The Undertones

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die day 18 and boy, its going to be a long ride if I can manage to stick this out. I’m nowhere near triple digits, and this project is both rewarding and intimidating, equally. As a self described “Music Nerd”, I’m starting to realize that I’m more nerd and less knowledgeable. If you asked me to guess how many of these 1001 albums that I would know before buying this damn book, I’d confidently guess at least sixty percent. What a fool I was 18 days ago. Todays selection is the debut and self titled album from a Punk Rock slash Pop group called the Undertones. This is a great album to put on while you have a shower beer or two. It is fast paced, it’s uplifting, and the simple lyrics about girls and doing hood rat shit with your friends is enough to set the mood. Honestly though, Undertones debut album is largely forgettable. I can’t really explain it, I love these songs when they’re playing, but as soon as they’re over, I barely remember them. Bands like The Ramones sound very similar and are from the same era, yet had more lasting impressions with their compositions. I’m sure many bands took note of this band and built their craft on top of The Undertones established foundation in music, like, say, Green Day or maybe even Soundgarden. I appreciate this album, it is fun and youthful, it sounds great, it just didn’t leave a lasting impression on me. I’m sure it left enough of a lasting impression on other artists to follow their lead. Please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and memories!

16 tracks? I don’t want the deluxe version, I thought. But wait! This is the original version! This will take ages to listen to. But wait again! The album clocks in at a concise 35 minutes! Now that’s an album that breaks down the door, pushes you about for a bit and then gets the hell out of there! Punky, prickly, full of teenage hormones (Teenage Kicks a perfect pop song?), high energy, a really enjoyable album.

Holy hell 16 tracks and 34 minutes! I take longer pisses than some of these songs. Some pretty similar sounding pop punk songs to me. Nothing special or crazy to me though. Heard better punk.

So-called pop punk was a necessary tweak to keep punk going. You can only make angry, face spitting music for so long. The mid 70s recession had gone and by 1979 Thatcher was Prime Minister and the weary Sex Pistols fans stopped hitting the streets to burn shit and started to pop pills instead. The time was right for pop punk! This sub-genre of punk is probably the one I know best. A lot of my favourite bands like The Police, The Jam, The Pretenders, Joe Jackson were part of this and were getting traction in 1979. The Clash had been around for the angry years but they were getting more traction than ever as they embraced pop punk. I like the Undertones and the genre but the bands I note above will get the 4s and 5s. The Undertones are a few floors below.

The Undertones? More like the Underwhelmings. Straight forward early British punk but basically the same song 16 times on one album.

I was running late for my eldest daughter's parents evening a few years ago and didn't have time to change, so was wearing football shorts. As her geography teacher was talking some shit about how well she was doing, I felt a twinge in my stomach. I knew I was in trouble, but tried to stay composed. I'm sat there like "yeah, yeah, she knows all the capital cities of europe because of her years of child trafficking." We all laughed...but then, just as I was standing up to leave, my explosive diahorrea kicked in and launched a splurge of hearty brown liquid, splashing it all across a map of Africa. We all laughed. The Undertones were on in the car on the way home.

Listening to this album made me imagine my Dad careering around the streets of suburbia in his Vauxhall Viva modified with twin carbs; me in the back seat barely secured to the hot, faux leather vinyl that passed as a bench seat, him with his brown Aviators, 'tash, flared trousers and mop of hair blowing in the wind. Then I remembered he was more into Meat Loaf at the time and the daydream was shattered. Although lyrically, teenage kicks is still relevant today and the album as a whole was not unenjoyable if a little repetitive towards the end, I think this will end up forgotton, like a rusting car with Teenage Kicks as the singular component rescued and remembered in a museum of classics.

very enjoyable. norn iron doing a good.

i'm smarter than you

Ok, I consider myself a bit of a New Wave/Punk aficionado and I knew NOTHING about this group. Never heard of them. BLOWN. AWAY. This is what I love about this list. This. So obsessed.

