Cut

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)

Love the distinctive musical style and vocals. Didn't absolutely love the songwriting but the second half got pretty groovy.

Not my favorite thing, but I'm giving it a 4 for originality, influence, and because Ari Up is cool as fuck. 4

Really suprised . Very cool sound. Close to a 5/5

I get the influence but dont like it as much as I should lol

It's a groundbreaking album post-punk reggae, which has been done, but different. Really this is it's own thing and you can hear even in todays "white boy" reggae their influence. I loved the rhythm, bass and drums were cool sounding and I think her falsetto singing style fits this music wonderfully. It is not polished very raw, has the punk feel but an island vibe. I can dig it.

#159/1001 🇬🇧 Don't underestimate the power of this record. An all female group in the male dominated punk scene. It certainly broke many barriers at the time. It grows and grows, side 2 being the stronger. Best tracks: Typical Girls, FM, Ping Pong Affair,

favs: instant hit, fm, i heard it through the grapevine

An odd one for sure, but I enjoyed my time with it. Pretty good mix of reggae and post punk. Highlights-Instant Hit, So Tough, Spend, FM, Newtown, and Typical Girls.

Post-punk dub-reggae, what a fucking trip. This is one of those visually iconic records that I'd never gotten into, I was always expecting it to be something like glam-punk. It turns out to be something I could've easily been playing since my adolescence, it feels like it fits well with certain high energy Bob Marley tracks, also works well with more modern ska like Sublime. They've got a particular style here though, it doesn't quite blend perfectly with anything so it stands out as genuine. Vocals could be a little better, they're a little more on the post-punk side. Honestly, I'm very curious for other Slits albums now. What really made my radar was Dennis Bovell on the production. I'm positive his sight gave the album the depth, I'm unsure whether their sound can be appreciated without him. I mean, none of the main members play percussion, it's not a giveaway just a hint. 3.6/5

Have I listened to this album before? No How familiar am I with this album? I know Typical Girls How do I feel about this artist? I really like Typical Girls Pre-Listen Thoughts: I have this big box set of 70s punk, and Typical Girls is one of my favorite songs on there. Part of the appeal of this project for me was exploring artist beyond single songs that I know from compilations or the radio. Favorite track(s): Typical Girls, So Tough Post-Listen Thoughts: I get that it’s not for everybody, but apparently it’s for me. I really feel like The Slits walked so Sleater-Kinney could run. If the songs were much longer I think they would get grating, but they’re short and sweet which is one of the things I like about punk.

The punk x reggae x fuck it x girl power of it really works when it gels and grates when it doesn't, which means it also worked then. I keep wanting someone to rein in Ari Up's pitch, which places me as part of the problem the Slits were remedying. I'm glad she prevailed, because it would be a dull listen had it been smoothed over.

So like.. based on everything leading up to this point, I should absolute hate this.. but I kind of fuck with it heavy? This is 100% gonna take a revisit, but this is a prime example of something that’s just absolute slop chaos on the surface, but is so interesting you just can’t deny it. The blend of reggae and Elvis Costello esque punk shit is super addicting on here. I love the production so much. I have absolutely no idea what the hell kind of instruments I’m listening to, but I feel like I need to be on a beach.

I've heard of The Slits, but never listened to them. I didn't hate this. I think some of the reviews on this site are overly harsh. I enjoyed listening to this from the perspective of "I can see where a bunch of other groups have likely been influenced by The Slits." I was between a 3- or 4-star rating, and the "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" cover made it a 4. I'll be adding this to my list of albums to listen to again.

Jolly.

Pretty interesting blend of reggae and dub with punk attitudes and really fascinating vocal styles. I've seen a comparison to Bjork's vocals and I can definitely see it. I think this album is more fascinating in it's overall concept and historical significance in the overall punk-canon than it is in execution, but given I'm in the right mood to listen to this, I can see myself jamming it out on a hot summer day.

It would be the least surprising thing ever if I was to read Bjork was heavily inspired by the Slits. Edit: well would you look at that

Such a great example of how quickly music pivoted in the late 70s. Side 1 ok Side 2 awesome

Slits - Cut This really bounces out the speakers as a unique,hypnotic reggae punk dub mix. Wouldn't object if I single one of these jumped out again in my playlist, and it has made me want to listen to more. Found I have the Peel Sessions in my collection that I've never listened to but will stick it on now. Highs were Instant Hit, Shoplifting & Typical Girls. Will go with Instand Hit as best track. No real lows at all but let's say Love und Romance went by without me noticing it much. Bjork must have been a massive fan as so much of this foreshadows her vocal phrasing! 7.5/10

I really like these weird girlies. good energy, fun & bouncey. sound seems ahead of their time.

The first band in the project that I had absolutely never heard of, and, damn, these ladies rock!

Pretty good, if inconclusive side quest into how punk could incorporate dub/reggae ideas. It ultimately feels like a dead end or accent as opposed to a genre unto itself, so you can hear bits of this in Fugazi, their friends in The Clash, echoes in trip hop, etc. Albertine’s playing is incredibly creative, almost sui generis and Ari is unavoidable, but Budgie’s drums really jump out (guessing because of Bovell). Kinda wears out its welcome after several songs but I mean, that’s true for most of the earlier punk albums, not at all a Slits problem.

