The Only Ones

I got excited when the opening track started... ooh this band's pretty solid, nice production, ooh tasty chord changes. THEN the dude started singing. Jesus H. Christ. I'd bet ya the members of his band thought he was total shite too, just learned to enjoy playing together and TRIED to turn his mic down bit by bit by bit by bit.

Half of it sounded like credit music for a forgotten 90's sitcom, and the other half felt like a promising demo that was never worked on afterword. It felt like it was almost good a lot of times, but then just fell kind of flat.

Holy shit… that was awesome. This is exactly what I was looking for on 1001, bangers that were never on my radar. This album had a bit of Telivision, Roxy Music, Bowie, Violent Femmes and Of Montreal. First song was a good reforestation of the rest of the album, genre mashup, sounded like Roy Orbison mixed with Television. This album has everything I want, Proto punk, good breakdowns, solid recording and fidelity. What an impressive big sound and on top of that Horns and Keys, and in that way predicts and transcends punk and post punk. Loved it. Saved it. 5.

Regular ass 70s music lmao idk what to tell you. Songs to play in the background for sound that won't distract you too much if you're doing work but you want lyrics.

At start it seemed quite generic, but the later songs were interesting 3.5

First saw this band on 3rd September 1977 supporting the Stranglers at the Cambridge Corn Exchange on the first date of the 'No More Heroes' Tour. Was impressed then, and grew to love this band.. What a great devut album, although their masterpiece in my opinion is 'Even Serpents Shine'.

This was a great listen - like the Velvets after taking some happy pills. Excellent.

I guess I’m of the opinion that rock music is the everyman’s music; that you don’t have to be a perfect singer, or the greatest instrumentalist, or have ultra slick production in order to make a great record. Rock music should be raw and real, not belabored over and tweaked to perfection like some kind of attempt to manufacture perfection. The Only Ones debut record is unique, interesting, well played and engaging. If you want something “perfect” that checks off some weird list of requirements of what a great record “should be”, you should look elsewhere.

I was in at the opening track. I was out when the singer opened his mouth. I was back in with "Another Girl Another Planet." Learned something today about the origin of this song. Then they slowly lost me in mediocrity again.

Very surprised I've never listened to this before. Reminds me of the Undertones, Buzzcocks, a little Television. Never knew The Whole of the Law was not a Yo La Tengo original (and I like the YLT version better).

There have been some great oblique paeans to heroin over the years (Golden Brown and There She Goes spring immediately to mind) but Another Girl, Another Planet is maybe the absolute best. I saw Peter Perrett live for the very first time only a few years ago and it gave me a warm glow to see that he'd not only survived his addictions but was also producing decent music in his bus pass years. Meanwhile, back in 1978, Perrett's New York nasal drawl belied his Camberwell roots and the Only Ones' blistering rockers aligned them with punk and new wave even though this is a real melting pot of an album with do-woopy and jazz-tinged flourishes and plenty of genuinely involving moments which sometimes bring Graham Parker and the Rumour to mind. I've never actually heard any of their other albums which is odd really because this one is enormously rewarding.

Really great, interesting, mix of punk, power pop and psychedelia.

Despite Another Girl, Another Planet being one of my top three songs of all time, I’ve never taken a deep dive into the rest of The Only Ones’ discography. And boy am I glad that I had the opportunity. This is very Punk based, but it’s also great and eclectic in a way I wasn’t quite expecting. It’s slow and heavy when it needs to be, but also frenetic and upbeat, and sometime pretty Jazzy, but always presented with this ramshackle drawl and charismatic sleaze that really sells the oddness of the storytelling. It’s also just a fun, easy little listen, and as such, I’m really glad that I did, and excited to properly dive into the rest of The Only Ones work

The most enjoyable experience when listening to music is discovering an album you know nothing about and being blown away. Like a diamond in the rough. That is very much the way I feel about this album. I’ve never even heard of this band before. And that’s disappointing. Because they deserve some serious recognition. It’s really remarkable how much more enjoyable listening to music can be when it’s genuinely creative. It was made immediately apparent to me that this was something special when the album labeled as new wave and power pop started with a song like The Whole of the Law. The saxophone caught me way off guard, and was absolutely the last thing I was expecting. And what impressed me the most was that each after that continued to be engaging and unique, and try cool ideas. I kept saying to myself “This can’t get any cooler”, but it just kept getting cooler. The fusions of pop with punk, new wave, and possibly even jazz is executed perfectly. I think the real driving force of this is the lead vocalist Peter Perrett. His achy and meek style of singing creates the image in my head of a frail young man sitting in the corner of a room and singing. But the lyrics are actually quite sad. It’s a mix of drugs, depression, and a longing for love. This is so much more sophisticated and impressive than I imagined a late 70’s power pop album could be. I wish I had heard of this earlier, but that’s really the beauty of this list. Rating: 9/10

Thoroughly enjoyed this - really refreshing. Would argue you can hear Steve Lillywhite's influence. Quite surprised I hadn't heard of them before. I added The Whole of the Law, Another Girl, Another Planet, The Beast, It's The Truth, No Peace for the Wicked, and Lovers Today to my rotation. Quite a nice combo between New Wave, and a bit of Punk.

