Reviews (page 5 of 8)
I couldn't believe this came out in 1978. I'm not a big punk listener, but it's pretty obvious that this is the progenitor or riot grrl and pop punk.
Liked the drums.
Usually not a huge fan of 70s punk, despite the fact that it's an important genre as far as influences go-- the majority of it I just don't find interesting. This album was a pleasant surprise. The saxophone is a really fun addition, even though "punk album with a saxophone" sounds terrible on paper.
That’s punk
Fun punk album. I liked the tracks where they put a lil saxophone in the mix and I liked the energy. Very british.
This is fine. Some tracks pop a bit more than others - title track is probably the best one. But doesn't feel like something i'd want to spin again
The vocals were occasionally sound.
Yet another anglo punk album. It was ok, not sure worthy of "listening to before dying", like most entries in the list. Had some cool brass, but the female yelling thing is not for me.
**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.
Plastic Bag //
Didn't exactly like any song, but some parts of songs. This type of punk is not my thing, the subject matter or the delivery weren't to my liking.
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.
They had some good parts here and there, but honestly, the music gets pretty annoying. This is one of those bands that makes music that I think is bad, but they're still praised a lot because of what they represent and who they are.
I have no Idea what they're singing about most of the time but it sounds good. Really liked Plastic Bag.
Kind of embarrassed I had never heard this before. Definitely an album I should hear before I die, even if I never choose to hear it again. This album had so much energy! The vocals are great- punk, but also melody. A squeaky sax is not my favorite, but it works really well here. A surprise find for me!
Crazy coincidence that the first time I heard this album was one year ago on this day. So good and so germfree
mumble punk or what?
Surprise record, good punk!
If Jenny Slate made a countercultural noise fest in the 70s. Not for moi.
Long before there were streaming services and fancy vinyl reissues I carried around a very worn piece of paper with a list of albums I'd read about and wanted to find in used record stores. This one was on that list and I never did find the album. But a few songs were on compilations. I love what this brought to the late seventies UK scene: female voice, horns, and some keyboard.
Very cool british punk with a cool spin adding the saxophone in to help it stand out more. Very fun
Enjoyed few, wont listen again. Too high pitch for me :/
Hell yeah, this is the good stuff. Definitely glad I heard this. Poly Styrene rocks and that sax is great.
Great New Wave vibes.
Punk + Saxophone is not a combination I appreciate.
Not really worth even the short time it took to listen to this. The music was average and the singer was just whining into the mic the entire time.
The speed and energy at which this album operates is spectacular. The lead singer stays at an 11 out of 10 energy level that gets at the essence of what English punk was all about. “Obsessed With You” is such a great example of this constant energy. What’s really cool is that this album doesn’t sacrifice instrumental variety or melodic ideas for that high level of energy. “Warrior in Woolworths” and “Let’s Submerge” introduce a really nice saxophone, as an example of this variety. How cool it must’ve been to be young in the British punk scene to hear albums like this on their release. So much emotion fueling these performances. “Identity” for sure is my favorite off this project. It’s got such a cool start, the lead singer totally sells out with some super infectious screaming/singing. And the crazy, spectacular horn section!!! So fucking good. The little electric guitar refrains that pop in and out super quickly are a little cherry on top of this song which is genuinely one of the better songs I’ve been able to discover this far in 400+ albums on this whole list! Can’t say enough good things about “Identity”. Whatever platform this song did or didn’t have in its time, it deserved tenfold. “Plastic Bag” specifically is such a cool concept because it goes from something that sounds like a Black Country, New Roads sax jam (for all the 20-something’s out there) immediately into an explosive, speedy punk song. The only real change-up on this album is the title track, and it’s really nice! Cool processing/playing on the rhythm guitar/synth? It’s hard to tell if it’s one, or the other, or both. STRONG 3/5, but I could totally see if this was/is your punk opus. Lots of fun listening to this one!
Not really for me. I liked “Warrior in Woolworths” and “I Can’t Do Anything” the most. 2.5 Stars.
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.
A punk rock tantrum – loud, messy, and you’re not sure if you should applaud or call for help.
I like this QUITE a lot. I think I should listen to more punk music. It’s just very good and exciting and her voice is so good for this kind of music. Reminds me of the sex pistols but thats just me not knowing much of this kind of music. I liked it a lot though. High 4?
Pretty fun album. Probably not a frequent go-to, but definitely something I would play again around the house when I need something bright and high-energy. 3.5
Used to not like this album very much but it's grown on me. Poly Styrene's vocals used to bother me but I like it now. 3.5/5
3.2 3x quick and nice voice
Yeah, I don’t love punk. It was fine as punk goes, I guess. I had to listen on YouTube because it’s not available on Apple Music, and that’s annoying because I hate commercials. Anyway, 2 stars is about right. I could be convinced to go to 2.5 is this thing had half stars.