What a great album. This is what rock and roll is all about. Young talented kids playing with an energy and joy that is absolutely infectious. 5 🌟

But of a wild album. Sounds like if the Dead Kennedy's made an album in the style of Rocky Horror Picture Show. And I've got absolutely no complaints. Big thumbs up from this guy.

upbeat energetic old school punk. nice and melodic. its short enough so as not to get repetitive. really good album

Incredibly punchy proto pop punk. This is concise, lean, and full of fun.

I've only been doing this for a few days and this is the first album I've heard that made me say, "Holy shit, how did I not know about this band?" "Teenage Kicks" is a great song but this album is full of catchy hooks and fun, upbeat pop punk that will make you thing of The Clash, The Ramones, and Dead Kennedys. I love it, and I will definitely be adding The Undertones to my library.

Throw the Ramones, Sex Pistols, and Clash into a blender, add a dash of Bryan Ferry's vibrato, then blend away, and I'm pretty sure the resulting concoction will be the Undertones. I don't know how this is the first time I've run across them, as this album is fantastic. This is top-notch old school punk*, and the last time I was this excited about a new (to me) band was when Roxy Music's debut album popped up a few weeks ago. I found a 26-track version of the album on YouTube, and there's a lot to love here. It starts off strong with "Family Entertainment," and while "The Girls Don't Like It," I sure do. "Teenage Kicks," "Get Over You," "Listening in," "Emergency Cases" ... So many good tracks. And a special shout-out to "Mars Bars," which is quite funny. Honestly, 26 tracks and I had no desire to skip any of them. That's the dream right there. *Except for "True Confessions," which starts with the line "Don't look so surprised," which amused me because it *was* a surprise, and came out of left field with a Devo-like new wave flavor that caught me completely off guard.

Sometimes the lyrics are a little problematic but overall I really like the album. High energy, I like the backup vocals being quite present, good performance, no lazy band members, singer is decent. Quantity over quality is a little issue, with most of the music being pretty simplistic, but does a great job as punk rock music. Does have a bit of variety but they mostly stick to fast-paced jams. Want to see their later stuff as apparently they change their style up.

One of the earliest pop-punk records, and it goes hard! The hooks are catchy with lots of energy, while still staying true to it's punk roots. Much less far removed than later pop-punk records, but all music evolves in some way. With all the songs on here, some of them don't stand too well, but the general tone of the record supports the lesser songs by keeping things moving.

This is a new band for me. Although not usually my style, The Undertones have produced a fairly decent album. It is an upbeat, simple and enjoyable album. With so many songs on the album, however, towards the end, they become a bit muddled and you kind of forget that they are separate songs. A good album but sadly I feel a forgettable one too.

I don’t know if it’s writers block, but I’ve started, stopped and restarted writing this review at least three times. I’ve tried a few different approaches so far, but, really, it just boils down to this: This is my type of punk. Give me a record like this over anything by the Clash or Pistols any day of the week.

John Peel's wet dream. I could only just about muster a semi.

Feargal Sharkey has such a great voice, and a great name for a rock star. The lyrics make you ask "Wow how young are these guys?" The songs are kind of throw-away, yet more complex and melodic that the 2-minute ditties we've received by American hardcore bans, with a few hit worthy like Teenage Kicks and Jimmy Jimmy.

Meh, I guess you had to have been there.

Out of all of the British punk albums we have listened to that was definitely one of them. Didn't love it or hate it. Just 34 minutes of music. Hilarious that they fit 16 songs into that amount of time

Lovely, more dogshit UK punk

Old Skool Punk Rock

Such a distinct yet immediately recognizable guitar sound. That vocally warble is great. Love this

One of my all time favorites

Clásico emocional.

I Gotta Getta – perfect bass drum. Rhythmically offset lyrics – first song is a gem. For 1979 wow.

Очень бодрый альбом и современно звучит! Легко могу представить его в саундтреке Тони Хоука, хотя он, вероятно, там уже есть. Очень классные песни, сразу хочется и танцевать и подпевать. И тут есть тинейдж кикс!!!

