Cut

I read several positive reviews for this album because I was trying to understand it. Nearly all of them mentioned its influence and apologized for the sub-par musicianship. I'm sure they inspired a lot of people, but if the music isn't good, I'm not sure I need to hear it before I die. I can't imagine getting hit by a bus and my last thought being, "But I never got to that album from The Slits!" Best track: Adventures Close To Home

I found that I was relieved when my phone unexpectedly lost connection and the music was paused, I preferred the sweet sweet silence to this.

I'd like to believe they went with "The Slits" as their band's name because "Gash Wound" would have been too on the nose. For review purposes, one has to include the incredible cover of "I Heard It Through The Grapevine", which is officially listed as a Bonus Track and was the B-Side to "Typical Girls" (Both songs are classic 5's). It puts the album over the top for me. Make that your Side 1, Track 1 and you've got a classic album. One could add one point for the audacious album cover photo, only to learn the girl on the far left was all of 17-years old in said photo so let's call that a wash. What else? Their original drummer's name was Palmolive, who felt that posing topless for the album's cover was a bridge too far and got thrown out of the band. Apparently none other than the great Nenah Cherry provides backup vocals on this album. According to my math, Nenah would have been 15 or 16 years young at the time, which is just insane. This album is a blast.

Oh good, more late 70s English punk. Again. After all the rest of it. But it's ok, I'm sure THIS one will be a masterpiece and not amateur garbage like everything else from that time. And they're called the SLITS! I'm sure that's not a reference to anything. About as subtle and sophisticated as everything else about this genre I guess. But I'm prepared to be blown away. ha ha no, it fucking sucked. 1/5.

Now, here is a real classic. I love this record a lot, and their cover of "I heard it through the grapevine" is a regular feature of my DJ sets. This record genuinely sounds like nothing else. heavily influences by punk (although really presages post-punk) and reggae, it isn't really either of those things. It is its own unique and wonderful thing, with its own logic. It's angry and weird and fun. In Viv Albertine's fantastic autobiography "Clothes Clothes Clothes, Music Music Music, Boys Boys Boys" (highly recommend, worth a read) she describes the way she approached guitar, which was largely self-taught and completely fresh. She talks about how she was attracted to the treble tones of the guitar, and you can really hear it in the way that she plays. There is a an unapologetic "this is the way we choose to play" sense of what they do. Although I think there was some backlash for doing so. And this record is a wonderful and unique thing. the songs are.... different, but they always sound fresh and surprisingly and strong and relevant and beautiful within their own aesthetic framework. Punk always claimed that it was people who "couldn't play", but many bands (Pistols, Clash, etc) were in fact working within a pretty well-trodden back-to-basic rock and roll style and technique. The Slits were really something new and revolutionary. It doesn't surprise me that it took women to really break out and do something this different and extraordinary. Five stars.

Not my favorite. I know that The Slits were a ground-breaking, genre-defying band and, for that alone, they deserve a place on this list. That said, this album is a total mess. There's really one good track here ("Typical Girls") and the rest is kinda noise for the sake of noise. It's okay. But it's not good punk. It's just punk.

How have I never heard this??

What a fun pop punk album full of reggae & ska flavours! Loved it!

I can't help but think of Ludwig Wittgenstain's quote that "the limits of my language means the limits of my world", when I hear an album like this. It's an amazing thing, when something entirely new enters into the world, because before it there were just some unstructured inklings waiting to be connected. Then after it, there is a blueprint and a new path for anyone that wants to follow and build on it. This album is elegantly simple and spectacularly raw. The fusion of reggae/dub and punk, with an Avant Garde and art-house affect is sublime. I'd point to 'Newtown', with its punchy guitars, high-hat and tom laden drums, matchbox and dropped silverware utility percussion, and the moaning and vibrato vocals, as a perfect example of what I'm talking about. While it is uncomfortable for me to point out the importance of this also being an all-female band, because I wish we lived in a world where that wasn't something extraordinary at all, I am glad that these women were who they were, had the environments they had, and gave this music to the world. In turn, they gave the language for many in the world to move past the limits they didn't fully comprehend a way past yet.

I know this album. Love this album. Get bothered by this album. Love this album again - and this time I realised why. It's lyrically seminal - avante garde even for 2022 - it's unique, it's powerful - rhythmically sophisticated and musically interesting. Every song has it's place in the album - but this is not an album that you listen to in the background while doing something else, this is one of those that demand your full attention. I listened to it three times in a row this time round - first while doing something else - and that kept me wondering why the hell I used to like this album - then I wore headphones, and gave it it's due attention, and there I was rewarded and realised what's so great about it. Loved it.

