Germfree Adolescents

This one was a pleasant surprise. Fun vocals, and loved some of the instrumentation.

The Sex Pistols may have been a cynically manufactured band, but the one thing they did do is inspire a substantial number of people who saw their early shambolic gigs to go out and start their own punk bands. In 1976 Marianne Elliot-Said (better known as Poly Styrene) did exactly that by putting a small ad in the music papers and so X-Ray Spex were formed. They were an unusual band in many respects, not least for their anti-capitalist and feminist lyrics and probably the only early punk band to feature a saxophone which was the perfect foil for Poly Styrene’s wailing vocal style. I was slightly too young for the first wave of punk, but hearing songs like Identity and the sessions they did for John Peel certainly left an impression on me as a dorky, germ free adolescent. Oh-Bondage-Up-Yours-tastic!

John Coltrane would be spinning in his grave if he heard these blaring, mutilated saxophones over this yelpy lady. A horrible album from front to back. 1/5

the way i CHEERED when i pulled this one

Punk? All women? Who cares. Album did not suck. 995

It felt like Blondie but without personality.

An all girl British punk band -- yes please! This is especially welcome after the heaviness of the previous days album. This definitely doesn't suck... and I feel like one listen through wasn't enough. I plan on more spins on this in the near future. I was surprised how quickly this seemed to go despite being a double album.

Some fun moments but overall not my style.

Pure class. RIP Poly

Identity Germ Free Adolescents The Day the World Turned Day-Glo

I have this as an expanded 2CD version, one of a ridiculous number of versions of this classic UK punk album. I suspect X-Ray Spex were more of a singles band really. But the original release is an excellent bunch of tracks with only a couple of clunkers.

התחיל מעניין ונהיה מחורבן די מהר

This is slick punk, and I'm mad at myself for not listening sooner.

One of the greatest first generation punk albums made. Genre-defining in its sound, attitude, and themes. Poly Styrene's vocal delivery is incredible; having the power of a battering ram while maintaining a melodic, yet often, satirical sweetness.

2.5

Really liked this one. Great energy, solid punk riffs, solid vocals from Poly Styrene. Can see the influence on 90s riot grrl. And that sax. Just a lot of fun.

The Johnny Rotten imitation stopped being cute pretty quickly. Interesting to listen to once but I would be glad to never hear this again.

Essential punk. Fantastic!

Wow this one caught me so off-guard. Love the vocals, the lyrics, the energy of the performances, and the variety of sounds here! Still have Identity stuck in my head, and Plastic Bag somehow feeling like a more punk-ish BCNR song despite being released nearly 50 years ago is so cool. 4.5!

Just awesome

The Good: We won't be getting sick! The Bad: Turns out that germs aren't the only things that can make us sick... The Ugly: The end of our youth... without germs... The good thing about real punk is that the songs tend to be nice and short... so, technically, we can deal with it okay. However, even a short punk song can just start irritating a little too much. Not that this was terrible... it just wasn't anything... So, in the spirit of short punk songs, here ends my short rating. 2*

Reminds me of early Runaways

4/10

Pierwszy raz o tej grupie dowiedziałam się dzisiaj! I całkiem mnie cieszy to odkrycie, zwłaszcza, że punkowy zryw mam już od jakiegoś czasu. I to jeszcze grupa z żeńskim leadem, no czego chcieć więcej w taki paskudny poranek jak ten. Może płyta nie jest wybitna, raczej prosta i zadziorna, ale muzyka definitywnie mi się spodobała.

Fantastic album I am glad I discovered this. I love dirty saxophone in Punk and Rock, like Stooges, Psychedelic Furs, Morphine and Roxy Music. So many great Punk Girl bands followed in their footsteps, like recently Amyl and the Sniffers.

4/10

Not much to say. More punk but with a female singer, which is at least different. And I’ll be honest, I preferred that over the same old same old. I liked the upbeat grooves, I liked the horns, but that still doesn’t make this something I would choose to listen to.

This falls soundly into the “bad music” category. I know the album is almost 50 years old, but it’s nearly impossible to understand the lyrics and the singer drops in and out of being in-tune more than she should. I give credit for the musicality as the guitar, drums, and horns were all on point, but that’s the best I can do.

Can I combine my last 2 albums and get a young Leonard Cohen to become the lead singer here? Then, we’d really have something. As it stands, it’s filled with pretty forgettable punk instrumentals behind the ‘unique’ schtick of a female ‘singer’ fronting the band. Not much to compel a second listen to any of it.

Great band name. Great punk album title. Shame the music isn't very good.