That was a great listen! I love Germ Free Adolescent the song but hearing in the context of the whole album was fun! I remember seeing them on TOTP and thinking what the hell is this, wow memories,
En digannut, puolessavälissä piti lopettaa, lauluääni etenkin otti aivoon.
Early punk, female vocalist, sax
Buena sorpresa (sigo odiando el sistema de estrellas, le pondría 4'5)
This one surprised me. Germfree Adolescents is an energetic punk album with a female singer, Polly Styrene who very clearly influenced future female punk leads, Corin Tucker immediately comes to mind. 7.9/10
This is not music for me. This might be music for someone, but for me it was just noise (and not in a good way).
I have zero interest in this music
just okay don't really know why all these magazines are getting a hard-on for this
just another brit punk band
3.75 stars bc I blanked out on the last couple tracks. I enjoy it far more when women sing badly let's goo punk women who can't sing nation!!!
Strange album, not something I would listen to casually. I respect the “weirdness” of it though
I didn't much like punk in period, and I don't much like it now. 2/5.
Fun punk, feels like a slightly more rebellious version of the bangles.
It was ok, Styrene’s voice grates on me after a few songs. I prefer other punk and other female punk singers to Styrene.
Solid, feels before it’s time.
Judging the album by the cover, I thought I was going to hate this but it was actually pretty enjoyable. Early punk with added saxophone makes for a compelling combo.
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…
Heard it before. Sex Pistols wish they were X Ray Spex 3/5
If I’ve heard one punk rock song, I’ve heard them all. Are we seriously singing about rats?
Best album of all time? No way Very fun and from an extremely specific time in history? Absolutely.
Really enjoyed this one, energetic & driving guitars with sax blended in throughout. Unexpectedly amazing
Perfect album no notes
Good, really decent. Loud sharp, aggressive in all the right ways.
I freaking love the sax on this album!
Лихой и задорный панк-рок, с левым зарядом и мелодичным саксофоном.
Loved this, it presages Riot Grrl and New Wave at the same time while still being its own thing
I really enjoyed the music on this, especially the saxophone-forward songs like "Genetic Engineering." But I didn't enjoy the vocals or really understand what she was singing. So not a record I will be returning to, but I didn't hate it.
I really appreciated this album, I loved the way they succeeded to use some sax in it like for a punk/rock band that's unusual to see this kind of instrument which is amazing. I really liked the energy of the band during the entire album and I love the way the singer screams the name of the song at the beginning of some like for "Art-I-Ficial" or "Genetic Engineering".
Art-I-Ficial : Great riff, not a fan of her voice Had a really good time? I got a child-like, innocent vibe out of this album that I really loved 4!!
Reminded me of how much I like early punk.
Wildly bad. Spotify says their lyrics are revolutionary. I thought she was screaming French until halfway through. Fuck this album and fuck the saxophone
Holy hell the screaming and you know what f**k the saxophone too 2.3
40/1001 - Can't understand the vocals (strong de-esser or lisp?). Can understand the loud and awesome guitars drums and flat sax.
Le punk, c'est fun 10 minutes. Le punk avec un saxophone, c'est fun 5 minutes.
This goes hard. I'm generally anti-sax for the most part but for some reason it really works with this kind of punk.
You can really hear the influence this album had on lots of bands. Love it.
Not for me
Pretty good Unique titles
Ehhh, I liked this at times, but that flamed out towards the end.
Admittedly, I was fully prepared to trash this album. When an album has a relatively light Wikipedia page, I get a slight bias that it will end up being bad, which I acknowledge is not very fair. However, I genuinely had fun listening to this one. The saxophone elevated nearly every track.
Great UK Punk. I didn't know this one in my youth but I would have loved them even more in those angsty teen years.
Blind album and artist. The 2 big hits were good but kinda generic from what I could tell.
I think this is cool because of the decade it came out as I’d guess there were not as many female led punk rock bands with weirdo instrumental twists. As an album there are some cool ideas / songs on it but just some good punk rock/new wave record a la devo. Opening track has a great sax. This stuff feels like proto skater punk. The singer of sleater Kinney feels very inspired by this vocalist. Maybe a bit of le tigre too. And the 5,6,7,8’s. The sax really sells the record style as it fits their rocking grooves.
quite interesting but too much punky for my preferences
I kinda dig it. It would totally be fun to go to a dive bar, and get hammered too.
X-Ray Spex and Poly Styrene truly broke new ground with this, their only full-length record. Countless artists were influenced by them. Gotta love a Punk band with a saxophone that doesn't do Ska.
Great album, and the title track is such a gem. In my head I always confuse X-Ray Spex with Poly Styrene and X with Exene Cervenka but that's not their fault.