Firstly, I wouldn't call this punk, it's a reggae album to my ears. Secondly, this is a masterpiece in uncanny irrelevance. It's just so FUN to listen to. I love the layered vocals They can't really sing, at least not in the traditional sense. But it doesn't matter. They make it work. And I love the way the bass, guitar and percussion make such a tight groove. The music is quite exotic sounding. A wonderful discovery!

Short, sweet and perfect British punk.

I love this album. It's so interesting and the vocals are great and the structure is fresh. Love it.

I wouldn't recommend this to someone if I knew they would die at some point in the future

Well that was painful. I assume they are included in the 1001 albums as some sort of politically correct quota - "we have to have a really bad all girl punk band". I can think of no other reason for the inclusion of this drivel

“Cut” by The Slits has made a new category in my memory’s bombed-out music library, albums for which my primary pleasure is thinking about them rather than listening to them, though pleasures are found there too. Retrospectively I’m slotting last week’s “From Elvis in Memphis” into this category. Listening to this, the thought that “Cut” is a multimedia experience condensed onto disc emerged and stuck. There’s so much going on here - dub, punk, scathing irony and Dadaist manifesto disguised as nursery rhyme - that it extends beyond the sound, exists as a conceptual work as well as a record, a gallery of ideas I am strolling through now while I wonder what to write next. How about Ari Up’s sublimation of her paternal schlager roots? Her accent immediately did something funny to my brain; I’ve spent enough nights listening to freak music with nerds in Berlin to recognise that deep tendency to both mock and embrace the hard sentimental romanticism of schlager, the commitment to an awkward tune carried by pure feeling, language irrespective. Nico had it, so did Ariane Forster. Are The Slits the only band to apply the Beefheartian approach of throwing different songs into one to dub? The piano spree on “Love Und Romance” is maniacal. The guitar work is spidery and has that wobbly, UFO-like motion of weirdo surf rock. I need to hear more by Dennis Bovell; the effects and echo he puts around the band accentuates rather than overwhelms; he gets what they’re doing and enhances it. Riot grrl didn’t take enough from this record; those bands honoured the sound as a duty rather than a signal to absorb whatever excited them the most. This is serious and fun - I’d never listened to this assuming it wouldn’t carry catchy timbres or tunes, but both are abundant; this is a surprisingly polished work.

Love this album. It does take a bit of a dive in the last little bit though. Overall, I can listen to 80% of this album on repeat. 4.5/5

I *love* Viv Albertine, her books and "The Vermillion Border" so I'm naturally a huge fan of this. A totally different approach to punk; fresh DIY-dub without any Chuck Berry. Some great pop tunes on here ("Newtown". "Typical Girls", "..Grapevine.."), all quite unique sounds. Good to see this on here

The Slits is a name I've known forever, but never listened to until today. But I listened to this album twice, it was really good. They are super effective at blending Jamaican/reggae influences into their style, better than I think I've heard most other punk bands pull off. New household favorite, for sure.

I’m really running out of things to say, aren’t I? But this is pretty good stuff, I can see why it resonates. B

Everyone is raving about how The Clash brought reggae to punk but I think the Slits did it better. Somehow they managed to be more serious about their dub influences without losing any of their punk ethos.

HL: "So Tough", "Newtown", "Typical Girls" The manic piano running thru several tracks, the uneasy rhythm in "Typical Girls", the embracing of reggae/ska (that would be more prevalent and lazier sounding in 90's pop)- weird lil record that definitely deserves a spot on this list. January 31, 2023

This reminded me of playing music as a teenager, just learning to sing. The fact that they put this out is crazy impressive!

I started playing this record again about five years ago after reading Viv's terrific first memoir. It's is the result of sheer talent, idiosyncratic band members and some great punk DIY energy. I love Ari's singing, she in effect invented a whole singing style and I think old mate Bjork spent a lot of time listening to this record. Viv's guitar playing is brilliant and ditto Budgie jumping in after Palmolive split. Another interesting aspect to this record is the vocals. I'm not sure how much is Tessa and Viv, or if it is all Neneh Cherry. They are not backing vocals but a whole other vocal line that pushes up against Ari's lines, being both discordant and complementary. This record gets played in our house.

I thought L7 was the original merry prankster all girl band but credit to the Slits! Loved "shoplifting". They sound like a less manufactured version of the Clash.

After my first listen I wasn't sure what I liked about this one, but there was something. On second listen I realized it sounds like the kids from the movie Oliver! (1968) got together to put out a reggae album. Great vocals.