I've always liked X ray spex but I'm yet to find an album that I meld with all the way through this is really good though

I enjoyed this far more than I was expecting. The sax really adds something here!

5 stars for the name Poly Styrene, 2 stars for the music good christ that was nearly a 1

Pretty cool punk album, don't really find much special about it but it has a good energy

I switched from Birdcloud to this and honestly, I keep forgetting that I did. It’s probably because o went from woman singer to woman singer. And I guess I music has faint similarities. This lies more in the light punk genre. Not as sell out as pop punk, don’t mistake them. This won’t please your mom like crappy pop punk artists Green Day. No, this lies just outside of that. Where anger means something. And don’t get me wrong with the anger part. I sense no real anger feel, it’s not a harder edge vocal sound than what pop punk would be. Ok enough of that shit. So out of an unexpected album sound, does that make sense? These guys and girls or girl are a pleasant surprise. I didn’t think I’d like it. I’m surprised I have never heard of them. They get a follow. There isn’t a single thing wrong with this album for what it is offering. Well, it lacks a take home track. There’s that.

You have to give X-Ray Specs credit: In a time when punk was predominantly male dominated these five women came out swinging and kicking ass. And on Art-I-Ficial who doesn’t want a punk Sax solo! There are some really good rockers in here like Genetic Engineering and I’m a Poser. But I gotta say the groovy downtempo reggae inspired Germ-Free Adolescence I think my favorite song just because it was so different than everything that was on the album. Sometimes it’s easy to play fast and hard. It’s harder to play consistent and slow. I hadn’t heard this album before, but I can guarantee you, I’m coming back again. They were great!

Random thoughts: * London girl punk-pop inspired by the Sex Pistols! How have I never heard of this?!?! * This was a fun listen and these girls can thrash and wail. * One of the things I read pointed out that they had a saxophone which definitely adds a level to the proceedings and is very unique in punk bands. * "Warrior in Woolworths" was my favorite track but there wasn't really any bad tracks. I actually listened to this one a couple of times. I could see myself returning to this one. * Definitely a good 1001 inclusion and discovery! The music education continues!

fun!

It’s punky. It’s poppy. It’s got a saxophone while I’m not in love with the lead singers voice, I like the high energy and non stop beats. Fun.

Infectious, angry anti-consumerist punk? Hell yeah!

I fucking love Poly Styrene as a front woman. What a legend

Well this was fun!

Great album of pop punk from a band that didn’t sound like anyone else at the time. Catchy songs and not all at one volume and tempo. It's a shame Poly Styrene left us so early but the band left us a great set of songs here. 4

Pretty cool

Overall: 7/10 Pretty good classic punk album with great female vocals and some interesting instrumentation going on. Not much different from other punk albums of the time, but this was the best era for punk so it's not a big complaint. Fav Song: Germfree Adolescents

Pretty solid female-led punk.

Alright female lead punk outfit

This was a bit like the auditory equivalent of drinking room temperature Cutty Sark from a paper cup with a splash of Sharkleberry Fin Kool-Aid and a couple of blue cheese stuffed olives skewered by one of those translucent plastic swords. And yet, as vile of an assault on the senses as this chaotically cacophonic concoction was, I still came back for fourths. I'm gonna have one hell of a hangover tomorrow...

This was a chaotic good time. Loved it.

1978 new wave - Go gos The day the world turned day-glo Warrior in woolworth's I am a poseur

Hits all of the right notes and is probably underrated historically, but it still doesn't scratch the itch for me. I don't find any replay value in any of these songs, which is too bad, but I can't force myself to love it. Solid punk rock, fun saxophone parts sprinkled throughout, but it's passable rather than great.

Didn't think this album had a lot to offer. It was as if Blondie decided to write terrible songs and scream more. Not very good.

Highlights: Art-I-Ficial, Obsessed With You. Poly Styrene is fantastic. The band is great. As for the sax... The saxophone was fun at first. By track three I was hoping for a reprieve from sax. Nope. Saxophone. Saxamophone! NOT EVERY TRACK NEEDS THE BLOODY SAXOPHONE!!! Overall: 5/10

Punk isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it is mine and this album slaps from the very start, musically this is very typical late 70s British punk but with a hint of ska and female vocals giving it its own unique place in the genre… my only criticism is that towards the end the album was starting to drag a bit and the last few track seemed to blend together… but overall a fantastic album and one I will revisit