I bought this album at the time and still have it in my record collection. That said I don’t think I have played it for well over 30 years. As I recollect I thought the sound on my particular record was not particularly good and a bit thin. It was never a record I overly enjoyed because of the tinny sound and repetitive nature of the songs. I didn’t listen to my record today but the Apple Music stream. I must say that the sound of this was vastly improved and nothing like I remembered it to be. I particularly liked the sax solos interspersed about the album which I never really had noticed previously. Polly’s voice is still irritating after a while so thank goodness for the sax interludes. Have given it an extra star than I thought I would when it was revealed on the list. 3/5 20/2/25
Pretty fun ska/power pop/pop punk album. Had never heard of this band before.
2.5 Poly Styrene sure is a great rock name. Her voice sure cuts through for better or worse. The bass playing stood out as excessively busy. Liked a few tunes, but honestly didn't really do it for me
3.5 It's great. I hear how they influenced so many. Love the horns. Almost reminds me of Murphy"s Law at times
3.5
Fantastic punk sound, loved the sax. Her voice killed it
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.
Albumi #150, 17.02.2025 X-ray Specs on uusi tuttavuus. Debyyttialbumi Germfree Adolescents julkaistiin vuonna 1978. Bändi on melko mielenkiintoinen new wave punk-bändi. Naisvokalisti Poly Styrene antaa mukavan mausteen bändin soundiin eikä Rudi Thomsonin soittama saksofonikaan ole punk-bändeissä niitä yleisimpiä soittimia.
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.
Amyl and the Sniffers must be inspired by these guys somewhat, lots of similarities. It was quite fun and felt much more modern than 1978.
Highly underrated. I think this might be my favorite punk album. Also, it could be released today and still sound equally relevant.
I’ve realized that punk is something I appreciate but tend to avoid. My base level of anxiety is quite high. Punk makes me wanna break stuff, all stuff… but like in a crazy fun way.
The good girl rock
It’s 1970s Brit-punk with a sax. Mostly not my jam. Identity is the stand out track for me. Everything else feels very Johnny Quest and I’m not crazy about it.
I did not use a private session for Spotify. I was nervous about signing up for a double album, but then I realized this was punk, so the songs aren't long. Yes, it's punk, but with a saxophone, which is different. Different but not compelling.
Genuinely really strong punk album. Punchy and melodic at points.
Like the sax
Nothing but boundless energy here, it fizzes and crackles where other punks might crash and bang - the saxophone is a very welcome addition! Favourite tracks: Art-I-Ficial, Warrior in Woolworths, Let's Submerge
I've meant to check out X-Ray Spex but just hadn't got around to it until today. Really great stuff. I can hear their influence echoing through lots of other punk and riot grrl bands, especially everything Kathleen Hanna has done. I like the horns too. Will definitely listen to this again.
very punk, loved it
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.
Im suddenly very motivated to rebel against the establishment
Lot of energy in this album. Enjoyed it 3/5
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.
Loud girl punk
Not really for me. I liked “Warrior in Woolworths” and “I Can’t Do Anything” the most. 2.5 Stars.
Dat sax tho
Een aardig punkalbum. Het geluid kan in dit genre een stuk slechter, dus dat is alvast een dikke meevaller. De gitaren, drums en basgitaar klinken goed. Tante Piepschuim (ik kende haar niet moet ik eerlijk zeggen) doet het meer dan aardig op zang en ze trekt de kar prima. Tuurlijk is het af en toe een keer wat vervelend hoe ze zingt, maar punk mag een beetje schuren. Wat lichte ska invloeden door die sax ook, maar het gaat er vandaag in als zoete koek. De titeltrack is fucking irritant. De track daarna (Plastic Bag) vind ik dan wel weer enorm interessant op de één of andere manier. Een compacte 36 minuten, weinig mis mee. Ik ga de 5 sterren wel op zak houden, want ik mis wel een nummer of 2 die je op repeat wil zetten.
I'd only heard Oh Bondage before this. My loss, this whole album kicks ass.
Didn't expect to like this and have been pleasantly surprised! Pleased to hear female vocals and pleased to hear a punky sound rather than the grungy drone I sort of expected. Good find!
3.5
Riot girrrrl punk. Well executed, without being obviously different from their late 70s peers.
26/01/25 I have never heard of this band, and it wasn't as bad as i was expecting.
Gear: Fostex TH610 Artwork: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪 Production: 👂🔪🩸 Music: 🎷🎤🤗 Rating: 🧪🧪🧪🧪/5
I've said it before and I'll say it again—we need more saxophone in punk. I think Ska had it all wrong by incorporating trumpets everywhere. Sax just brings a whole extra layer to this already kickass record. It's vigorous when it needs to be, but backs off with poppier tracks just to keep a fresh pace.