No. 83/1001 Instant Hit 3/5 So Though 3/5 Spend, Spend, Spend 2/5 Shoplifting 2/5 FM 2/5 Newtown 2/5 Ping Pong Affair 2/5 Love Und Romance 2/5 Typical Girls 3/5 Adventures Close To Home 2/5 Average: 2,3 Didn't like their style at all.

Hier, nous avons été victimes d'un énorme soucis technique au bureau, qui m'a empêché de pouvoir écouter mes albums générés comme à mon habitude. En effet, un electricien devait venir s'assurer que le système d'alimentation de l'étage était en bon état, et effectuer quelques réglages si necessaires. Seulement, après quelques minutes passées à examiner les differents circuits électriques, la lumière de l'étage commença à crépiter, pour ensuite clignoter. Après quelques minutes, nous étions plongés dans la pénombre. Pas d'inquiètude cependant, puisqu'un professionnel était déjà sur place, il devait sûrement tester la robustesse du système. Après plusieurs dizaines de minutes sans lumière, je me rendis à la cuisine pour chercher un verre d'eau. Quelle ne fut pas ma surprise: la cuisine était absolument inondée. Soudain, je fut pris d'un flash mental très puissant. Je me rendis au bureau de mon directeur, et lui demandais des informations sur la société de maintenance des locaux de notre étage. Un brin surpris, il me dit que la société en question était intitulée "Die Türe AG". Commençant à comprendre, je me rendis dans la salle électrique, et y découvrit une carte de visite laissée par l'electricien: Joachim Mörrisone, Elektriker. Je partis alors dans un franc rire, m'exclaffant: "Ahahahah, sacré Jim".

Was hat dieser Schrott auf der 1001 Albenliste verloren?

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH

Right up there with Gang of Four and PIL Flowers of Romance. The instrumentation is complex and aggressive I just am not as Enthralled with the vocals even though the lyrics are great.

Man, that was fun! That raw, distinctive sound morphed into something completely different on many occasions - I got a whiff of early B52s, early Elvis Costello and some ska, it's full of surprises, a great album. The Slits were were fearless and one of the first, if not the first all girl punk band. And Neneh Cherry is a back up vocalist on this record! I'll definitely be listening again.

I really needed this one to cleanse my palate. The combination of wood blocks, cymbals, and her whimsically frenetic voice was incredibly refreshing. It's playful, it's powerful, and, hands down, the best version of "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" I've ever heard

This is the kind of thing I want to see here. Super unique and inventive, but also has a unique place in music history. I love how forward thinking the feminism of this album is. The mix of reggae and punk is also super cool.

I fucking love this. So odd, out of place, yet completely enthralling and even catchy at points. The singer has a unique voice, kind of like Björk's voice. I think the drumming is the biggest highlight for me, so fun

They are just typical girls

I loved this. Radical women being radical. More please.

So cool

This has to be the best music ever made by a white person who grew dreads. (are there even any other contenders...?) Clear vision, inventive, invigorating. What more can you ask for? They sound a fair bit like the Raincoats tilted more aggressive, upbeat & silly, and I think I will mostly continue to go listen to the Raincoats instead. but like the Raincoats this is as cool as it gets. There's plenty of art of all kinds that takes itself too seriously, plenty that's irreverent & not much else. Every once in a while there's something that takes both itself and its audience the exact right amount of seriously to be fun, a little challenging, moving. music: rules. (⌐■_■)

I like it. Kinda bouncy sometimes. Kind crazy other times. Good listen. Looked for more and was disappointed by how little I found.

I loved this from the opening track, “Instant Hit.” It was so not what I was expecting, but so fun, distinctive, bizarre, and imaginative. Their sound is a unique amalgamation of Talking Heads, The Cranberries, The Sugarcubes, and The Police. Or like The Shaggs if they were actually good. I feel like half the people in the reviews didn’t actually listen to this album. They talk like all punk music sounds the same. That’s bullshit. Punk has got to be one of the most varied subgenres of rock. I guess I can see not liking this, but it’s unfair to say they “lacked musicianship” or were just making noise—that is clearly not true. But as T-Swift once said, the haters gonna hate. I loved this album, and their cover of “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” is better than the CCR version (and I love CCR).