8.5/10

Felt surprisingly fresh and enjoyable. Kinda London calling ska vibe

So ahead of their time. This is the punk rock so many people forget about. Clever yet raw takes on punk.

While I love reggae and punk, I wasn't sure about this at first but ended up enjoying it.

Funky as HELL

Decent beats and interesting lyrics. Every song sounds the same. Heavy reggae and sk influence.

Nice

i had such a great time with this album! i don't know what i was expecting but it surprised me how modern it sounded.

In this house we love The Slits

interesting sounds. Cool Band. Would recommend if you like different sounds.

The reggae/post-punk intersection doesn't always work for me, outside of the Clash, but this is so raw, real, AND accomplished. Sounds like anyone could have made it this, but they didn't. The Slits did. Which, to me, is punk in a nutshell.

female clash

Poppy and fun. Couldn't find my groove in it but I understand the appeal

8/10

Authentic, creative punk + great, off-kilter dub production + emancipatory yet nuanced and personal lyrics? On one album?? And it's a blast to listen to as well???

riot grrrl goes to jamaica?? ganz interessant aber wieder nicht sehr versatile

Good punk

the cramps, lene lovich, the cure vibes

really enjoyable. somewhere in between Talking Heads and the Poilce? I think I prefer this to the latter's work

Genuinely interesting in places, a bit similar but much more likeable than e.g. Siouxsie's The Scream (1978). Shades of the unhingedness of Bjork. Like! 3.6

I love it when women...

This one is a 4 star for sure. Really dig it and it is very interesting.

tampoco hay mucha canción increíble pero inaguraron la posibilidad de tocar MAL para hacerlo muy bien

CONO!

Loose And amateurish in sound. Good reggae/punk album

A real treat to listen to this ahead of International Women’s Day. The Slits are pioneers. I love their attitudes, how they take up space, their inherently punk challenges to all the gatekeepers - what art is, what music is, how women should look and act and what they should do. Yeah, it’s amateur. Yeah, it sounds like it was recorded in a tin can. No, it’s not the best music I’ve ever heard. I still love it and them for existing and doing what they did in their time and place. In 1979, the year this record came out across the pond, I was nine years old in LA and was taken to a punk show with a friend by her mom (see: inappropriate 1970’s parenting.) Though it wasn’t a female band, I fucking loved the energy and felt possibility there, aliveness, expression. Long live such experiences and opportunities for little (and big) girls.

this is funky, i like it!

Cut by The Slits takes me by suprise, it's so strong and it's so weird. I expected weird, because I remember looking these girls up before. That they had little musical talent and were forced to be in a band by their nut of a father, then I realise I'm thinking of the Shaggs. The Slits in the other hand are prepossessed and cool, clearly talented, musical and overflowing with DIY inspiration and attitude. The first track Instant Hit, is almost normal and lulls you into a bit of a false sene of security. It doesn't last. So Tough starts with ASMR of a level rarely served in music. The panned vocals make for a really weird listening experience, like you're sat in a chair with the band performing all around you in the centre. I feel extremely exposed, like I'm drinking with a table full of comedians and they're all mining me for material while I struggle to keep up. Spend Spend Spend is when the band starts to wear some Jamaican dancehall or ska influences on it's sleeve and the refrain drenched in that echo/verb on "I've got a new improved remedy" is a production turn and atonal melody that feels so off kilter it completely works. It's very unsettling. Where the records really grabbed my attention though is Ping Pong Affair. It feels absurdly modern, like an early Wet Leg song, or perhaps something avant guard by The Last Dinner Party trying something new. Lyrically it's sharp as a tack, just a weird down to earth, honest, unpretentious, relationship, breakup, dating narrative somehow crafted without cliches. An almost impossible feat, especially since there's been 50ish years since it was written for people to steal from it and turn it into cliches, but no-ones managed it. The same is absolutely true of their most famous performance, the cover of I Heard It Through The Grapevine. It's idiosyncratic and totally holds up, it's also by far and a way their most played song, you can see why, it's a natural born needle drop. Guaranteed to turn heads all the way round like an owl.

Punk and reggae was not a mix I was expecting, especially from the 70s, but I didn't hate it. In fact, there were many things I really liked about it! The bass line on almost all the tracks was great (but especially on the cover of Heard it Through the Grapevine, which was a banger) and the overall rhythm of every song was interesting and catchy. The vocals were hit or miss for me, but they fit well with the genre. 3.5 stars!

Didn’t know what to expect but I liked this! Energetic and odd but not too odd

If there's a fine line between genius and insanity, these ladies have found it and are dancing all around it. Unique, fascinating, hilarious, and borderline unlistenable. I love it.

Wow that was great! After hearing the Le Tigre debut this definitely feels like an inspiration to that from the backing vocals especially. The mix of reggae and punk worked really well, essentially punk songs with the distorted guitar removed and with a reggae moustache and glasses as a disguise instead. It sounded like a mix of reggae instrumentals and punky baselines. Apparently they were very new to their instruments but they sound very confident here, the vocals are also great and work well with the style. Favourites: all. Overall: 8/10.

I don’t know what the fuck I just listened to…but I really dig it .

That’s some fun proper punk

Not what I expected but weird and also really fun took multiple listens though so 4/5

I actually enjoyed this more than I expected.