Punky, funky, sexy, and saxy; you don't need X-ray vision to see why this is a classic of the genre.
A punk classic. First heard it 20 years ago and I still like it a lot.
Can hear how it most likely inspired future bands. Can also detect how Poly Styrene was probably taking the piss out of society in general.
Started as a very fun listen, but got a bit repetitive.
Didn’t love it
Sax so shitty it was almost enjoyable
As punk goes, this is very tuneful and accessible. Very enjoyable.
Not really my thing...
I like it. It is interesting. Not crazy, earth changing music. But girls doing punk is fun and different for this list. 4/5
Punk, grimey, stick it to them, saxophone. Great punk album with some interesting vocals and sax usage. My only real complaint is that most of the songs go on a verse too long. 7/10
Some very strong “Teen Titan” theme song vibes. In general though, a bit too chaotic at times for me to fully buy in on the first listen, but I’ll return.
nice eipc
good but not my cup of tea at all
This is pretty great. It’s raw and honest and unpretentious and out of tune and out of time and in the pocket and (almost) on the nose and not-quite-what-you’d expect and just-what-I-needed and fresh as fuck even 30 odd years later. Thanks 1001
Actually really enjoyed this album- never heard the group but will put this into my listening rotation. Can totally hear their influence in so many bands that came afterwards. I’m in a bang up mood so I’ll round up to a 4
i'm always a sucker for early new wave, this album does have that awesome sound that i've heard from all sorts of rock albums from around this time. the high point of this album to me is the energy. the wailing vocals and the mostly fast tracks leave you with a sense of urgency as you listen. this high point eventually becomes a bit of a weakness later on, a lot of the tracks, while nice sound a bit samey.
Urzekła mnie energia tego albumu. It's not one for the ages, nie mam co do tego złudzeń, ale to zwyczajnie kawał energetycznego, gładkiego punka. Niektóre riffy brzmiały, jakby wyprzedzały swoje czasy. Gitara w "Obsessed with You" kojarzyła mi się mocno z tym, co grała stara Metallica. Brudne, twarde, miarowe, szybkie. Trochę mnie to bamboozlowało, ale w taki pozytywny sposób. Teksty mnie bardzo zaskoczyły. Zdecydowana większość z nich mogłaby być śpiewana dzisiaj bez najdrobniejszej zmiany i być bardzo, bardzo aktualna. Co prowadzi mnie do dwóch refleksji - negatywnej i gorzko-pozytywnej. Negatywna: niczego się nie nauczyliśmy przez 50 lat od czasów opublikowania tego albumu. Gorzko-pozytywna: świat po prostu tak wygląda i jego zepsucie to nie produkt dzisiejszych czasów, a nasze utyskiwanie na to, że jest gorzej niż kiedykolwiek to po prostu recency bias. Wynika z tego jednak pozytyw, że jakoś to będzie i przetrwamy też dzisiejsze czasy. Przejdziemy przez jakiś gigantyczny kataklizm, który raz na jakiś czas musi się wydarzyć, ale jako ogół jakoś tam przetrwamy. Dużo fajnych riffów, mega duża energia, teksty, które bronią się nawet dzisiaj. Bardzo mi się też podoba porywający głos Poly Styrene (zajebisty stage name w ogóle), broni się zarówno w hałasie instrumentów, jak i eksponowany na pierwszym planie ("Germ Free Adolescents"). Podoba mi się ta jego skrzekliwość. Bardzo dobrze spędzony czas. Kiedyś to powtórzę.
Girls doing punk is probably one on my favourites genres ever. I love the energy and vocals. Album is uneven but it has decent kick. Not a masterpiece but I'm a slave to my unoriginal but specific taste.
Chef, can you make my Go-go's gourmet? 4
Punk fun, and a nice forerunner to the later riot grrl era
A Cornerstone of not only punk and 3rd wave ska, but the seeds of future Riot Grrrl music. Great stuff, and super accessable.
This was really catchy and really energetic punk that is pretty distinct from its peers at the time. Good stuff.
This was a really fun album overall, though it lost a bit of steam for me with “Germ Free Adolescents” (title track) and the following songs. I did listen to its twice though, and could definitely see myself revisiting many songs!
This would baaaaaang live
these people love yelling about the underground
Whatever
It is quite great, almost excellent.
i'm not weird for immediately loving Poly Styrene's vocals, right? everyone treats it like this acquired taste, but i personally find her stylings to hit that sweet spot between grating but also pretty melodic and memorable? its a damn shame she didn't put out one more album in the prime of the UK Punk scene before everything started splintering, because she's got a lot of personality when doing vocals -- no wonder she sticks with a lot of people getting into punk. of course, she isn't the only reason the record's great. i think putting saxophone on your punk rock record at a time when that was the cheeseball or dad rock instrument makes it stand out from every other 70's band with loud simple chords and shouty vocals. it makes each song go from a typical uptempo punk number to a barnburner, searing a melody across the guitars, almost like a second vocalist. it's great. i might need to come back to this one some time soon.