pre listening notes: just listened to the new cmbc on Carrie Brownstein/Sleater Kinney and i’m excited to listen to a female punk rock band! even if it’s like 20 years before Sleater Kinney. also i always joke to my sisters that if they see i’m listening to british punk it means i’m not doing well. Let’s gooooo. Instant Hit - woah this is.. reggae? what are they doing here. i haven’t heard anything like this before So Tough - i wonder if this song is about the same guy from before? interesting to me that they’re singing about men. very experimental sounding, the lead singers voice sounds very raw, almost like she didn’t warm up Spend, Spend, Spend - good to know that in the late seventies, consumerism was still destroying our lives as much as now Shoplifting - a great song to follow up spend lol. this is so fun actually. this is my fav one so far, the energy is palpable FM - who is going to tell the slits that fm doesn’t stand for frequent mutilation.. i honestly think this song relates to the present day in a way that is kind of insane? this song is over 40 years old but i still can’t help but wonder what is feeding my screen & waiting for todays transmission to give me the solution. i sound like a stoner. Newtown - back to reggae! i don’t care for the lyrics so much but i LOVE the way this song sounds, particularly in the second half. we need another fix! catchy. would listen again! Ping Pong Affair - i feel like this song in particular has had an influence on the girl punk scene (which like, i get referring to it with “girl” in the front is reductive but hear me out). i also like the message of this song tbh, fuck a man and his comics. this song follows a girl post breakup and i have personally related to so much of it Love Und Romance - they talk about Babylon a lot. what was going on back then. it’s also funny to have a song like this following a breakup tune. it kind of reads like a joke in the context of the rest of the album. again, Up’s vocals are so wild. Typical Girls - the message of this one is revolutionary for the time! i can see the influence on lager music here as well. i love the question “who invented typical girl?” and calling the idea of being a typical girl a marketing scheme because it is! god, sometimes i need to listen to stuff like this to realize that the capitalist critique i feel daily is not new. it’s a system that feels unnatural to live in. there’s a binchtopia ep where they talk about how the “teenage girl” was literally created to be marketed to. so much of what society considers a woman to be is a consumer. anyway, the song itself is also a bop. second fav on the album after Newtown (did i mention i like newtown more than shoplifting?) might be tied!! Adventures Close To Home - sometimes girls should be allowed to be crazy and selfish. idk! I Heard It Through The Grapevine - this song seems to be from the perspective of a man whose girlfriend is planning on leaving him for another man. and it’s a fucking BOP, feels of it’s time. this is their most streamed song on spotify and i understand, it is definitely the most easily digestible, i’m very used to hearing men moan about women. and as i said before it’s a bop. def a fav! Liebe and Romanze (Slow Version) - musical noise. i wonder what the not slow version sounds like. i will use this time to review the album overall! I feel like i wrote a lot more for this one than others but it just came to me at a good time and is a breath of fresh air after Kings of Leon.. sorry not sorry. this album was unique and inventive and not always my personal taste but had some certifiable bangers and it’s influence on other bands i like and respect is palpable. especially knowing the background of the band and that the people in it (thinking about Up in particular) we’re young and inexperienced musicians who just got out there and did the thing. like Abbey Road, I’m glad to have listened to it!! feels like music history. 5/5

Man so much fun I love early punk stuff. I also (due to alphabetical seating) sat behind someone with a The Slits patch on her jacket for every exam I did in high school and it's very satisfying to finally give a proper listen and enjoy it. Finding out they didn't really know how to play the instruments makes sense lol but they made so much with so little at their disposal and I think that's the absolute pinnacle of what music can, and is supposed to be. I may not come back to this album too much but it easily gets 5 stars for being a representation of why I love music so much.

This is so good I can't believe this was recording in 1979 especially when thinking of how different this is to the 1980 Steve Winwood album. I certainly have come across these gals before and I'm a fan. So hard to pick a fave from this album but maye Instant Hit, So Tough, Fm, Newtown, Ping Pong Affair.

Punk was meant to be the nail in the coffin of what came before. When it proved itself to be bastardized into becoming more of the same, a newer more radical world opened up. Which was where The Slits operated. Presenting themselves as unabashedly experimental, free-form, chaotic and innovative as their largely male brethren, The Slits provided a cut (hehe) of what they were capable of. The carefree environment is wonderfully represented throughout and it doesn't feel neither pastiche or forced. It honestly comes as no surprise that Cut made it's influence apparent in the years and decades after its release, most notably far away in the Pacific Northwest. And for good reason, for this is the sound of those who come to the power of their potential and decide to wield it for maximum good.

It’s a banger, boys. Like Gwen Stefani singing David Byrne lyrics over a Frank Zappa punk record.

Quirky and silly, it's a fun listen all throughout. A fusion of the absurdity of post-punk with dub and tribal instruments to give it a mystical sound. As a fan of reggae and New Wave, this was an instant like for me. Very accessible but also artsy, it's an inviting listen for anyone to very quickly enjoy this on the first listen. The female vocalists are so fun, making all sorts of noises that work in the context of the album. They compliment each other well, whether as harmonious back vocals or to conflict and cause chaos. I enjoy how everyone plays. Whether that's the New Wave guitar, the sporadic drumming, or the groovy bassline. All 10 tracks are unique and memorable. It's only a half hour long, so with all the crazy ideas, it really flies by. The bonus tracks are great too! "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" is a strong and creative cover. As a lover of reggae, "Liebe and Romanze" was nice to listen to. And the Brink style dub version of "Typical Girls" was also fun, but could be a bit difficult for some.

