Germfree Adolescents
X-Ray Spex
1978
Album Summary
Germfree Adolescents is the debut album of English punk rock band X-Ray Spex. It contained the UK hit singles "The Day the World Turned Dayglo" (No. 23 in April 1978), "Identity" (No. 24 in July 1978) and "Germ Free Adolescents" which reached No. 18 in November 1978. Upon release, the critics noted it wasn't all new material: five songs on the twelve tracks had already been released on A Sides and B sides of singles.
WikipediaAbsolutely fresh as fuck punk. Love it. Can't believe I haven't heard of these guys before!
Wow! What a kickass album. I love the vocalist and the shitty saxophone. Girl punks > Boy punks
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.
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!
incredibly consistent woman-fronted punk album with some early new wave stylings (and a radass saxophone!)
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.
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.
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!!
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!
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.
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?)
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!
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
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.
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 🌟
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!)
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.
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!
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"
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.
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.
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.
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.
Some great tracks. I can only imagine the reaction of parents when teenagers brought this record home, and played it loudly in their bedroom!
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.
This was great!!! It's so raw and real. I'm devastated for not know this band before. A great album that deserves much more attention. The songs are cool and different during the whole album, this "punk" sax thing is kind of a special thing and the vocalist is a very good example of the best punk singer. I don't have any complaints. Just a great album.
Not on Tidal. Not on Spotty-fry. Not on Hamazon Music. YouTube? Yeah, that's got it. And I'm glad I looked for it, because it's a solid album.
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.
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
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.
Really enjoyed this one, energetic & driving guitars with sax blended in throughout. Unexpectedly amazing
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.
How is this album not even averaging a 3 right now? Looks like y'all don't like a female singer? GTFO
Never heard this before yesterday, freaking rocks though. Reminds me of Bikini Kill in a way, love it.
Holy crap! This may be my favorite punk album so far, and maybe one of my favorite albums. Poly Styrene was a fucking force of nature! So bright and with an incredibly powerful voice. The sax playing of Lora Logic brings so much melody and texture to the sound of every song. The drive of the fuzzed out guitar and the high speed rhythm section is awesome, but the sax makes the whole thing stand out in a truly unique way. What a great album!
Been listening to this since 7th grade. The best. So happy to revisit.
A standout early punk album. It definitely has its own thing going on and that's a big part of the charm. The only problem I have with the album isn't a problem at all: I though Oh Bondage! Up Yours! was on this album. It was not. It was a single. I just wish it was here. A classic of the genre regardless.
Goeie oude punk met vrouwenstem. Eigenlijk een van de beste punkalbums met vrouwenstem moet ik zeggen.
Yeah, this was great - love that saxamaphone added to the punk sound. Lyrically this album is so much more relevant than the Sex Pistols' manufactured nihilism. Fave track - "Identity" - mainstream culture is only now (kinda) catching up with what this song is saying!
Oh man. This was such a welcome addition to this week’s listening. Really enjoyed it. “Germ Free Adolescents” is so good! Love that vocal performance. Somebody needs to do a playlist of tunes with saxophones in unlikely places.
"I know you're antiseptic, your deodorant smells nice I'd like to get to know you but you're deep-frozen like the ice" (Germfree adolescence) Obsesionada con las pintas de esta gente, decepcionada con que haya tan pocas fotos en internet.
Actually really enjoyed this. A lotta fun. Lots of comedy lyrics and track names like Warrior in Woolworths. Will go again
This album is cool! Punk as hell and pretty groovy too. The sax is an interesting touch. Polly Styrene had a cool voice. I definitely hear the influence on someone like Corin Tucker.
The Day the World Turned Day-Glo, Identity, Let's Submerge, Oh Bondage! Up Yours!, Age e Obssessed With You
Pufffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff!!! Todo lo que me gusta. Todo.Ese punk-pop con vientos es todo lo que me gusta. Me hace acordar tanto el tono de voz de Bárbara Recanati de Utopians. Escuchen este tema de ellos. "Allá voy" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mjx4IHeMg8 En fin. Repito en insisto, el disco es todo lo que está bien en mi cabeza de niño hardocore-ska-punk-fag. ¿Lo voy a volver a escuchar? Pero claro que sí!! 9/10 ludomatics
Surprisingly good, honestly quite refreshing to listen to. Dubious sax tuning lmao. Solid, not sure if I would save any of them though.
This album is so good. It’s like fire or electricity. Every track is like a straight defibrillator to my brain. Top tracks Obsessed with you Plastic bag Oh bondage up yours
A fine nostalgic for me blast from the past. Great songs about consumerism. A favorite of mine
There are some really classic brit-punk anthems on this album and Poly Styrene is one of the most iconic female punk singers ever. Punk is my genre and I'm generally here for the riot grrrl thing but I'll admit that, even for me, a whole album of this started to wear me out. 'Oh Bondage, Up Yours" is still one of my favorite punk tracks but I can only take so much. Also saxophone solos can suck it.
Punksito alegre, mucha energía, todo suena bien. La voz de la vocalista está suave. Me habría gustado conocer esta banda cuando era adolescente, es lo que pienso. Entre las que más me gustaron: "Art-I-Ficial", "I Can't Do Anything" y "Genetic Engineering". 8.5/10
Album was awesome. Wish it was on Apple Music. End of the album even better than the top. Meant to be played loud. Really liked Plastic Bag and Dayglo. Good transition time between rock and punk, can see both in this album.