Overall this has the potential to br a really fun punk album. I love the addition of the saxophone. The vocals were just way too much at certain points and detracted from the overall sound.
Energetic and fun punk. Standout songs: Lets Submerge Identity The Day the World Turned Day-Glo
3 - v samey
I didn't realize how much i disliked punk until i joined this site. Even less this cringy teenage stuff
Almost a perfect album, Plastic Bag and Warrior in Woolworths are not very good tracks but the highlights Art-I-Ficial, Let's Submerge and The Day the World Turned Day-Glo are outstanding especially when you realize the band was formed in '76 and this album released in '78.
Pretty great record. The sax adds to British punk rock guitar. I can hear roots for Sleater-Kinney and Amyl & the Sniffers here in Poly Styrene’s vocals.
Took a little to get used to her voice. A good punk record overall.
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.
Entre el New Wave y el Punk, X-Ray Spex desarrolla un LP increíble, ejecutado con un espíritu fresco directamente salido de los mejores garages de Inglaterra. Una excelente entrada en esta lista que, si bien no es tan influyente, promete unos buenos 43 minutos de entretención de la mano de una de las mejores vocalistas de punk del otro lado del Atlántico. Gran experiencia, por favor, escúchelo.
Damn near perfect album.
Relisten to this and previous one
Much more interesting and fun than the Ramones and some of the other late 70s punk I’ve come across. Sure, this is a must-listen, if nothing else than for the thrill of a creative early punk album. #51
Ze hadden duidelijk nog geen auto-tune vroeger
89/100
Musically, this was pretty good......except for the damn saxophone. They tried too hard to sound like a cross between The Sex Pistols and Blondie, but ended up sounding like Cyndi Lauper after a long night of doing speed.
I see what they are trying, but when the singer starts to sing it's just terrible
This was difficult to rate, it felt like it fell somewhere between 3 and 4 stars, but I'm going with 4, as I particularly enjoyed a few of the tracks.
decent instrumentation ruined by screaming singer. Nothing special about any of the songs anyway...
Great album. Want to give it 4 but something never stuck with X Ray Spex. Fuck it I will. Love the passion and it was kicking against the pricks
This is my shit!
Never heard of this group before. It's all very raw, jumbled, but they certainly have attitude. I guess that describes a lot of early punk from the 70's. The prominently featured (and oddly tuned) one-sax horn section immediately stands out, as you simply don't hear that in punk rock. More indicative of the era rather than the genre I guess. Also, I liked how Poly Styrene just vigorously yells the song title at the beginning of most of the tracks. Interesting early punk album that loses its momentum at some points.
Känner mig kluven. Grymt med tjej och punk men saxofon. Inte lika grymt. Drar ner betyget en del.
Helt ok punk. Tycker det är svårt att gilla rejält dock. Det gäller den mesta punken. Med något undantag.
Nja jag vetefasen. Saxpunk är uppenbarligen inte min grej (och då gillar jag ändå sax) och jag tycker inte hennes sång imponerar. Helt okej i övrigt. Stark tvåa.
Fun little surf punk album.
Lekker punkrock, maar nergens echt geweldig
Hoe kan ik dit ooit gemist hebben?
7/10
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
Great sound.. loads of energy still sounds fresh
Kinda of liked this. Don’t think I’ve heard a sax in punk music before (not ska). It works well.
The horns on tracks like Identity (which sounded like Chicago's "25 or 6 to 4") were a nice touch that elevated this beyond a generic punk album. Unfortunately the lead singer's voice was pretty difficult for me to listen to and frankly distracted me throughout the album. I don't think I'd ever put this on again, but I can see why someone else would love it and that they might have a great live show.
For a punk album, it's pretty damn good. The female vocals and the saxofone make it different from other ones.
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.
Wow, pretty cool album from a band I've never heard of before. Vocally, it's kind of like a punk Cyndi Lauper with it sounding a bit Sex Pistols and Blondie. It gets a little shrill at times though. There are horns too. I'll give this one another listen. Favorite track: Warrior in Woolworths
Saxophone and punk is way funner then I thought it would be! Punk sometimes is too punk for me and pushes it to a place that is not enjoyable. But this is the right amount of punk and then the addition of the saxophone gives it a fun and different sound. It almost becomes punk mixed with 50's bop music (clapping and talking part in I Can't Do Anything). Let's Submerge and I Can't Do Anything are my favorites.