I feel like Cut is one of those albums that only gets better the more you listen to it. I really love how "in-your-face" it is and it's a really interesting blend of punk, reggae, ska, etc. Ari Up (awesome name) delivers some insane vocals. I'm pretty sure she was like 14 joined the Slits and maybe a year or two older when Cut came out. She screams so hard on Shoplifting that she literally pissed her pants, you can hear her say as much. I'm not too sure why I've added this anecdote but I think it's cool how hard she went. And then Johnny Rotten married her mom! The rest of the band might not be the most technically proficient, but the way the approached their music felt original and maybe even a bit brave given how male-dominated their industry and scene were. They gained the respect of a lot of the early British punk bands because they just didn't give a fuck. What can I say about the cover of Heard it Through the Grapevine that hasn't already been said? It's incredibly groovy and still aggressive as hell. It rocks, as does this entire album.

Don't really expect this one to be popular because it's abrasive and odd but it's that sort of jagged shrill sound that I can't get enough of. And that all the messiness is tempered with my personal favorite version of noted Alex classic Heard It Through the Grapevine...what a statement. "We can play normal, we just choose not to" Awesome. Favorite Tracks: Spend Spend Spend, FM, Ping Pong Affair, Typical Girls, Heard It Through the Grapevine,

I knew nothing of this band. Very tribal with ska-elements, the album art might be slightly racist haha I enjoy this sound...in the vain of English Beat 💓

me gustó mucho pero la voz como q no tanto, ns como explicar pero pues está muy bueno solo q hay alg que no me cuadra

A quirky classic

Very good.

For it's time, this is great.

First track great, Grapevine cover great. Rest not on the same level but this kind of post-punk is very much my bag.

Hä wie geil 4-5

Birtish '70s punk. One of Cobains favorite groups

SO fun

I like it. Punky and weird.

Hell. Yes. More of this.

Like a combination of Patti Smith and early Clash. Their cover of “Grapevine” was pretty entertaining. Rounding up from 3.5 mainly because they caught me in a good mood.

This was more fun than I was expecting.

It's punk, but it's not your cliched Green Day shyte. The Slits announced their arrival with an odd reggae / dub inspired slice of individuality. What the lacked in musical expertise, they made up for in naïve charm, attitude and enthusiasm. This, along with "In the Beginning There Was Rhythm" was their finest hour.

This album has a quirky sound - post-punk, plus reggae, plus some catchy pop elements. A couple of the tracks are essentially dub, and others verge on jangle pop. Ari Up's unusual vocal style is maybe the best feature. I think she was 16 or 17 when this was recorded, which makes her presence as frontwoman even more impressive. I don't find it super engaging or memorable compared to my favourite post-punk records. But it really embodies the experimental, "anything goes" aspect of this early post-punk period. The album is pretty consistent, with no bad tracks. 4*

4.5

for how wacky & dissonant this is, it feels like it's lacking in the urgency & energy that I'd want from an album of this type. a very interesting listen that's combining a lot of cool elements and sounds that I don't really see myself revisiting

Good album, feels fresh even now

8/10 Favorite: Instant Hit

This was a fun reggae/punk thing.

Very interesting *sound* in this album, touching upon some equally interesting themes with vocals that I really think I loved. This wasn't perfect but an enjoyable listen nonetheless.

It's interesting. It's not likely to make it onto regular rotation, but I found enough there, especially for when it came out, to see why this would be included. I can hear threads of what became the riot grrrl scene, but also Bjork's early career. Cool stuff.

You can't underestimate how radical Cut is: an all female punk band back in 1979, singing radical lyrics behind Dennis Bovell's bass heavy production. It still sounds fantastic, almost half a Century later. It's rare to hear an album these days where the music is made purely for the artists, and not the audience. This isn't a criticism; it only adds to the drama and intense atmosphere throughout Cut. OUTRAGEOUS comment: The cover of Grapevine is even better than Marv's original. I think the album cover is ironic? If irony was such as thing in 1979.

I've always meant to listen to this album but never got around to it. It's pretty decent if not rough around the edges. Reminds me a lot of early Siousxie and the Banshees. Not sure I would really consider it punk, maybe more post-punk. Pretty decent album but didn't blow me away.

Everytime I listen to this, which is probably once every year or so, I'm reminded that it isn't the album I think it is. So raw but so mature in the musical choices. Great record.

I really enjoyed this debut album listen from The Slits! They had a great punk rock sound but I also loved how there was some reggae influence in their songs as well which made for a very unique and fun sound. Overall, I had a great time listening and I would listen to this album and more from The Slits!

Primo Punk, 'ya know?

A jangly, nervous album that has always intrigued me with its drive. They take no prisoners with their beats, lyrics, or feel. Iconic version of Heard It Throgh The Grapevine, but everything here is cool and jagged in a way that makes you want to get in somebody’s face and dance.

if kidz bop had the nerve to put it all on the line and challenge the listener

Day667 - i can now say i’ve listened to the slits

Marvin Gaye cover pushes it into 4 stars

it's good and doesn't care if it’s good.

I fucking love this album. I had never heard it before but it combination of science fiction, punk 70s had me hooked all day. Awesome album! Love the band name!!

