "The Day The World Turned Day-Glo", but honestly, the whole record rocks—you just turn it up and let it flow. Poly Styrene was a true punk icon and a forward-thinking artist who did feminism before feminism was a thing. I’d go so far as to say she’s one of the most influential frontwomen in rock music. This is a fantastic discovery, a trailblazing record that deserves more recognition. I'm giving it a 5 out 5. Looking forward to #day74.

Oh well. The only real problem I ever had with this album is that the one-off single "Oh Bondage, Up Yours" is not included in its original tracklist. But it's a mistake that's repaired in later CD releases of the album. Apart from that, this pivotal British punk record foretelling the later American riot grrrrrl movement (Bikini Kill, Le Tigre, Kathleen Hannah, Sweater Kinney...) is a keeper, thanks to its infectious saxophone and Poly Styrene's energetic performance. There is no real highlight, but at the same time, everything is rowdy and excellent in quite a timeless fashion. 4.5/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums, rounded up to 5 9.5/10 grade for more general purposes (5 + 4.5). Number of albums left to review: 39 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 415 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 242 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 306

Totally old school punk. It is a classic LP

X-RaySpex war eine der wenigen Frauen Punkbands. Geile Mucke

Epitome of female punk!

I was not expecting by the cover for this to be a punk classic. I loved the whole thing. What a debut Rating: 4.8

Freddy tried to strangle me .. but I hit him back with my pet rat yeah I hit him back <saxophone plays> It is impossible to beat this mix of punk / early new wave music and I have listened to this album many times over the years: 10/10.

It just worked.

That was so good, all the way through, I love Poly’s voice, very punk and yet lyrics easy to understand. Lots of energy! Love it

The most intellectually rigorous Punk record outside of The Clash and Patti Smith, and possibly the heaviest and most musically interesting outside of the first wave of Post-Punk and hardcore. Poly Styrene is the standout character, her freewheeling vocal stylings giving the songs a charisma that puts them into the forefront of UK punk. This is testament to what Punk could be. A group of artsy weirdos lead by a half Scottish, half Somali woman, creating heavy yet melodic music inspired as equally by early R&B as by the original wave of Proto-Punk bands, with lyrics that manage to be funny and biting at the same time. Ground breaking musically and socially, this absolutely earns it’s place amongst the most influential records ever. That it’s so damn good is a bonus

Awesome stuff. Didn't know them before, great album so I instantly listened to it twice.

Proper ass-kicking punk - I wasn't too sure about it in the beginning but the longer I listen the more I like it

On paper, this one didn't really appeal to me, but man it was some good stuff.

Fantastic follow-up to yesterday's Neneh Cherry. Released a decade apart, two young women with unique takes on their respective genres. Germfree Adolescents is just so good! Poly Styrene's voice is raw but incredibly pure, confident with a whole lot of swagger. For punk songs, they are musical and catchy. This is a real gem.

Some catchy punk the way I prefer it… just a touch of pop. I started off liking it, and then they endeared me completely and I love it!

I'm sorry, is that a PUNK SAXOPHONE?! Talk about things you never knew you needed in your life...

Wow. Beautiful punk. Her voice is golden and the songs stomp. 5/5

I'm so mad that I had never listened to this album before - this fucking rules. The riot grrl blueprint plus ripping sax solos. Kathleen Hanna definitely got some inspo from Poly Styrene. Identity is such a good song. I love this album - all grilling no chilling.

Still fresh this early English Punk/New-Wave music! This one is not of the aggressive sort, but is fun energetic guitar music, even jazzy sometimes. With lyrics still relevant, like this one: It's 1977 and we are going mad It's 1977 and we've seen too many ads It's 1977 and we're gonna show them all Apathy's a drag My mind is like a plastic bag That corresponds to all those ads It sucks up all the rubbish That is fed in through by ear I eat Kleenex for breakfast And use soft hygienic Weetabix To dry my tears Could have inspired Naomi Klein's No Logo!! Good way to describe current Western society (sorry, is my personal opinion, please enjoy your own life) the bloody way brands and ads and populists are turning Western citizens into sheep-like consumers of useless overpriced stuff, imposing their world view (Money and being Rich and having the new iPhonesold with 90% profit margin is the measurement of usefulness of people, not ones kindness or integrity) ,resulting in everyone in the world dumbing down and having the same overpriced material stuff being produced in low-income country for almost nothing, who says Colonialism has gone?). Favorites are the melodic ones with fantastic singing, Germ Free Adolescents and Warrior in Woolworth’s . Ashame she died at such a young age. Enough rambling, gonna listen to the album again.