I bet they were fun to see live. What's not to like? Punk rock w a strong female lead and sax! The sax was my favorite part. My favorites were Obsessed w You and Identity. I'm about a 3.5 with this but I'll go 4 cuz of the sizzling saxamaphone.
I liked the old school punk of all this, and especially loved the sax. The added layer of sound brought some fun and funk. Recording quality isn't great, but overall I quite enjoyed this!
Not for me, the sound was on the fence between punk and a more classic rock sound and a little far to the puck side for my ears.
Some fun punk. Some of the songs felt familiar, but I wasn't sure if I had actually heard them before.
Terrible singer with mediocre music behind it. It's bad so just save your time and listen to something else.
Great
He’ll fucking yea mate
A fun surprise!
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.
I love the sax on some of the tracks, but great rock with excellent female vocals.
Quality, fun punk, 4.5
Même si je commence à en avoir ras le cul des albums punks de cette liste, je dois avouer que celui-ci se distingue des autres par son drôle concept omniprésent dans toutes les tracks et par sa chanteuse du calibre des best du Riot Grrrl
Really enjoyed this. Much prefer this type of punk to the Sex Pistols.
solid first wave punk, the sax is the good kind of sax, which is hard to pull off
6.5/10
In 2011, when Poly Styrene—arguably punk’s best stage name—lost her battle with breast cancer, there was an overdue surge of appreciation for her solo work and Germfree Adolescents, the only proper X-Ray Spex album. That was my first real encounter with her music, and now, years later, these tracks still have the same magnetic pull. Let’s make no mistakes: this is one of the most messily delivered albums on the list (in the best way possible). The musicianship is scrappy at best, but that’s punk rock for you. Melodies and message took the front seat, while nailing a tricky Fmaj7#11 or G13sus4 was, let’s say, optional. Germfree Adolescents has both punch and plenty of hooks, its raw energy infused with a sharp sense of alienation and a swipe at mindless consumerism and plastic conformity. The saxophone is an unexpected and essential twist—more ska territory than punk but here it adds a playful roughness. It is always almost on the beat and more or less in tune, giving the whole album its chaotic charm. At the core of it all is Poly Styrene herself, defying expectations with her bold image and delivery. Back in 1978, seeing a woman lead guitar-driven music, confrontational yet playful, was rare—arguably, it still is. Her cry against artificiality and rampant commercialism feels as relevant now as it did then. And yes, I get the irony of streaming this album with Amazon open in another tab. I should do better. Did/Do I own this release? No. Does this release belong on the list? Yes. Would this release make my personal list? Unlikely. Will I be listening to it again? Occasionally.
I really enjoyed reading about Poly Styrene and the X-Ray Specs, and this female fronted 70s punk record. Hell yeah
L7 must have been influenced by them because some of the sound is identical. The trumpet amidst punk rock is an interesting combination, but it kind of works. It was interesting enough to listen to. Not sure I would seek it out again though
Phenomenal work here from an early, female led, sax toting, punk project. Real hidden gem. I think the vocals are a tad too aggressive, but I'm forever grateful that I had no input on the production. This is what music used to be.
I found this slightly annoying. And as with other punk records I’m sure it was so cool at the time but just feels dated now. Pretty good songwriting in general though. ‘Identity’ in particular is a great song. I also appreciate the use of saxophone throughout.
really enjoyed this. Particular shoutout to Genetic Engineering, new favourite work song
It's crazy how "fully formed" punk was from the start. This still sounds fresh. Hard to imagine Bikini Kill or Sleater-Kinney without this album. This might even be a better collection of songs than the best BK or SK albums...
#76 - kinda fun and of it's time.
fun
This is really, really rough. I usually use Ramones as my exemplar for unpolished garage-rock by guys (and gals!) who lack traditional musical training. But this CD is even less polished and the musicians even less well-trained, so I probably have to switch to insulting bands by comparing them to Germfree Adolescents (note: I like Ramones). The singer is awful. Aside from the (?!?!) saxophonist, nobody in the band can really play their instrument above an intermediate level. None of the songs are the least bit noteworthy in terms of composition. The best cover for those sorts of deficiencies is to be fast and loud - and they are indeed fast and loud (it gets a little slow towards the end). On that basis I thought about giving them a 2. But I really didn't enjoy the CD at all, it's not very fun, and moreover, I can't even count how many punk CD's I'd have to put on here before this one is worthy of inclusion. 1001 is a lot, but I bet I could get there.
Fun punk rock/new wave
Where has this one been hiding all of these years? A half-Somali woman-led 70s punk band with saxophones? It's as amazing as it sounds! It seems obvious that this would be a major influence on bands like Bikini Kill. While the classic punk bands like the Sex Pistols needed to demonstrate their angry and disenfranchised attitude at every corner, it's bands like X-Ray Spex that dared to actually have some fun doing it. The gaudy, bright outfits on the cover stand in stark contrast to standard Vivian Westwood punk style that the genre is famous for. As early as 1978, it was the women who were keeping punk fresh.