Loved the hits for decades but never listened to the full record. Randomly got to see Ari Up perform at a party in Brooklyn, back in the 00s. She was tall and elegant, with no makeup and dreds to the floor. Cooler than cool could ever hope to be. This record is better than expected. Apparently, Bjork’s been channeling Ari Up, all along. The influence of The Slits is far broader than I’d realized. There’s something about Heard It Through the Grapevine that makes it one of the best covers of all time. And the original is immaculate. This version surpasses the typical karaoke style to make it feel fresh and reverential. Another one of those albums that improves with age. Hard to remember this was just a few teenage girls in 1979. Very clever work.

10/10 holy shit, I already have a HUGE bias for post-punk, it’s one of my favorite genres, but this album really surpassed my expectations it’s really insane just how creative and diverse this project is I love it so much

I pissed in my knickers.

You hate to see a banger album with such a low rating on here, I get it though, the weird post-punk stuff isn't for everyone. I love it though. The way the songs just flow from part to part, the wild vocals all over the place, sick basslines, it's so much fun to listen to. 'Shoplifting' and 'Typical Girls' are just straight up bangers, along with the amazing 'Heard it Through the Grapevine' cover. I hope nobody turned off the album before that one comes on at the end.

An amazing find. Awesome debut. Seems this album is very polarizing. I can see why it’s influential, and while most people seem to dislike this album, I love it. Greta example of early punks.

Was not expecting to fuck with this so hard. Björk but punk pop and… reggae??

Unique and interesting sound! I've long been curious about this band. Really enjoyed their take on I Heard It Through the Grapevine (bonus track).

That cover and the description of this album had me feeling like this might not be for me. WRONG! Definitely for me. Perfectly unique! Terrific!

Amazing

good weird. instant hit fm newtown ping pong affair love und romance typical girls adventures close to home

I’d heard of The Slits, thought they would be a challenge, wasn’t expecting this at all. It’s loads of fun, incredibly catchy post-punk/ska.

I really enjoyed this entire album and although I had heard of the Slits, I had never heard any of their music. This is the kind of stuff I was hoping to hear when I started doing this.

Really Good, from start to finish. Instant hit is an instant hit!

Was so happy to see this come up, this is an album I have loved for years. Seen the slits condescended with such accusations as not being proper musicians but this is a truly groundbreaking album, and sounds better than anything the sex pistols put out

Hoe krijgt dit album gemiddeld een 2,7?!

Wonderful oddball punk. Short and snappy. Some great songs, best being Typical Girls. And some magnificent shouting. Wonder if they'd be thought of on a par with the Clash and Sex Pistols if they were men?

When I think of post-punk I think of this. Such a unique sound. Like The Shaggs raised on punk and reggae.

Fantastic listen for the whole album. A ska soaked masterpiece. I had no idea that The Slits had influenced so many outfits that followed. Grrrl power in proto form. I'll be suggesting this record to some folks.

I absolutely loved every single moment of this, I can't believe I'd never listened to the Slits before because they're definitely a new favourite! I love how rough around the edges everything is and how genuine each moment seems. Top tracks: So Tough, Shoplifting, Ping Pong Affair, and Typical Girls

Legendary band and album but is it any good? Well it's FUN but not Punk but more New Wave Reggae/Ska which is really sketchy but enjoyable. Musically tight with interesting lyrics. It's amazing that records like this got made and infuenced others. It deserves a place on the 1001.

This was awesome. Raw, frantic energy that kept me drawn in the entire way thru. This is the first album out of 60 where I was completely unaware of the artist and scored a 5. It made me think of Entertainment by Gang of Four so I was curious and looked up the release dates, Wild to see Cut came out Sept. 7 1979 only a few weeks before Entertainment Sept. 25 1979. This had an almost primal feeling to it, I peeked up from the first song and was in for the ride all the way thru. Albums like these re-energize me for this 1001 journey. 5 stars

Brazen and brace. I am a massive Clash and Sex Pistols fan but wish the legacy of the Slits was as revered. Punky, reggae ska and pop thrown in a blender. From what I've read they copped a lot of abused and threats which to me makes the righteously dangerous

Known about this album for years, never listened. Love the “dubbiness“ of these songs.

absolutely loved this album. Had never even heard of this band before but you can here the influence on Blondie it had

Reminded me of Dresden Dolls, energetic “post punk”. Apparently Kurt Cobaon really like track “Typical Girls”.