"Another Girl, Another Planet" is one of those songs you've heard everywhere but always attributed to someone else (probably The Buzzcocks). It's a great tune and the rest of the album ain't bad either; I like its soporific, heroin-tinged take on punk rock.

Soft jazz for cowboys.

This is #day265 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... as it often happens with the lower-rated albums on the list (especially from the late 70s-early 80s), I find them very much in my wheelhouse. Today's no exception. I'd heard the title "Another Girl, Another Planet" before, but I'm not sure I'd ever actually listened to it, let alone the full album. It's clearly a standout song (possibly their best one), but there's more fun here than just that. As for Peter Perrett's vocals and delivery, my first (and only) strong association was with Lou Reed, which, turns out, is a common comparison. I also hear a lot of Television here, which couldn't make me happier. This record is another great find. I'm giving it a 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day266.

Absolutely thrilled this album made it onto the list. Another Girl, Another Planet is easily my favourite rock song and the album holds up terrifically. 5+

One of the charms of this endeavor is to have never heard of an artist or record and to find something new to love. More often than not, out of 1001 albums, the discoveries tend to be of new things to hate. This is not one of those days.

Really good band, okay songs, but very off-putting vocals, unfortunately.

I liked it, should definitely listen again

Nr. 111/1001 The Whole Of The Law 2/5 Another Girl, Another Planet 3/5 Breaking Down 3/5 City Of Fun 3/5 The Beast 3/5 Creature Of Doom 3/5 It's The Truth 3/5 Language Problems 2/5 No Peace For The Wicked 3/5 The Immortal Story 2/5 Lovers Of Today 3/5 Peter And The Pets 3/5 As My Wife Says 3/5 Average: 2,77 Didn't really like the vocals of the lead singer. Songwriting was pretty good.

Je pense que ce groupe a fabriqué cet album en visant le 3 étoiles sur le générateur et qu'il a plutôt réussi son pari. On peut citer dans ce sens le refrain du morceau "Another girl, another planet.": "♫ Nous tout ce qu'on veut c'est pas grand chose, qu'on nous donne la note de trois sur le générateur, on n'a pas tellement plus d'ambition, na-na-na-na-na-na, Hey Jude...♫"

Um album Ok, um pouco genérico.

Not a bad album, just wasn’t my cup of tea. I still may have to give some of their other albums a listen.

I liked the band and the music on this album a lot! But the lead singer ruins the songs. Like total annihilation.

Excellent. Listened twice

Miles said, "it takes a long time to figure out what you sound like." And generally that's true. So it's amazing to find acts that, while steeped in the conventions of their time, sounded unique right out of the gate. Beautifully recorded; cohesive band; unique sound; great songs. Yes, please!

This was a huge influence on me. Tough to listen to now. But perfect

Quite a fascinating album, alternating between slower and up tempo tracks, with decent left field songwriting and a band that plays really well together (the musicianship is superb). You could argue the singing is the weak link, but I think his voice has charm and personality, sounding a bit like a combination of Lou Reed and Al Stewart. It's not an out and out 5 star record but it is different. And like say the Stranglers or Velvet Underground, it's the sort of oddball music that appeals to me.

Went in with no expectations (or context) but this album put me in a great mood. I think I’ve heard Another Girl Another Planet before but this was otherwise completely new to me. This album is really tight and fun, with a playful energy, though maybe lacking in real stand out hits. I am generally a fan of the sort of louche, jagger-esque singing style on display here, and I think it works here. I usually think punk is a little too artless for me, but these guys can really play. This feels like an early influence on definitely the replacements and maybe the strokes (a top ten band for me)? Anyway this is probably a 4 but I feel a little guilty calling the beastie boys inane pedophile music yesterday so I’m gonna be more generous than usual.

Opinión totally biased. I loved this album. It’s the feel, its mystique, and what it represents. The production, the voice and guitars… all is perfect. 4.5/5

How have I never heard of this band? That was awesome!

Extremely fun punk album. I don't know how much I would like this album if I didn't already love a cover of Another Girl Another Planet, but I do, so I do.

Ein erfrischendes spielfreudiges positives Album, das einfach Spaß macht. Ich bin ganz begeistert. Von wegen Demo- Versionen. So gehört das Album: perfekt mit Ecken und Kanten, die den Spaß noch erhöhen und den eingängigen Melodien nichts anhaben. Eine große Entdeckung.