Really enjoyed the music, fun punk with a sax!!! Would have ranked higher if they were instrumentals… her voice was rough 😬
Catchy songs. Terrible voice 3 ⭐️
The most underrated gem of an album, ever!
good vibes i suppose
Wow, that was annoying
Not bad, not bad
Warrior in Woolworths is very solid. Let's Submerge also carries forward with a great energy. Solid songwriting and good use of horns. I Am A Poseur has a nice hop to it. Reminds of a more freewheeling and crusty Pat Benatar. Germfree Adolescence is a standout here -- production is cool with the echoey synths. Plastic Bag is also a jam -- like what they do with the tempo play. This was in all parts more enjoyable than I expected. Maybe not something I would throw on frequently, but a fine ride straight through. Solid 4 / 5.
Out of all of the punk we have listened to, this has got to be in the top 5 albums. There were definitely some 4 star songs on this one, but the album didn't quite put it all together to get into that realm for me.
At first thought this was going to be a standard boring punk album. But turned out to be pretty sweet with the horns and distortion electric guitar, especially on Identity. Germfree Adolescence sounds like the start to a War on Drugs song. Her voice was pretty harsh and never clicked for me. Some songs were pretty boring and they just used the normal punk drumming pattern the whole time which gets very old. But this was actually a pretty cool album.
When she said "my mind is like a plastic bag" I really felt that. I wrote this as a joke but this song akshually fux. Pretty solid for some punk! Definitely some of the better ones we've had. High 3.
This is #day73 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... wow, that sax! 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 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day74.
Never heard of this band... The album is a no from both of us
Nice
Not heard of this before, what a trip!
Messy, punky, noisy. An acquired taste. 5/10
“I Can’t Do Anything” really summed it up.
It was OK. 2.5
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
Ihan swengaavaa punkkia saxofonin kanssa, mutta en oikein ymmärrä miksi tämä levy on tällä listalla. Tää on tullut 2001 niin ei tää oo ollut mitenkään merkittäväkään. Tykkää ken tykkää. Parhaat: Age, Obsessed With You
Classic punk rock album. Rare to hear a woman in a punk band in the 70's. Not a bad album.
Totally old school punk. It is a classic LP
X-RaySpex war eine der wenigen Frauen Punkbands. Geile Mucke
I had absolutely zero expectations, which makes being blown away even more delicious. What a band; what a charismatic lead vocal performance. Highlights: Art-I-Ficial, Warrior in Woolworths, Identity
Obviously you come for Poly Styrene's vocals. What a voice for punk. However, the lyrics and tone are pretty incisive, and the band offers an edgy-but-informed take on the 1970s UK punk scene. Has some pop elements that foreshadow the impending post-punk wave but I don't think this detracts from a band that should be on any OG punk playlist.
The Spotify link goes to an Anthology not the original album. Make sure you do a little search to get the Album. This is a great album. Loved it.
Low-fi, but not in a good way. I'm sorry, I did not like the lead singer's voice, the music was mediocre and I have to take away a star for the absolutely terrible and often out of tune sax playing which was just mind grating.
Epitome of female punk!
1st generation UK punk that has a real "bunch of kids fucking around having a good time making some noise together" feel to it. There’re the basic guitar/bass/drum punk chugga chugga boom riffs but on top you have wild sax and harmonized guitar parts taking turns playing big hooks over/inbetween Poly Styrene’s distinctive singing: forceful and nasal and charismatic in its "who cares if I’m on key, I’m here to rock" energy - the OG brat. Some great lines: “my mind is like a plastic bag, it sucks up all the rubbish fed in through my ear!”. A punk circus.
Okay, surprisingly good album, with few exceptions. I quite liked Poly's vocal, music wasn't ordinary, as it is with punk in general, I enjoyed most of the record. It's quite unexpected, because after looking at the album cover, I was ready to skip it.
Actually hating this one. Like sandpaper for the ears.
This was enjoyable. Fun, great guitar parts, and the use of horns makes it stand out in the crowd. Sounds like a cross between Blondie and The Clash to me
Pretty classic sounding british punk album - full of attitude, particularly from lead singer Poly Styrene (great name). The saxophone elements are a highlight of this record for me, those brass notes really do elevate some of the songs. However, I felt like the album was a bit repetitive and got a bit stale after the first half. It does take a bit of an interesting take on an anti-capitalist agenda (the focus on sterilisation and germs, using this is a bit of a metaphor for capitalist society, wiping up the 'bacteria' of the working class), but ironically things started getting a little bit sterile to me after 40 minutes. 5/10
Short, but beautiful.