Never heard of this band before. Catchy… really fun! Favorite track: Get Over You. But I enjoyed the whole album. This sounds more modern to me than 1979. Lots of little musical surprises scattered throughout. Love the lead singer’s vocals. Definitely adding this to my library!

Classic, crisp and snappy punk tunes with witty lyrics. A perfect example of intelligent melodic punk

awesome!!

great album, don't think there was a song I didn't like really

https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/hodges/images/4/44/3281150-teenage_knix.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20190810144317

4.5/5

Initial thought: how many songs?! Good job The Undertones are ace... and many of them are short anyhow. Great fun rattling through this lot, it flew by. I love it.

Great great album

Exactly what I want from early punk

Very cool old-school punk album. Sounds a lot like the first Clash album.

Honestly one of the best discoveries I’ve had going through these albums. This is absolutely my shit.

Interesting fresh sound.

Yeah, this one’s special.

This is one of the reasons I come to this site! An amazing band I’ve never heard of, becoming something I want to listen to repeatedly

Let's go baby. The drums on Family Entertainment is the big hook. A collection of grooving, uptempo old school Brit punk.

It was fun

Oh, every different flavour of yes! So this is a brilliant album. Northern Irish. Equally angry as joyful. An almost perfect rock album. The only criticism I could level at it is that it doesn't include "It's going to happen".

I really enjoyed this one!

epic, a must own.. 5 stars is not enough.

Dang I liked this album. I hadn’t heard of them. After finishing the album I listened to it again and then looked at their other stuff. Kind of a rocking poppy punky style that was light and fun. Neat

A legendary album with one of the best songs ever written included. Great range of songs that have a real kick

очень хорошо :))))) люблю англичан бодренько

Absolutely jam packed album. fantastic

Raw energy, simple short tunes and Feargal's unmistakable voice I loved them when I was a kid and still do now. This has quite a few solid hits and one of the greatest songs of all time (Teenage Kicks). Although I prefer the later albums this is where it began and even the cover is a bold statement. Simply one of the best.

Yes one of the crown jewels of punk pop. Very little to add to this which is an album I originally got on a cheap portugese grey import market vinyl and has been a joy ever since. While Teenage Kicks might not be the best song ever (in that vein I would go for Another Girl, Another Planet by The Only Ones) it is definitely top ten.

9/10 simple, but that’s the way fun, punky brit-pop goes

Finally a song for me, Jimmy Jimmy. Really enjoyed this album

I’ve never heard of them before, but this was such a fun album!

16 songs in 34 minutes? Love it. Peel was right about Teenage kicks, remains one of the most perfect songs of all time.

J'ai le CD, j'ai souvent écouté Teenage Kicks, mais je n'avais jamais été beaucoup plus loin et c'est pourtant un album très cool. Quelque part entre la pop et le punk, assez The Strokes alors qu'ils étaient à peine nés. 16 titres pour 35 minutes pied au plancher. Des riffs de guitares qui s'entrecroise, une voix assez unique et écorchée. Validé !

Classic punk rock with a lot of energy. Liked it quite a lot.

What a brilliant album, thoroughly enjoyed listening to it

This was really fun. It reminded me of 90s pop punk.

An important album in both punk history and Irish music history. Teenage kicks is one of the most flawless pop punk songs ever written and the rest of the album is just as strong!

Fun pop-punk from back in the day. This is how it's done, Green Day!

slay

Classic punk rock record. The difference between this album and The Buzzcocks is that The Undertones seem to be having fun and have zero pretension in their view of the world. Not sure there's a single bad track on this record.

Does it deserve the 5 stars I’m going to give it? Maybe not quite. It’s a solid 4.5 but I’m a sucker for punk and pop-punk so it gets bumped up.

A straight forward 70s punk album. Enjoyable. Five stars because it was refreshing after the last album i listened to.

Fun music and lyrics!

Punky with a definite rock and roll influence, I only knew a couple of tracks but had to give this a second listen.

Was really good as well, kinda reminds me of those old high school movies 5/5

Teenage Kicks! What a damn classic. Love this whole record. The blueprint for teenage angst punk rock.