Great band name and the cover is such a vibe! This one was super interesting and while in some ways it was awful, in other ways incredible - this kind of music just makes me want to be in a band. I feel like I could play/sing as well/poorly as this, and be all full of rage/quirkiness and just weird people out, so good. Listening to this I appreciated that The Slits were clearly and intentionally pushing all the boundaries and breaking them too. (Even if it sounded a bit bad)

Scratching the itch of weird, experimental, low-fi, high-concept, garage execution of post-punk. A lot of jangly but druggy, ska/skank influence in the arrangements. B52s/Ono-like squealing sometimes. Production is quite muddy. Sounds like the bass is turned up. Reminds me of the dub production on the first Bad Brains album, which wouldn't come out for three or four years after this. I wonder if I could get a better copy on vinyl. I don't know why I like this album so much. Lots of post-punk creativity packed into short attention span, rough but poppy songs, much like the Ramones did. In the 90s, punk covers of old songs were a trend, and the slits contribute here with an awesome dubby version of "I Heard it from the Grapevine" that's not just a novelty. Unique, belongs in the rotation. Four stars.

Pretty raw, but good

Good one

Riot Grrrls

Jarring, weird, probably not even good. But it is interesting. And it kept me interested. Give me this over some Yank doing another album of songs about how he's a regular guy who just can't catch a break. This had something different to say

Tämähän on nimä ja kantta myöten klassikko! Ei leiki 4/4

I knew a couple of tracks coming in, _Typical Girls_ and the bonus track cover of Marvin Gaye’s _I Heard it Through the Grapevine_. Despite liking both of those tracks, I was perhaps a little surprised with how much I enjoyed the album. The sparse production really leans into reggae and dub and works really well, showing a different side of what is a typical male dominated genre in punk.

i fear yall just don't like punk if it's not the velvet underground

> the Beatles Good

(70/100)

More proof we should live in a matriarchy

honestly my fav so far

Delightful

The review is for the "normal" edition - The deluxe edition is way too long and has really really bad songs: Typical girls (blink style dub) was so full of clicks it was painful to hear. It's a bit too much avant-garde/arthouse for my taste, but even despite that, it's still a fun interesting listen, and there are some truly great songs there. The reggae with punk influences was new to my ear (at least, the way it was done here) and it was very well pulled off. These girls sound like they know how to freewheel it in style and pull it off, that's a rare talent. I am definitely going to listen to this one again.

A bit chaotic, a bit reggae, a bit punk. I enjoyed this Familiarity: [3 – Know some songs] Songs I would actively choose to listen to: [2 - Little] What can I remember the next day?: [3 - Half]

It really shouldn't be so entertaining. It makes no sense at all.

Great tracks

This was totally unexpected and really fun

Some how I liked this? A few tracks were a miss for me but I actually thought it was pretty good which is weird because I feel on most days I would have thought this was rubbish.

One of the very few classic Post-Punk records I never really warmed to. I know it’s good bit it never blew my mind.

Great stuff

Great

Amazing album. Not sure if I'd label it as punk, or at least for what we understand as punk in 2025. But for sure it's a good one, that will make you feel like you're in a tribe surrounded by weirdos.

Less spiky than I was expecting but I liked it a lot.

This was unexpectedly excellent. Off-kilter and fun and the DNA from this album is clearly present is a lot of 90's era punk girl records.

It is not the type of music I would personally listen to, but surprisingly I did enjoy it and what I enjoyed even more was that I, not knowing the band, decided to listen to it at the same time as I was doing research on punk and making a page in my journal. I appreciate the all woman Punk/post-Punk group from the late 70s for their originality and the raw energy of being true to oneself. In the spirit of Punk this is something different, this is them and I love that!!!

Really great proto-Punk Album and an influence to so many Bands. Fav: I heard it through the grape vine

love love love. we need more women making strange and off-putting music. NOW!!!!!!!!!! fav tracks: typical girls; heard it through the grape vine; FM; newtown; shoplifting

ok that was kind of crazy but i like them. not necessarily something i'd reach for but there's something infectious and likable about their energy.

lady punk/reggae band with their cans out on the cover hell yeah brother! Enjoyed this more than I thought I would, way more enjoyable than their peers.

The best female led reggae punk album with yabbos on the cover that I’ve ever heard!

Punk at it's punkiest. Raw, unapologetically counter cultural.

Pretty good stuff. I had heard a couple of these songs before on mixtapes or compilations and those were great, and the album is also pretty strong.

Hey, another great punk record. The Adverts was fine, little else but this is way more interesting. Goodst and yes.

The heck? I’m surprised to have not heard of them. It was interesting. I think I really liked it?

Wow, une autre belle surprise ! Éric m’en avait parlé, mais il n’y a rien de mieux que de le vivre soi-même (surtout que ça aurait pu être un clone de Peter Hammill, ark). C’est léger, c’est enjoué, c’est dynamique. Que demander de plus ?

Great record!! That's a band I'd love to have seen live.

Don't know why I avoided this for so long. I thought this was fantastic. Reminded me of The Raincoats. (Oh, I just realized why, both bands featured Palmolive, though she split before this album came out.) Angular, disjointed, unconventional. Their grooves are slinky and herky-jerky. But they still groove. (LOL: My wife heard five seconds of this and said, "Well, that's awful.")

Equal parts Nina Hagen, Television, and The Clash.