eu gostei muito e não conhecia <3

fierce, female, fabulous, five stars

I have never been aware of the band THE SLITS before, although I am a fan of the Punk and Post-Punk era of music. I believe part of the reason is that the band is known for me is that they are from the UK and are probably unknown in the US. Also, being an all-girl group also probably contributed to the lack of awareness with the male punk groups grabbing the headlines and making the reviews. After listening to CUT, I must say it is excellent. The use of dub music reminds me of Public Image Limited which formed later and being an all-girl group really impresses me now. They should be as well known as the boys were. Their music is fun, catchy and probably groundbreaking with the use of dub. This is one is the reason why I am going to enjoy joining the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die is to listen to music that I am barely aware of and give me a deeper appreciation. THE SLITS are no longer falling through the cracks in my book. In 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, this was the only album issued in the book. Rate Artist: THE SLITS (5) Rate Album (Year): CUT (1979 Original) (4.5) Rate Album (Year): CUT (2000 UK CD Reissue with Bonus tracks) (4.5) Rate Album (Year): CUT (2009 UK 2CD Deluxe Edition) (5)

## In-Depth Review of *Cut* by The Slits The Slits' debut album, *Cut*, released on September 7, 1979, is a seminal work in the punk and post-punk landscape. Its unique blend of punk energy and reggae rhythms, combined with provocative lyrics and a raw production style, has left an indelible mark on music history. This review delves into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, while also examining its pros and cons. ****Lyrics**** The lyrics of *Cut* are a striking mix of political commentary, personal reflection, and biting social critique. The opening track, "Instant Hit," addresses heroin addiction through the lens of its impact on loved ones rather than the addict themselves. This perspective offers a fresh take on a common subject in punk music, contrasting with the often self-indulgent narratives typical of the genre. "Typical Girls" stands out as a feminist anthem that challenges societal expectations of femininity. Lines such as *“Typical girls stand by their man”* highlight the restrictive gender roles imposed on women. The song's catchy chorus juxtaposes its serious message with an infectious melody, making it both a rallying cry and a pop hit. Other tracks like "Shoplifting" and "Newtown" explore themes of rebellion and urban life. The former captures the anarchic spirit of punk with its fast tempo and raw energy, while the latter incorporates sound effects like shaking matchboxes to evoke drug culture in a gritty yet playful manner. Overall, the lyrics are characterized by their irreverence and wit, addressing issues such as commercialism, gender roles, and addiction with an unapologetic tone that resonates even today. ****Music**** Musically, *Cut* is an innovative fusion of punk rock and reggae influences. The Slits' sound is defined by Viv Albertine's unconventional guitar work, which often serves more as a percussive instrument than a melodic one. Tracks like "Instant Hit" feature rhythmic guitar strumming that complements Tessa Pollitt's prominent bass lines and Budgie's dynamic drumming. The production by Dennis Bovell plays a crucial role in shaping the album's sound. Bovell's background in reggae allows him to blend genres seamlessly while maintaining a raw edge. The album features heavy bass tones and intricate layers of sound that invite repeated listens to uncover hidden details. The incorporation of dub techniques adds depth to tracks like "Spend, Spend, Spend," where echo effects and reverb create an immersive listening experience. This experimentation with sound marked *Cut* as one of the first punk albums to embrace reggae fully, paving the way for future post-punk acts. ****Production**** Recorded at Ridge Farm Studios in West Sussex, *Cut* was produced under conditions that allowed for creative freedom. The Slits were given control over their music and artwork—a rarity for female artists at the time. Bovell's approach was collaborative; he guided the band without stifling their creativity. This balance resulted in an album that feels both polished and raw. Despite their self-proclaimed lack of technical skill as musicians, the band’s energy and authenticity shine through. The production captures their youthful exuberance while also showcasing their willingness to experiment with unconventional sounds and structures. ****Themes**** Thematically, *Cut* is rich with commentary on gender politics, societal norms, and personal identity. The Slits challenge traditional notions of femininity through songs like "Typical Girls," which critiques how women are often expected to conform to societal standards. Tracks such as "Shoplifting" reflect a broader sense of rebellion against consumer culture. The album’s exploration of urban life—highlighted in songs like "Newtown"—captures the gritty reality of late-1970s London while also incorporating humor and irony. The fearless approach to taboo subjects such as addiction and sexuality makes *Cut* not just an album but a cultural statement that resonates across generations. ****Influence**** *Cut* has had a profound impact on subsequent generations of musicians. Its unique sound has inspired countless artists across various genres, from punk to indie rock. Bands like Nirvana have cited The Slits as influential figures in their development as musicians. The album is frequently mentioned in discussions about feminist contributions to music; it paved the way for female artists seeking to express themselves authentically within male-dominated genres. Its legacy can be seen in the works of later bands such as Sleater-Kinney and Bikini Kill. Critics have consistently recognized *Cut* as one of the greatest albums ever made. It has appeared on numerous lists celebrating influential records and continues to be studied for its innovative approach to music-making. ## Pros and Cons ### Pros - **Innovative Sound**: The fusion of punk rock with reggae elements creates a unique listening experience. - **Provocative Lyrics**: Addresses important social issues with wit and irreverence. - **Cultural Impact**: Pioneered female representation in punk music and influenced numerous artists. - **Creative Freedom**: The band's control over production allowed for authentic expression. - **Timeless Themes**: Issues addressed remain relevant today. ### Cons - **Technical Limitations**: Some listeners may find the musicianship lacking compared to more technically proficient bands. - **Production Quality**: While rawness contributes to its charm, some may view it as unpolished or uneven. - **Niche Appeal**: Its unique sound may not resonate with all audiences accustomed to mainstream music styles. In conclusion, *Cut* by The Slits is not only a landmark album within punk history but also a bold statement on gender politics and societal norms. Its innovative soundscapes paired with incisive lyrics ensure that it remains relevant decades after its release. While it may not appeal universally due to its rawness or technical limitations, its cultural significance cannot be overstated—it stands as a testament to the power of artistic expression in challenging societal expectations.