Super bon album punk rock, clairement une influence pour plusieurs bands qui ont suivit. À revisiter
this is what I thought punk sounded like when I was a small child, and I was right
Hell fucking yeah finally some energy. Cant believe i never heard of them before
Such an exciting album. Charismatic, great lyrics, absolutely brilliant take on their times.
I Was Taking Care Of Business The Last 2Days. Rabby Ysahhel Fy Kol Mehou Dream, I've Been Writing, But Not Much
Raw and energetic, with some parts really rough (inspired by surf rock) while others more smooth (inspired by glam rock and reggae). There's a whole lot of punk attitude. I really enjoy the riot grrrl vocals... something rare I only find in bands like Siouxsie and B-52s. Sax and synths are really simplistic, on the onset of New Wave but still definitely punk, characterized by short track lengths, chaotic vocals, anti-social lyrical matter, and fast yet minimalistic melodies. No signs of weakness on any of tracks; they really go all out. I can't believe these guys made just one album and a few singles but yet are considered one of the classics. I found like three varieties of this album in different track orders, but I don't think the ordering matters at all. Favorites: Germfree Adolescence, Identity, Art-I-Ficial, Plastic Bag, I Am a Poseur, Warrior in Woolworths, Highly Inflammable, Oh Bondage Up Yours
I initially pigeonholed this as shouty punk with not much variation (kind of what you would expect from a punk band in 1978) but this gets better the more you play it . Poly was truly one in a million and her personality resonates through the album. The Sax and synth is not a standard Punk sound and I would go as far to say this isn't punk at all? Very early New-Wave? lol! Some slower tracks with quite cutting lyrics too- I mean it's not Shakespeare but better than a lot of other bands I think. "Her phobia is infection, she needs one to survive It's her built-in protection, without fear she'd give up and die" "My mind, is like, a plastic bag That corresponds, to all those ads It sucks up all the rubbish That is fed in through my ear" Plus it's now on Spotify now which is good.
Stevige punk. Niet onmiddellijk iets dat goed blijft hangen, maar wel een leuk album
First half is a bit meh but wow they put it together I the second half. Love Platic Bag, Warrior in Woolworths, I can't do anything.
Queer-punk klassikko! Todella aikaansa edellä. Tosin Oh Bondage! Up Yours! ei kyl ollut alunperin tällä levyllä mukana ollenkaan. Hieno single tosin. Aika menoa ja meininkiähän tää on, mutta jotenkin hyvällä tavalla omalaatuisesti! 4/5
Feels like the precursor to a lot but also has some dated elements. A fun project regardless, glad I got to be enlightened to it.
8/10. When I first heard the singers voice, I thought it would ruin the album. But I ended up really liking it
Punk with some Sax and Female Vocals? Some heavy riffs are really unexpected on this album! I like more than I actually thought than I would. Very "London" sounding band from the end of the Seventies.
Talk about a cover and name that don't inspire any confidence or anticipation for what's inside. As most people here I suspect, I haven't heard of this band before, let's go! Track 1 - What in the Eliza Doolittle? We doing satire music now? Have a feeling this is heading straight for the 1-star pile. 2. Identity - OK, this is kinda lively, no idea what she's saying, but there's some kinda toy wind instrument in the background, and at least the adolescents are having fun with this one. Already this is miles better than The Smiths. 3. The Day the World Turned Dayglo - Still no idea what Eliza Doolittle is shouting about, but appreciate the vigor. And the toy wind instrument turned out to be a saxophone - go figure! 4. Genetic Engineering - I think I picked up a bit of German at the beginning there? The sax player (Steve "Rudi" Thomson) is starting to establish himself a bit more, go on then! 5. Art-I-Ficial - This is my second listenthrough, and I JUST realized that the name of the band is X-Ray Spex, and the album title is Germfree Adolescents, thought it was the other way around. Anyway, this song slaps! This is by no means a 1 star album. 6. Plastic Bag - "My mind is like a plastic bag" declares Poly Styrene, the lead singer. OK, I finally pulled up the lyrics, not as dreadful as I expected, this band keeps surprising me. They seem to be complaining about the over-saturation of media and advertising in 1977, are they in for a surprise when they cross into this millennium. 7. I Am a Poseur - Another bop. Maybe the best so far. Wow, this band just keeps racking up stars. 8. I Live off You - He might be closer to a random high school band member than Sonny Rollins, but this song is evidence that a sax makes a great addition to any punk band (see also The Stooges). 9. Lets Submerge - Just when I mentioned The Stooges, Miss Styrene goes all out channeling her inner Iggy. Another star earned? Another star earned! 10. Obsessed With You - This is actually supposed to be the 2nd track on the album, but YouTube seems to have messed up the order, or following a different release version. Oh well, this album will be getting plenty more rotation, in the correct order next time. 11. Warrior in Woolworths - Woolworths is a clothing store? Seems like there's something deeper here than just the surface lyrics. 12. I Can Do Anything - 12 songs deeps and the energy is still high. Not getting tired of this at all. Dig those rolling rrrs, and I think I'm finally starting to understand what Eliza Dool.. I mean... Poly Styrene is saying. 13. Age - Bonus track? Why not! 14. Highly Inflammable - Another bonus track, nice change of pace from the rest of the songs so far. Conclusion - MASSIVELY surprised and impressed by this one. Make sure you find the version that starts with Art-I-Ficial, as that is the original and imo best album opener.