Love the attitude

It's some good post-punk. What else is there to say on my end? 4.5 bumped down to 4.

I’m at a 4, though it does feel more like a 4.5 if you count that cover of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”. Takes a little bit for this album to fully reveal itself, but once it gets going, it finds a tonally weird yet mesmerizing groove that can’t really be stopped: this is a strange, strange mixture of a lot of styles that somehow really works. We have a singer who sounds like Bjork, doing her best attempts to sound like David Byrne at times, to instrumentation that feels like a blend of R.E.M., Talking Heads, and the Go-Gos, all with a little bit of a reggae-infused flair that channels some of Bob Marley’s weirder, more experimental stuff. That first track, though… oof. Just a bad tonesetter, really. Once “Shoplifting” hit, and revealed this album as a sort of jack of all trades one, with a sort of ska / hip-hop vibe permeating a number of the tracks, that’s where the album starts to shine. It’s not perfect, with a few harsher instrumentals or some more boring vocal parts, but it just sort of sucked me in. Seriously, the overall flow of the album finds a really nice pace that’s easier to get lost in, without coming across as too lo-fi or too ambient. I can’t describe it that well, given how much I just ended up vibing & grooving around, but if you hear it, you’ll just get it. It’s a 4 for me – I wish I could give a better “analysis” of sorts, but I think the music speaks for itself. It’s gonna have to speak for me in this case, because I can’t find the proper words other than all the comparisons I made up top. It’s worth a listen to me, and I just really ended up liking it. P.S.: That cover of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” feels YEARS ahead of schedule. It should’ve been on the main tracklist.

really fun punk record. this one is nearly all attitude. it's maybe not the most pleasant record to listen to but man it fuckin sounds cool. and you can trace a direct line to several bands that would come immediately after and until today. i liked it! i will definitely come back to it.

I liked almost all of it

A solid album. All the music was good. But nothing really sticks out to me when I try and remember specifics. Regardless, it's a fun listen.

Super fun. It’s giving Siouxsie, it’s giving Bjork, it’s giving punk, it’s giving weird. Would relisten. Easily 3.5, maybe a 4. I’ll round up for the album cover.

This album is weird and it is so good. I had to listen to it back to back it was so unique. 1 or 2 songs I'm not crazy about but overall a great experience. 8/10

You know, I didn't really know what this was going in and I'm still not sure after finishing it. This was weird as shit and it was cool. It was a bit iffy in the first half but the second half is great. It gets some points off for the White person reggae but I did genuinely feel like I gained something from this. 8/10

Everyone who heard the velvet underground started a band, but in the UK I guess it was everyone who heard a first wave ska band. There are clearly germinal aspects of punk here, and when the sound veers away from ska/reggae/dub, it gets interesting. Like all good punk, it is best when it is barely holding on for control, highlighted by the frankly inexpert musicianship and amateur vocals. Sometimes the amateurs come up with something new, and sometimes that sticks. As usual, I thought about a lot of bands that came after that borrowed some of the sounds here, but didn't have that "oh i could be spending my time listening to that" feeling I sometimes get. Hasn't aged super well because it's frankly a bit of a response to what was going on at the time, and really it's still just pissed off young women, but it's original, it's different, and it has a solid identity its own. A time capsule in a good way and winner, I think. For everyone complaining about the 'rough' sound, go listen to steely dan or some other well produced soporific shit.

so fun

It’s raw but excellent

Love this album and all those weirdo all female bands it inspired. Typical Girls is a hit and I just love their spirit.

Kinda love this. The 'tude, the German accent, and the raggae influened punk come together in way that agrees just fine with my tastes.

Sometimes the vibe of a record and aura of its performers elevate the material; this is one of those times.

Nice example of an early punk band turning to new wave music and nailing it.

I love me some classic punk rock

Punky

Girl punk. Good. I would listen again.

What's next, Gash by The Incisions? I liked this

Nice music!

Love this album a lot but since im writing publicly i have to mention that the album art is racist. Thank you

Purty cool man

Len wanted to start a female punk band in 74. He couldn’t ever quite grasp the fact that it wouldn’t work with him in the band. Glad to see the girls went on to do some magic work. 4.3

Jest w tym coś świeżego. Miałam wrażenie jakbym słuchała zblazowanych nastolatek, które nie mają co ze żoną zrobić po lekcjach, więc sobie grają. W końcu coś, co jest jakieś. Nie wiem czy dobre, ale wyraziste. Aż chce się o tym pisać. Miałam dać 6.5/10 równane w dół, ale właśnie ze względu na to, że zapada w pamięć zawyżę. Chociaż punkiem bym tego nie nazwała, za dużo popowych naleciałości.

This was certainly an interesting listen, and I enjoyed this kind of punk-raggae. I'd never heard of this band before. Overall a good 4 star record

This is just cool. I don't get the hate; it's so different from anything else I've ever heard, in a good way. I could go for a whole album of the sound from their cover of I Heard It Through The Grapevine, which has a great groove and is such an intriguing take on the original. I listened to this twice already.

Really cool and dynamic

4.4

this is funky 4/5

I liked this spindly, ramshackle mix of punk and reggae a lot more than I thought I would. I’m not sure the Slits would take this as a compliment, but I found it oddly charming.