I can see why some people don't like this music. As with lots of albums here, there is a context. The Slits were breaking new ground. This isn't what female bands had done before, and it happened in a time in UK (at least) where such rebellion was seen as a male domain. Many popular female uk bands either directly or indirectly attribute their success to ground laid by the Slits. Is it 'good' music? No. Is it meant to be? No. It was meant to challenge the system, and open new doors...and it succeeded at that. A good album? No. An important and influential one? Yes!

Nothing mind blowing but an easy listen to glide through. Angsty chick punk pup essentially.

Very surprised by this album. In a vast contrast to the Peter Tosh album, this album sounds nothing like I would’ve expected. It was kinda ska and also punk. It had a lot of forgettable skips, but the 3-4 songs that stood out were great. Really enjoyed the vocals on their songs and my favorite thing was how random and silly the instrumentation is. There’s slide whistles mixed ska guitars, wild stuff. Big fan, definitely gunna check out their other albums.

Absolutely obsessed with this album cover, to begin with. I had no idea the Slits had anything to do with reggae, so the opener came as a big surprise- it's all pretty lofi as well as reggae-ish. I like that the singing is faintly accented, which makes sense after reading about Ari Up. A German obsessed with the Caribbean- no surprise the music is a bit odd. The whole experience of this record washed over me a bit on first listen, but going back and listening to it a second time I really enjoyed the kind of offbeat experience of it. Lyrically it's all quite fun, and there's something to like on almost every track: I like the chattering at the end of So Tough very much- there's something massively feminine about ending a song that way; Spend, Spend, Spend reads me for filth; Shoplifting is hilarious; Newtown is quite zombie apocalypse and I love the weird little sound effects against a low key twiddly guitar; Ping Pong Affair is fab from start to finish, a short story. Typical Girls actually has a melody and a fab Jools Hollandish piano line (it's a real song!) and it's a fairly basic feminist statement but probably wasn't in 1979. Heard it Through the Grapevine is silly in a wonderful way. Would very happily put this on again- I'm not rushing out to buy the vinyl but deffo a solid listen. 3.5 rounded to 4.

So I really went back and forth between giving this a 3 or 4 because I think overall the majority of songs are just a bit hilarious and punky but not ultimately not great. However, the tracks I liked I reallyyyy liked and definitely made me jealous of not being around for punk, especally with an all female line up. I love that they are all women and I believe they were one of the few and perhaps the first so for that, I am a fan. I also believe most of them didn't know how to play their instrument when they joined the band so again, funny and great. I think the influence of reggae is so so apparent in this record, and of course punk as a whole has a lot of reggae in it anyway but it's obvious The Slits were big fans and the merging of the two genres here is great and when it is done well it is great. I believe their producer or manager was also big in reggae so shows also where the influence came from and not to use this useless word too much shows it was authentic at least. Thinking of reggae and punk colliding in 1979 Ladbroke Grove sounds great to me. Regarding actually songs I like, I actually love how the album starts and love 'Instant Hit' and 'So Tough' - is this about a guy taking drugs and they not working for her when she takes them? And then for 'Spend, Spend, Spend' she's now addicted? I'd say, though, that the best track has to be 'Typical Girls' and I love how much it just makes me think in this track they are the punk Andrew Lloyd Webber - the punk Jellicle Cats, when the piano comes in to me it just sounds like that I really hope you agree. Why though does it end suddenly going into a weird Christmas track ditty?? I hope again you know what I mean. And although the lyrics to Typical Girls has been done before and will be done again, female angst I will also support and be glad women are shouting about it, especially in music, and maybe they were one of the first, so good on em.