8/10 X-Ray Spex are a band that I know of, but haven’t really heard more than in snippets, so as a punk appreciator, this is an exciting one to review. The band was formed by Poly Styrene (brilliant punk name) after she saw the Sex Pistols play in 1976. I know that their most distinctive elements are both the use of saxophones and Poly’s vocal style, which is full of attitude, bite and power. As soon as the record started, I knew I was in for a treat. The production and instrumental tones sound about a decade or more ahead of their time, and are far more reminiscent of the 90s wave of punk that bands like Green Day, NOFX and the Offspring than that of late 70s punk acts. In fact, I found the bass playing of Paul Dean to remind me quite a bit of the style that Mike Dirnt would adopt with Green Day. It’s tight, punchy and adventurous, avoiding the root note cliché of punk bass and giving a lot more movement and melody to the low end. The use of the sax also adds to the flavour difference against punk of this era, and feels like something of a precursor to the Ska Punk that would emerge at a similar time to the previously mentioned bands. The overwhelming feeling I had listening to this record was how much bloody fun it is. They chuck out great riffs, cool melodies, wicked sax solos and bags and bags of attitude like it’s going out of fashion, but just when you’re starting to tire of that schtick, they slap out a new wave pop track from nowhere to keep things fresh, before bouncing back to the punk intensity from before. It’s great stuff and Poly’s vocal style just encapsulates that perfectly. Is she the greatest vocalist of all time? No. Not even close, but she blends with the band’s sound perfectly and the wit and charisma of her singing feels completely genuine and is incredibly engaging. There are times when this does get a little bit samey, but they do their best to add some range here and there, and the fact that it’s smashed out in 35 minutes really helps to ensure that it doesn’t outstay its welcome. I’m delighted to have heard this, and I feel like some of the later bands that I really like owe a debt of gratitude to X-Ray Spex, as it feels like an important step in the development of punk into a slightly different shape. I’ll definitely be back to this, and I’m looking forward to check out more of their work. Art-I-Ficial - It’s a strong old start, isn’t it? Sonic fun, good pace and cool riffs. And then Poly comes roaring in with her punky, attitude laden vocal work. What could make this cooler? Oh, maybe throwing in a sax! There’s loads of drive to this, some solid hooks and it’s just a massive amount of fun. It also has a bit more of an interesting approach to melody than some punk has, particularly from the sax. Strong. Obsessed With You - Woof, more great riff work, and the bass work that pumps along underneath it is solid. The lead guitar and sax punctuation is quality and Poly gives us more power and swagger with her vocals. The pace is breakneck, and it does its thing and then gets out of there. More fantastic sax punk. Warrior In Woolworths - I mean, the title alone is brilliant. It’s a more new wave pop effort and Poly’s vocal ability is a touch more exposed here, but it still retains charm. I really like some of the melodic choices they make as a band though, which are close to what you’d expect, but with a cool little twist. Now they’ve slowed down the pace, they’ve shown they can groove too. Let's Submerge - They pump the pace back up again and get stuck in. It’s got more good hooks, more cool riffs, and another fun sax solo. The songs are very much of a type, but when you’re this good at nailing something like that, why rock the boat? And it doesn’t really matter when you’re smashing out 12 tracks in 35 minutes before hitting the pub for last orders! I Can't Do Anything - Back to something a bit more poppy. Again, Poly’s vocal is a bit weaker when it’s not got the pace and drive behind it. The spoken word stuff is really good though, so swings and roundabouts. The sax line is great, the bass line is fantastic too. Perhaps not my favourite track all in, but it’s still pretty solid. Identity - Some of the guitar work, and the guitar tone itself is just excellent here. Dual saxes too. This feels a bit like a precursor to 90s ska-punk in a pretty strong way, but was about 15 years ahead of its time. It could easily have been dragged off a Save Ferris album. It’s so much fun, and they write some really top hooks. They also don’t outstay their welcome. Genetic Engineering - Again, the overall sound of this record is incredibly strong. I love the way they build some of their riffs and Paul Dean does so much good work to add extra excitement through his bass lines. I reckon Mike Dirnt from Green Day is probably a fan, because I can hear echoes of this in his playing. It’s weighty and pacy and Poly has such a cool vocal delivery that’s rough edged but not nasty. More fun stuff. I Live Off You - They’re very rhythmically strong and while this has a bit more of a trad punk compositional style, they still do it with their own flair (and more great sax work). The punctuation and breakdowns are particularly strong and bam! They’re done. What’s not to love? I Am A Poseur - This intro could have been plucked out of an Offspring song. But let’s not forget, this is from 1978. There’s more strong rhythmic work , great charm to the vocal, quality bass work, fun sax parts. It’s all incredibly coherent and (I’ll say it again and again) fun. I’m having a lovely time with this record, and this is another strong piece of work. Germ Free Adolescence - A nice change of pace now. It’s got a bit of grit and grime to it, but it’s another slightly more poppy effort, with some great melodic writing. Poly’s actually a better singer than one might think, and this has got great charm to it. The general sound here is pretty interesting, and it’s a nice variation on the rest of the album while maintaining the same attitude and swagger. Plastic Bag - This one has cool pacing and dynamic range. It’s fast and furious in sections, and slow and swampy in others. It’s got an almost psychedelic edge with some of the production during the slower sections. I think the fast bits are great, but I’m not 100% sold on the slower stuff, though it’s nice to have something with a bit more range. The Day The World Turned Dayglo - Back to something more in line with the earlier tracks on the album. The guitars sound great and again, it’s got touches of the ska punk sound that would follow. There are some great guitar riffs, and some more fab sax work. Poly’s vocal here is probably actually one of the strongest on the record and the whole sound is full, brash and brilliantly executed. So much fun and a great way to bow out.