Fun album. Liked the addition of horns to some early pop/punk music. Overall decent. 3/5 Might listen again
Панк-рок с прикольным женским вокалом. Но особенно трек никакой в душу не запал
Mikið echo, mjög hress saxófónn, töff rödd og afar hressandi lög. Ef við þurfum að hafa pönk, þá er þetta pönkið sem ég kýs.
Super fun
4.0
Doesn’t really do anything for me but i do like it a little but won’t be returning to it
Cool early girl punk.
Too loud. I'm old.
Great for their time. Less saxophone would've been nice, but fits the period.
Germfree Adolescents is a five star masterpiece, fuck whatever you're saying. Poly Styrene’s sharp critiques of consumerism, her incredible vocals, and the genius inclusion of saxophone create a vibrant, boundary-pushing punk record. While the raw, lo-fi production may be an acquired taste, the sheer originality and electrifying energy make this an essential listen.
uhhh that was... something
A fun punk classic. Hear a lot of influences to Sleater-Kinney on here. Love all the sax. Probably not something I will return to a lot but a fun short listen.
This was interesting - refreshingly different punk-ish. High energy, high volume, with some witty lyrics. The accent and the casio-saxophone grated a bit by the end though. 3.5/5
no
Probably most influential riot girls album
After listening to this record, as a producer I would have suggested only one change, which was to take the instruments in the higher registers and encourage them to drop them down one octave, in order to let Poly Styrene have that entire register to her vocals, because it was difficult at times to enjoy the vocals because there wasn't enough headroom for them to shine. As a fan of grrl rock and punk, I am aware of the influence this band had on the grrl rock and punk throughout the late 70s and 80s, so it gets a 3 instead of the customary 2 I would have given this record if they just were just an ordinary punk act that came along decades later.
fun cover art but didn’t like
Listened to the first few tracks and likely won’t go back but some decent, standard punk
Didn't listen real close but seemed unremarkable
Angsty punk rock 🤘🏻
no.
Don’t really care for this kind of punk. Middle songs were the best.
Enjoyable 3.5
Punk rock new wave. Chulo.
I was bought up listening to this band. Some people thing little girls should be seen and not heard. Not after this album.
Not great
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
Talking and yelling and rocking. late 70's
So cool - these guys (probably mostly polly styrene) had an ethos, a vision, a style! Singing in what I think of as Johnny Rotten delivery - often sadly imitated by punks to come but she and he were pretty much originating it as far as I can tell. Love the aesthetics, the themes, the saxophone, and the songs have pretty solid hooks.
This is what I imagine my parents would listen to in high school if they did a ton of cocaine
relatively cool for never-heard-of punk album
I hated the 1st track, but it gets better. Some cool punk songs on here, but overall didn't think the album fits in the 1001 albums to listen to before you die...
Two great opening tracks, then felt banal throughout. Liked the use of the sax though, touched on some interesting points about consumerism too
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.
Fun album, superb sax, a bit shouty.
I wanted to stop listening halfway through track 1, but I'm glad I persevered. Oddly jaunty, this. Definite shades of Debbie Harry in there at times, too.
This is fast becoming the 1,001 albums to avoid.
This is so cheesy :lol: :lol: :lol:
Super rough mod pop punk, no frills all jams
8/10. This is a really interesting album in comparison to other punk albums. I felt some retro vibes. The vocals were interesting. In general, I enjoy punk music with female vocals over punk music with male vocals. :)
Vocals a bit grating
During the first song I thought I’d hate to this but it grew on me and eventually I quite liked it.
Close to a 4 but the singer was just a little too annoying
Had a great time with this. Flirted with a 4
Fine
This has all the things I like in music but just couldn't get into it
I hate man punk. I love woman punk.
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
Pour un album de 1978, me semble préfigurer la musique des années 1990, le punk, les Riot grrrls (Bikini Kill), utilisation des cuivres. La première pièce m'a un peu rebutée, mais j'ai aimé le reste, l'énergie et l'humour.
I enjoyed the energy, singing, and saxophone!
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
I like punk, but I don't get this one. Maybe it's the vocal, maybe it's too positive of a melody for me and my image of punk rock. 2.5/5.
The music wasn't bad, but I couldn't get behind the rest. Eh, win some, lose some.
Proto Amyl
70’/
Proof that punk can be fun to the point of being silly. A lot of other punk is tongue-in-cheek funny while still being angry or critical of the status quo (Sex Pistols), or self-deprecating humor (Ramones), but X-Ray Spex is in your face about shit as mundane as plastic bags. Not a favorite album of mine but it also set the stage for many more punk and alternative acts, especially the riot grrrl movement. The first time I listened, I wasn’t a big fan of Poly Styrene’s voice, but it’s grown on me the more I’ve heard.