Absolutely loved this. Thinking about how liberally I should give out my 5s on this site, because this is absolutely stellar. Proto-riot grrrllll and every bit as good as the genre greats. Such energy. Love love love it.

Favorite tracks were... honestly most of it. The individual songs stand out, maybe because they’re shouted in your face. I quite liked 'FM' and 'Love Und Romance'. Good cover of 'Heard It Through The Grapevine' too. However, the album cover creeps me out.

This was fun! A nice change of pace from some of the other albums. It was bouncy and weird and put me in a good mood. Favorite tracks were Ping Pong Affair and I Heard It Through The Grapevine.

Not gonna lie, won't revisit. But interesting

Another of those bands I'd heard of but never got around to listening to. My mistake. Classic British combo of Punk and Reggae, reflecting the strong West Indian culture of London at the time. Very musical underneath the punky vocals. Nothing simple about this, I've played a few times today and got more out of it each time. Extra star for the cover of I Heard it through the Grapevine. The CCR cover of this is just about my most hated cover song in the world, so appreciate this fresh take.

There is so much to like about this record: reggae/ska influenced guitar, quirky rhythms, choppy vocal delivery, feminist messages. Mostly the music. The only drawback to me is the Tiny Tim style hyper vibrato vocals from Ari Up.

It's been awhile since I listened to this. Was a really good listen. Typical Girls is a great stand out track. The bonus track cover of Grapevine really works.

Honestly, what’s not to like here? Woman led early punk band that obviously inspired the Riot Grrrl era and beyond.

Musically, this doesn't catch me so much, but even before read the wikipedia page, it's quite obvious that I was listening to something important for punk history.

Really entertaining album.

Textbook English post-punk. Haters are annoyed by this for various reasons, mainly because they think it's about them. Which it is. Offbeat, inventive, often difficult, Cut is easy to dismiss at first listen. It's really not intended to be easily digested. You have to accept this fact into your heart. It'smeant tochallenge the status quo, whther it be in Love, music, family, government, capitalism, pick your poison. It elegantly opposes musical conventions. This attitude doesn't go down easy. But like contemporaries Gang of Four, PiL, possibly Crass (!), The Slits do the courageous work of tearing down the establishment. I said courageous and I meant it. Easy for snot-nosed punks to fly in the face of expectations. Now women are doing it, and that's probably what's bothering you. Take some time for self-reflection. Also Bjork sounds like Ari Up.

Stripped back, raw, a bit ragged and often brilliant. There's nowhere to hide, and it's not all killer, but I enjoy it all. I know 'Heard it through the grapevine' wasn't technically on the album ... but it's truly one of my favourite cover versions of all time.

We’ve spun this four times now; peeling back the layers there’s a strong, strong argument emerging for it being the most influential of the post-punk records of the late 70s. It still feels the freshest too. The drums tick and roll and batter; the bass wonders, punchdrunk and charismatic; the guitars can’t stay still, maybe they don’t want to be guitars anymore?; the voice somersaults, careens – gymnastically controlled, poised, enjoying itself, solidifying its dimensions while forming them into an archetype. This is a record I hadn’t realised I should say so many thanks to. It’s also perfect for a day that’s too hot to be in a house that’s without aircon – yet still pretty much feels like paradise. Fitful sometimes just fits.

This is fantastic. Not something I’d put on for everyday listening and obviously not perfect so I won’t give it 5. But oh man. There is so much music history in this band if you do a little dive. Shoplifiting is probably my favorite. It’s so fun. That scream and warble in her voice and that kind of skipping beat. Very punk. Very cool.

Really fun album, I like the fusion of punk and reggae.

4/5

Right off the bat, this album kind of reminds me of Animal Collective. Would this be considered avant Garde reggae punk? I'm digging the weird nature of it honestly. There's also a band I listen to with a female vocalist that sounds just like one of the vocalists of the slits and I cannot figure it out for the life of me. It's driving me crazy.

What a rad and bold record. There is no way that this would have been any sort of mainstream when it came out, and I love that they just didn't give a shit. Not only is the subject matter and intensity of the lyrics bold, but I really love how it's a ska-punk album. They're fusing those genres so elegantly and they do it without the obvious instruments (brass and keys.) I have so much respect for this band and what they did for punk and really all alternative / indie / underground music. Super cool.

## 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

I was excited to see this album. This album is a fun pop punk album that spans all genres but focuses on reggae & ska. It’s fun and an easy listen. I will go there and say I think their version of heard it through the grapevine is the best cover I have ever heard. Favourite song: Heard it through the grapevine Least favourite: All songs are worth a listen Album artwork: Iconic cover

I don't understand what's happening here but I really like it.

Cool punk reminds me of what maybe Bjork was listening to before she started the sugarcubes

So fun! Kinda quirky and eccentric punky, but the vibes are so so uplifting and put me in a good mood.

A shambling rush of feminist punk energy. For some reason, I never took much to this record when I was younger. Its style was just a bit too rudimentary to my ear. However, tastes change and suffice to say I love this album. The reactionary philistines on this website pan it for the very reasons that I love it, and culturally it was a massive stride forward for female voices in punk. Ari Up is sadly missed, a frenetic ball of righteous fury, but always tinged by a sharp sense of humour. No matter how competent you think they were on their instruments, The Slits were (and still are) a seminal group, and Cut is essential listening.