Never heard of this band before today and I regret it. This is a really fun album and I will be adding this to the list of albums I will listen to. What I love about this project is finding new bands such as this.

Tracklist: "Family Entertainment" "Girls Don't Like It" "Male Model" "I Gotta Getta" "Teenage Kicks" "Wrong Way" "Jump Boys" "Here Comes the Summer" "Get Over You" "Billy's Third" "Jimmy Jimmy" "True Confessions" Musical Style and Production: "The Undertones" is known for its raw, unpolished, and stripped-down punk sound. The album was produced by Roger Bechirian, who did an excellent job of capturing the band's frenetic energy. The music is characterized by fast tempos, simple but infectious guitar riffs, and John O'Neill's distinctive, melodic guitar work. The simplicity of the instrumentation is a testament to the band's DIY ethos and their ability to make something great with limited resources. Lyrics and Themes: The Undertones' lyrics often revolve around the themes of adolescent angst, the frustrations of youth, and the awkwardness of teenage romance. "Teenage Kicks," one of the album's standout tracks, is a perfect example of this, with its infectious refrain, "Teenage dreams, so hard to beat." Other tracks like "Get Over You" and "Male Model" reflect the band's humorous and sometimes sardonic take on these themes. Standout Tracks: "Teenage Kicks": A timeless punk anthem, the song's simple but unforgettable melody and relatable lyrics have made it an enduring classic. "Get Over You": This track is another highlight, featuring a catchy chorus and an infectious, punky energy. "Jimmy Jimmy": Known for its upbeat tempo and clever lyrics, it's another fan favorite. "Here Comes the Summer": A contrast to the typical punk sound, this song exudes a carefree, summery vibe. Impact and Legacy: "The Undertones" had a significant influence on the punk and new wave movements. "Teenage Kicks" is often regarded as one of the greatest punk rock singles ever recorded. The Undertones' knack for writing infectious pop-punk melodies with punk sensibilities helped shape the genre's evolution. The album is a blueprint for countless bands that followed. Overall Evaluation: "The Undertones" is a classic punk album that has stood the test of time. It's a concise and energetic collection of songs that perfectly captures the spirit of youth and rebellion. While it may not be the most groundbreaking or experimental punk album, its simple and effective approach to songwriting and performance is its strength. The Undertones' debut remains a must-listen for anyone interested in the punk and new wave genres, offering an engaging snapshot of the late 1970s music scene. In summary, "The Undertones" is a landmark album that showcases the band's ability to craft memorable pop-punk tunes with an irreverent edge. It's an essential addition to any punk or new wave music collection and a testament to the enduring power of youthful energy and rebellion in music.

Four stars for Teenage Kicks alone. Plus one for Jimmy Jimmy. The rest is a bonus. But WHAT a bonus. You can see where Supergrass lifted their best ideas from.

This band (and Buzzcocks) convinced me to persevere with punk. I realised it could be fun and playful and smart, and didn't always have to be so serious. There is a bit of filler here (Billy's Third, for example) and I have heard Teenage Kicks too many times to even know if I actually like it any more, but any album that has Here Comes The Summer, Get Over You and Jimmy Jimmy on it has to get 5 stars. Energetic. Smart lyrics. So much fun.

Meh.

Early punk. The instrumentals reminded me a lot of the Strokes. The vocals not so much.

Thought this was great and enjoyed all the songs

Damn, just a few albums after Dookie where I had to point out that pop punk isn't really my thing, I get this one (never heard it before). This is the pop punk album to beat forever after, I think. 16 songs in 35 minutes so nothing overstays it's welcome. Perfectly fun and danceable. Doesn't take itself seriously and only the necessary amount of angst. Literally no complaints, this album is fun as hell.

Who can argue with this energy? I've been hearing a lot from about about Feargal Sharkey over the last year. Now I get it.

It’s got Teenage Kicks - 5 stars.

Simply superb. Derry's finest

Solid album start to finish. Great songs, well produced.

Teenage dreams, so hard to beat.