furre

A perfect record. I wouldn't change one thing about it.

Enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. Fun to listen to.

Not my favorite type of music, but a bit of fun nevertheless

Até o nome é doloroso

This is just plain awful. My middle school's worst garage band was better than this.

Helt ok punkalbum

early punk doesn't do it for me

idk

Right up there with Television's Marquee Moon in shaping the next decade of music.

I’m not a huge punk listener, but I actually enjoyed quite a lot about this album. The saxophone gives the music a surprisingly poppy and playful edge, and it really helps the record stand out. Poly Styrene’s voice is clear, strong and full of personality, and there is a lot of energy throughout the album. Even though it was released in 1978, parts of it still sound surprisingly fresh and could easily pass for something much newer. Punk is still not really my genre, but this album definitely has character and enough interesting ideas to keep me listening. 3/5

Another punk band I never heard of but this time sounded so much like Blondie

Loved the punk vibe saved for sure

Answers the age old question “what if punk plus saxophones?” The answer to which is “sick”.

Never heard these folks before and liked it a whole bunch. Punk rock with a sax. I’m not handing out fives as freely as I did before but will return to this one to consider.

As with many punk albums of this era, I like elements of the album whilst feeling flat about it. The musicianship is good and individually the tracks are enjoyable, but the vocal delivery and flow of the record feels so one note. It’s just not my favourite genre at all - 5/10.

acho que foi o que menos gostei até agora. a sonoridade não me agradou

When you look in the mirror Do you see yourself? Do you see yourself On the T.V. screen? Do you see yourself in the magazine? When you see yourself Does it make you scream?

Something this album brings to the table that I didn't realize was missing from so many punk albums is the saxophone. Between that an Poly Styrene's vocals, this was a really fun time. Let's Submerge, I Live Off You, Germfree Adolescents all rule.

Pretty great - female vocals and sax are enough to separate it from just being a sex pistols knock off

I think that saxophones don’t have a large place in punk music for a reason 2

Track By Track Art - I - Ficial - more tuneful than yesterday’s record! Still very punk though, singing about ‘consumer society’ and the like. Saxophone’s a nice touch as well. I also quite like that yesterday I had the Germs and now… With the titles and their names etc. as well, it’s like they have a gimmick or style or something? Obsessed With You - Slightly more hardcore this one, especially with the guitar chords. Again, lyrics reflecting consumer society etc. Warrior In Woolworths - I remember Woolworths! What a throwback! Nice opening riff. What’s coming to mind it’s like a punk rebellious (possibly criminal) nowhere man. I kind of love the sax, but it also sounds so dated! It’s funny :) Let’s Submerge - ooo. You know what this is reminding me of? Rocky Horror. It’s that sax and the dancy, jumpy rock feel to it. It’s quite fun I must admit, despite it being of the time. It’s also very teen. I Can’t Do Anything - More poppy (kind of). It’s like this could be at a school dance or something. Maybe they were in their teens or early twenties when they started? That’s the energy I’m getting anyway. The imagery (‘plastic popper beads’ & ‘my pet rat’) very much evokes ‘70s/‘80s teen vibes. Identity - it’s very universal as a teen experience. I didn't love this song musically as much but can see why it may have been a single. Genetic Engineering - it’s kind of sweet and also a little annoying that they announce the song’s title at the beginning. Bit grating and monotonous shouty singing in this one. Kind of interesting lyrics. They’ve got a formula of sorts and a thing going with that sax of theirs. I Life off You - Again very social commentary, amidst joyful soundtrack. Speaking about certain issues of the time maybe. Very simple in structure. I Am a Poseur - Very basic tune. A bit too noisy this one, for me. Didn’t love particularly. Germfree Adolescence - This one is different. Liking the echoey delay on the guitar. Health anxiety theme? Is there another meaning? I’m not sure! Plastic Bag - Bit more of an epic one. Kind of a sterilising theme continued here. It’s quite astute though in the lyrics talking again about consumer cultur The Day The World Turned Day - Glo - I’m a little bored of this kind of vocal delivery at this point if I’m honest. Grating noisy harmony also. Did not really enjoy this one. Age (Bonus Track) - Good guitar intro. It’s like a lot of these punk songs, they have lyrics that any one of them could be like a banner or a poster or something. Like an emotion distilled. Highly Inflammable (Bonus Track) - Recalls almost ‘50s doo-wop or something. With that futuristic twist with what sounds like synths or that kind of effect. Kind of prefer the harmony on this one as well. Quite nice. Overall Review: It definitely has a theme. Mostly teenage shouty anthems and at times social commentary that’s witty in the lyrics. Reckon many teens would have dug this back in the day. Also, I do quite like the name Poly Styrene. Again, it’s not massively my thing and I wouldn’t listen to this whole album again probably, but there were some fun moments on it for sure. Preferred the first half of the album to the second mostly. 2.5/5 Favourite Songs: Warrior In Woolworths, Let’s Submerge