Fun.

I actually like this Slits album quite a bit. As someone that was not "raised on Punk" and only likes the occasional punk band, I was not expecting to like this album. It reminds me a bit of The Clash and even The Police in that it is still kind of "new wavey" and eclectic and got the reggae influence.

Another one from the vault of “you really haven’t listened to that yet?” I think it’s telling that I knew of the album cover but none of the music therein. It sounds like I need to clean out my search engines. This was a lovely left-field two-tone/punk album. I very much enjoyed trying to decide where Neneh Cherry was screaming in the background. I especially liked where my listening algorithms took me after this album finished. That says something.

Pretty good! This list has made me a big fan of post-punk and I think this might be the first and only mostly-female post-punk I've had?

Totally unfamiliar with this and thought it was an excellent record. Just a great place and time artifact for the post punk, dub, art pop scene from the time. Weird and angular in all the right ways. Loved this.

An all girl punk band from the 70s who have a stripped back reggae influenced sound is way ahead of it's time. Shocked they aren't more wildly known though it seems they are on a lot of the top album lists so it's probably just my ignorance. All the songs sounded thrown together so it switched between working really well and not very good, but there were several songs that were great. Same with the vocals, sometimes I really liked them and others they grated. Not a perfect album by any means but definitely worth a listen, 3.5.

Pretty good.

Love this. It's actually in my discos waitlist. They were real good.

Oh, man. This one is all over the place. Definitely not punk. But they're having such a good time. That comes out at every point on this album. Is it "great"? No. It's pretty forgettable. But it was an enjoyable ride during the listening.

Looking at other ratings I wasn’t keeping my hopes up, but this was much better than I expected. Although it is categorized as punk it seemed much more island/reggae or ska (certainly for the first half). It was a fun listen and I enjoyed it, 3.5/5 but rating up as I don’t think this should average below 3

I didn’t expect like this album, but I actually did! It perfectly encapsulates the feeling of the time in Britain. I especially liked the song Shoplifting and Typical Girls! It was a fun album!

Good choice for this list. Ska/reggae sort of punk-ish stuff, girls with attitudes. The singer sounded kind of German, reminded me of Nico and a little bit of the Shaggs (lol). Interesting lyrics and a unique sound. I'll give it another go.

Cut is one of those records that I've heard a lot of times. Frankly, it still sounds great. The production quality and realization of the style of delivery is complete in a way that I feel intention in all the spaces, gaps, and awkward moments (even if that is not historically the case). Everything is relevant, personal, and poetic. While it was the initial speed bump on my road to enjoyment, the vocals grew on me over time. And, if I'm honest, this is true of a good deal of bands that I enjoy.

Influential and well documented post-punk album from 1970. It certainly has its moments and nice reggae influences, but I always found it a little exhaustive to listen to in one go and was never able to fully get into it. The best song is a really great Grapevine cover, which is added as a bonus track.

Not a great album, but an enjoyable listen. The instrumentation was basic and felt at home with punk/ post-punk sensibilities. But the experience was odd - I vacillated between: "this is great, feels like a late-70's version of PJ Harvey's "Dry" and "this reminds me of "my dog foot foot". And maybe that's the most punk thing ever.

Quirky good stuff, shades of B52’s but more punk edge

4/5

They are really good!!!

i LOVED this

Cool and raw, but something was still lacking for me for that last star.

I had never heard of the slits before, but I really liked this album! I dug the girl punk vibes and the use of strange sounds (at one point it sounded like spoons falling to the ground?)

Very good

What an interesting album! I wouldn’t exactly call it punk but I don’t know what to call it. They were not shy about experimenting with new sounds and I heard a lot of stuff that would become prominent throughout the 80’s

This album rules! I appreciate the rough around the edges sound to music and I like the character this album has. The first song had me hooked. Interchanging between 5/4 and 4/4 is not something often heard on a punk/reggae record, although I guess a punk/reggae record isn't something often heard anyway. The bass playing stands out on this album as a highlight. The bonus track cover of 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine' is absolutely fantastic. I highly recommend this album, I had never heard of this band or album before but I am a new fan. FAVORITE SONGS - Instant Hit - So Tough - Typical Girls - I Heard It Through The Grapevine (Bonus Track) 4.25/5

Wtf this is awesome from the start. Really surprised by this one. I dig the style. Crusty and reggae. Going 3.6+ on this.

Pretty good actually, fun quirky punk and reggae songs. It’s meh at first but it picks up steam eventually. Cool!

It’s fitting that my 1089th and final album for this project is a seminal post-punk record as that genre has become one of my favorites over the last three years. The Slits are the rare white band that uses reggae and dub elements well. They infuse their defiant punk background with reggae and art pop to create something unusual and truly unique. I can hear the influence of this record in later post-post and fem-punk bands especially in its eclectic and masterful use of various genres.

damn they just got em hanging out like that? i respect it

This is the good stuff, to me. Kind of a pointless thought here, but: feels sort of stupid and arbitrary that early English punk often gets distilled down to just two bands, when there’s so much wild and interesting other stuff. Why not The Slits?