Fun! Such authentic energy for a 70’s punk band

“Razor sharp post punk anthems” Makes me feel like I’m 13 discovering punk rock for the first time.

Que bonitola sorpresa está bands

That is some genuine and authentic Punk. Quite enjoyed replastering a ceiling to that today.

This was so good, I love this sound (surf-punk). It’s like Dead Kennedys were in a good mood. I had not heard these guys before and was slightly expecting a ska band with their name

cool

So important, but also so good. Not the first punk album, nor the best, but a keystone in the story of guitar music, in the UK in particular.

Raw pop to my veins.

Clásico instantáneo Lleno de estupendas canciones más allá de las clásicas, Jump boys es un buen ejemplo. Get over you (el segundo single del disco), True confessions o Listening in, también. Teenage kicks, Jimmy Jimmy y Here comes the summer son las más conocidas y brillantes pero el resto conforman un debut histórico. Male model presenta unos coros que resuenan a lo mismo que los Ramones: el pop de los 60. Los mismo sucede con I gotta getta con ese órgano surfero. También es evidente la influencia de The Buzzcocks (otro grupo fundamental). Wrong way podría ser un temazo de los B-52´s. Canciones de apenas dos minutos, ritmos y construcciones sencillas pero con un gran sentido melódico. Todas son tarareables y disfrutables. Pero todo se minimiza cuando llega una de las mejores canciones de la historia: Teenage kicks. No está en absoluto nada mal para una banda que empezó alrededor de 1975, pero tardó tres años en grabar porque tenían que aprender a escribir y a tocar la guitarra... Otros discos de 1979, el año del \"Disco sucks\" y también de maravillas como: JOY DIVISION - Unknown Pleasures, THE CLASH - London calling, VAN MORRISON - Into the music, NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE - Rust never sleeps y Live Rust, AC/DC - Highway to hell, PAUL COLLINS BEAT - The Beat, THE CURE - Three imaginary boys, THE POLICE - Regatta de blanc y zenyattà Mondatta, THE B-52'S - The B-52's, GRAHAM PARKER - Squeezing out sparks, THE KNACK - Get the knack, The wall de Pink Floyd, Armed Forces de Elvis Costello & The Attractions, We Are Family de Sister Sledge, Look Sharp! de Joe Jackson, Spirits Having Flown de Bee Gees, Breakfast in America de Supertramp, Y de The Pop Group, Voulez-Vous de ABBA , Bad Girls de Donna Summer, Lodger de David Bowie, Discovery Electric Light Orchestra, Exposed y Platinum de Mike Oldfield, Fear of Music Talking Heads, Off the Wall de Michael Jackson, Quadrophenia deThe Who, Reggatta de Blanc de The Police, Prince de Prince, Damn the Torpedoes de Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers , One Step Beyond... de Madness, The Specials de The Specials, Journey Through \"The Secret Life of Plants\" de Stevie Wonder, Metal Box de Public Image Ltd., Risque de Chic, Real to Real Cacophony y Life in a day de Simple Minds

This album rules. I was surprised to see that we already listened to a later Undertones album earlier, and have no recollection of it. Apparently I thought it was decent but nothing special. This one rules though. 4.5/5

This album is dope! I've heard Family Entertainment on random play a bunch, but this is the first time hearing a full Undertones album and it was great pretty much the whole way through. 4.5/5

Fui pego de surpresa aqui. Achei que seria mais uma banda punk britânica, do início do gênero - que por mais que goste e valorize, hoje só consigo ouvir as músicas que realmente se destacam - mas não. Aqui trata-se do começo do pop-punk. É um álbum rápido (26 músicas em 56min, e apenas 1 com mais de 3min), como um álbum de punk tradicional, mas com mais elaboração melódica, variação e movimento. A elaboração não se estende para a parte lírica com letras menos políticas e mais "bobinhas", o que não acho isso um demérito por si. É um "Beach Boys punk" ou um "The Clash pop" e é muito bom de ouvir.

So freaking fun and some full on certified Slappers