quality punk with clear messaging and great instrumentalism but HER VOICE IS SO FUCKING AWFUL

Great energy and vibes

So sick, the sax is awesome the riffs often heavy and even Hardcore esque, the vocals reminiscent of riot grrrl stuff a few years later.

I don’t think of felt such a strong disconnect between a band and its singer before. I loved the instrumentals, could have done with different vocals.

Listened before? No Familiar with the artist? No Thoughts: - Wasn't excited for this after getting an unknown '70s "punk" album yesterday that I didn't like; but this one was great! 😅 - At least 3 songs here begin by just shouting the title, lmao. - It was fun! I think I'd listen to enough of these songs again to push it to a 4. Favorite track(s): I Can't Do Anything

Feels like a high school band from the garage, applaud the vibe

This project lacks representation from the great women of music, so it’s always nice when there’s an album that pops up that comes up that is not an obvious add. Fantastic 70’s pop punk with a touch of political charge. Satisfying quick hitters over the course of this album, great yelps, great punk. Plastic bag was the longest track and stood out as my overall favourite. 4 stars

Predecessor to whiny rock

shrill

Not bad

The near-continuous shouting was somewhat fatiguing to listen to.

Yknow I feel like it’s been a while since we had to listen to punk so I’m going into this with a bit more of an open mind I think for punk standards there’s actually some good stuff in here; vocals are about as non-abrasive as you’re gonna get in the genre, the variety is way better than other works we’ve had, and instrumentation is more than passable and actually tries to sound good at times As always, this is not a genre that is near and dear to me; I think the ceiling for me is super low, and even a great punk song is just kinda ok for me. Personal taste and all that, but I’ve seen very few examples of punk artists finding that fine line between harsh sound and creating an absorbing, enjoyable record. Also this one just kinda feels…lame. In other punk records we’ve had where there’s really strong theming, even if I don’t like the music I at least feel the message they’re delivering, but I don’t think X Ray Spex does a good job on this one. This is like a low 3 for me; I feel like if I had this during one of those weeks where we got 4 other punk albums I’d rate this lower but objectively this is less abrasive and more my thing. I still don’t like the genre though lol

Spencer I owe you an apology Sometimes women's voices can just sound fucking awful Also: CAUGHT UP BABEYYYYYY we were able to overcome a 40 album deficitttt

This is fine, perhaps just a little too much shrieking and shouting for my tastes Fave track: The Day the World Turned Day-Glo

Albums like these would be better if they were 10 minutes shorter. 2.5/5

Love the sax, sass, and sentiments. Excellent.

Now this is some good, classic punk! Anti-capitalist messages, some good shredding on the guitar, it's got everything!

Nice use of the phaser on the guitar, ska-like sax solo's and the occasional switch up of the song structure make it an excellent punk listen throughout. The girls did punk better. Maybe because they had more to be pissed about.

This was a fun punky album. The sax on several tracks was a nice touch.

Generic punk rock. Sounds like the music from a party scene in a John Hughes movie. Why is it on this list?

“Duke, let's go do some crimes.” “Yeah. Let's go get sushi and not pay.” Repo Man (1984)

Really great punk album. I forgot all about them. What a voice

Meh, pretty primitive riot grl punk. Wasn't particularly good.