I like New Wave and post punk music, and recognise that this is an album that really bends pop and rock into unusual, oblique shapes. The infusion of reggae is cool. The guitars are twitchy and wiry, stabbing away as a needling counterpoint to the bass. And that bass - it anchors everything, throbbing away with a rare potency, making this weird music - dare I say it - danceable. Perhaps it's Ari Up's Teutonic caterwauling - influential in itself - that puts the brakes on? I can't imagine another vocalist making such a splash - she sounds unhinged - but I'm not sure I love it. Strong meat, perhaps best enjoyed sparingly.

I've spent too much time listening to riot grrl music and '90s Ska punk to not have a blast listening to this

Musically this really isn't great. It's jangly and her voice goes all over the scale. It sounds like some pretty talented but young girls playing in the garage across the street. And I love it. It's so appealing and real and passionate. Best song: Ping Pong Affair. 4 stars

in a lot of reviews i end up just saying i think an album is really cool and dont offer much else. i should probably work on putting my thoughts down more coherently. anyway, thought this was a really cool album.

Ok, this was surprisingly good. It has a kind of bolt, energetic style, partly punk, some reggae, and the mixture works.

It's just crazy enough to work. I really like this shit. I think Rainbow Arabia took some influence from this record. I was not expecting some Caribbean punk sound, but dang it works for me.

More like 3.5 but I'd rather estimate high on the punk records

like the reggae punk vibes. some of it sounds like a female version of the Police.

Good

Not instantly listenable, but there's so much going on here, closer to dub than punk, and it's interesting and innovative, despite all the influences. Wouldn't have given it the time of day a few years ago, but genuinely enjoyed it now. Also, Viv's great.

Fun enough and fresh-feeling, but very point-in-time seeming and also on the slight side, too. Slits were perhaps excelled by others working in the actual genres and sub-genres in which they noodled to admittedly enjoyable and melange-y effect. Jitterpunk would seem to work, without ever quite taking flight. All the cuts are decent, maybe "Typical Girls" is the best of a not overwhelmingly distinguished. The only real standout is the gimmicky (borderline novelty) but quite winsome "Grapevine," which suggests an alternative future where the Slits achieve commercial success comparable to that of the Go-Gos, Bangles or Bananarama. But maybe the album cover was too much.

A total shambolic mess, but enormously fun! I can definitely see why this would rub people the wrong way, but I really appreciate the experimentation. Wow, one of the other reviewers mentioned Amanda Palmer, and yeah, she really lifted a lot of her schtick from Ari Up, eh? Fave tracks - "Newtown" and "Typical Girls" from the album proper, but I have to mention the bonus track cover of "I Heard it Through the Grapvine" because it's tremendous!

Unexpectedly cool and polished. Clever lyrics. Not amazing singing but good personality. Was expecting much more abrasive. Favorite drum genre : white English attempting reggae see: watching the detectives. Standout grapevine. Solid bass too.

Fun, vibey album. Love the singles 'Typical Girls' and the 'Grapevine' cover.

A whole lot better than Whole.

Hah, well that was a bit of fun! I was really unsure at the start of the album - it is very much all over the place, but I really enjoyed it by the end!

This album could have been released today and it would still be fresh. It sounds like some indie group out of the Pacific Northwest. There must have been some strange art school ethic blowing through the minds of young musicians in 1979. It exists in the same vein as the B-52’s first album, which also came out that year. I feel like in the last year of each decade we get music that is truly pushing boundaries in anticipation for the coming decade. It never ends up defining the next decade but it sure does make compelling art!

A better review will be delivered at a later date. 3.5/5

Took me off guard at first but really fun once I got into the groove. 4 stars

Classic punk album. ‘Typical Girls’ is really good. I keep getting albums I have nothing interesting to say about.

Track 1: I like the guitar part and the random flute that comes in. Reminds of like a reggae beat. Track 2: I liked this one and the crowd vocals. Track 3: I liked the intro beat to this. I’m also digging the vocalist voice sounds really good. Fun rhythm in this one. Track 4: I like the chorus for this and the singers scream in the middle. I think the drum fills are also good in this. I like the pause beat they have too. Track 5: pretty good track. Track 6: I like the drums and bass in this followed by the random chord thrown in from the guitar. Track 7: fits the theme of the album so far. Track 8: I like the crowd vocals in this the random chords of the piano and the the bass riff and guitar. Good song. Track 9: this is definitely riot grrrl Track 10: decent song Track 11: I like this one and the end of it is cool with the fade out. Track 12: I like the bass in this a lot and kinda just letting it be a groove. Overall: 8.2/10. I liked this album. I liked the gang vocals and reggae sound behind it with all the lyrics too. This is definitely a good listen.

En af de større opdagelser jeg har gjort mig gennem dette projekt, mega fed! Hvorfor er The Slits sådan et visceralt navn at give et band der kun er kvinder 😭

Meget tæt på at være en 5er! Mere dub i min punk tak. Helt oppe og køre over den her udgave af heard it through the grapevine

It's never quite right to use the word "enjoyed" when listening to punk or post-punk. That's not how it works. So, first of all, this wasn't something that enhanced my afternoon making homemade eggnog on Christmas Eve, but rather the opposite. However it did have a fascinating edge to it, an effective use of reggae beats, and a healthy dose of grrrrrl power that I liked. I would have liked to have been able to listen at a better time.

I found this interesting to listen to…not lovely, but intriguing, I guess.