Not at all what I was expecting haven't never listened to them before. More melodic and ska-like, when I was expecting the female version of Skid Row. Particularly liked the drumming. Glad to discover something new and exactly what I hoped would happen from doing this exercise

Really enjoyed this, against all the odds this just works for me - another surprisingly effective combination of punk and dub...

I’m on vacation from work, so I’ll be uncharacteristically brief: This is very good.

I liked this sound! Sort of punk, sort of ska, neat to listen to.

"Cut" is the debut studio album by English punk band the Slits. A very good description of the music is "a fusion of punk and reggae, also incorporating restless and offbeat art pop." The album was recorded at Ridge Farm Studios in Rusper, England, and produced by Dennis Bovell. The bandmembers included Ari Up (vocals), Viv Albertone (guitar) and Tessa Pollitt (bass). Budgie of Siouxsie and the Banshees was the drummer. Commercially, the album reached #30 in the UK. The album is also considered a keystone for any and all punk-based grrrl movements. "Instant Hit" begins with a reggae beat with the drums and guitar. Layered vocals by Ari. It's a cautionary tale about PiL's Keith Levine's drug use. A scratchy-sounding guitar opens "Spend, Sound, Spend." That guitar sound is throughout the album. Ari is looking at people's kitchens and seeing things she needs...an obvious poke at consumerism. "Shoplifting" features Ari is full-scream mode. With her German accent, she is a dead ringer for Björk. This song is faster; there's sparse post-punk guitar. Ari figures no one loses when she grabs something and runs, runs, runs. "Love und Romance" keeps the quick pace. Albertone has this nervous, anxiety-sounding guitar. Various piano keys. Ari's aims are on relationships and male's possessiveness of females. "Typical Girls" cycles around a traditional rock beat and a reggae beat. This Ari goes off on pre-set gender roles. This album is an interesting fusion or even split of post-punk and reggae. At times it reminded me of The Clash meeting Talking Heads with Björk as the lead singer. I'd actually like to see that. Ari's lyrics are definitely tongue-in-cheek as she goes after consumerism, relationships, men and gender roles. Honestly, it took me a few times through the album to really like it and I'm glad it happened. This is a unique album that should be worth most people's time especially those interested in that late 70's/early 80's post-punk and dub-reggae movements.

Classic post punk/dub mix. The album cover may be more famous than the music inside but that is unfair. Interesting, groovy and slightly weird - like all great albums should. Genuinely an album that should be listened to. Best Tracks: Shoplifting; Typical Girls, I Heard It Through The Grapevine

Not my favorite in the post-punk canon, but a classic for a reason. For being so young they sure could put together a song. A great listen, especially if you like ska/reggae inflected rock.

I love it as much as the first time I heard it.

I feel like I’ve heard of The Slits before, but I’m not sure where from. Post punk generally seems to be quite hit and miss for me, but something about this felt more fun than a lot of other bands in this genre. It’s far from pristine in sound, and that really adds to the sound. The cover of I Heard It Through The Grapevine was really good, and they really made it their own which I liked (I didn’t realise this was a bonus track). Overall, it would be a stretch to say this is amazing, but I definitely enjoyed it.

They just make cool noises man. Drums and bass is really groovy and nice. The scream in the album is really cool too. Really like the version of I Heard it Through The Grapevine and Typical Girls.

4+

I don’t think I’ve fully appreciated how good and ground breaking this was at the time and still is.

wowsa þetta albúm er allt öðruvísi en nokkuð sem ég hef heyrt hvað kallar maður þessa stefnu? ég veit ekki en þetta er geggjað smá björklegt kannski Sæti gæinn í drive me crazy myndi definitely hlusta á þessa hljómsveit

Nice album!

Cuatro, this is interesting good stuff. It’s music like this that makes this list interesting.

Heard it Through the Grapevine rips.

Definitely not punk. Loved it, so fun. The reggae influences are on top.

I can see how this is not everybody's cup of tea, but bad musicianship? Seems to me they achieve exactly what they set out to, and I personally find the result really fresh.

Listened to this album twice in the time it took me to fold my clothes..i think i need to do laundry more frequently. Was better the 2nd time around. Was good but nothing crazy. Can see a world where i listen to this more and enjoy it but for rn just good. 7/10