It's like Violent Femmes before Violent Femmes!

Cousins of Buzzcocks, strung out neighbors of Elvis Costello, and the uncles of The Libertines. I found this album to be instantly engaging. Great pop songs and shambolic performances.

This album actually slaps, and offers a solid mix of sounds.

Meh.

this is beyond amazing in my ears, it’s so light but powerful, i don’t think i could trust someone who says they don’t like this album.

Definitely a precursor to the Violent Femmes, cool to find

Ok this album fucking rocks. I love this dudes voice so much. I feel like it was night and day from the last album which was a similar sound sorta new agey but not nearly as fun as this one. Never even heard of the band before but absolutely loved it. I'd like to give it a 4.5 so ill round up

this needs more recognition, omg i'm so glad to have found this. These are incredible musicians, one-of-a-kind performances, a really tight vision. The sax solos, the climaxes, the pacing, its all a slam dunk

Another one I've never even heard of! Fun. Right out the gate it doesn't sound like anything I expected at all. While associated with the punk scene the power pop and psychedelia elements are definitely much more prevalent so far. I'm pretty into this. I wonder if Gordon Gano was a fan of these guys. The vocals on "Breaking Down" definitely remind me of Violent Femmes. "City of Fun" too - which also feels the most punk anything has sounded thus far on the album as well. Oh yeah, the bit of freakout at the end of "City of Fun" also reminds me of the Femmes. These guys must be an influence. "I love my mother but I wouldn't wanna have sex with her!" = gold. The more I hear the more I'm convinced the Femmes are deeply influenced by these guys. Alright, I know I'll be listening to this one a bunch more - it's jumping up on the want-to-buy list now. This is fuggin' awesome!

Love this big sprawling guitar rock - one of my favourite genres/styles of all time. Something distinctly late 70s Australian sounding about them too, assume that The Saints et al were influenced by these blokes/this sound.

Great debut album: 5*. The other two Only Ones albums are also 5* but not as good as their first one: nonstop classic guitar songs, several of which covered by other bands over the years. Favourite song: The Beast.

Pretty good

Surprised with the Libertines vibes. I mean these are all bangers. Really good fun

I sort of enjoyed it.

9/10, surprisingly great songs really diverse genres and very fun sounds great execution all around

Must listen punk, excellent songs front to back

Very Great Album

Awesome blend of classic late 70s punk (NY Dolls-ish) and 2nd wave alt (Violent Femmes). Brand new band for me.

music just sounds good today i guess because i’m liking everything. this was fun and a lot of beautiful moments too. Fav tracks: Another Girl, Another Planet; The Beast; Peter and the Pets

They clearly played an important role in the musical timeline of my generation. Great listen.

can’t help but respect the forebears of many of my favorite 90’s bands

Never heard of them before. Pop rock meets early punk. Enjoyable and would listen more

Power poppia, mutta ihan tyylikästä rokkia mun mielestä. Vokaalit on new wave tyyliset ja niistä en niin tykkää, mutta muuten tosi hyviä kappaleita. Suoraan sanottuna ykskään kappale ei huono ollut. Parhaat: Another Girl Another Planet, Breaking Down, The Beast, Language Problem

I was not hopeful - based solely on the cover. But to my surprise this sounded like a Post-Punk Faces record. Will put on my rotation!

Really very good. Feels ahead of its time. A band I've never heard of before too. This is why I'm doing this!

What a great new-to-me band! 4.5 stars

8/10 Favorite Tracks:*The Beast*, Creature of Doom, The Whole of the Law, Another Girl Another Planet, Breaking Down Least Favorite: Language Problem, No Peace for the Wicked, As My Wife Says

Didn’t like the first track, was dreading the next 40 minutes. Then Another Girl, Another Planet came on and it is an absolute BANGER. The rest of the album while good doesn’t hit that same high but still a really good listen overall.

I enjoyed this! It felt remarkably current given how old it is. Vibes.

This was weird and I really liked it. I ended up listening to it a couple times. Nasally punk vocals with some more intricate, full-band instrumentals. Catchy, fun. The type of interesting album I’m looking for while doing this project!

Pretty cool album. Has some classics!

Not what I expected - but no worse for it. Just the sort of ramshackle I like.

This was a real pleasant surprise, despite the shaky start. Will definitely be returning to this one.

Loved it, what a delightful find. Reminds me of so many things I like, I don't know how I could have never heard of them.

50 seconds into the first track I started laughing. Which isn't a good sign. The vocal performance takes a bit of getting used to - a cross between the Buzzcocks and They Might Be Giants. But then the second track. hey I know that!? 'Another Girl, Another Planet`. Great song. Never knew it was them. Album grows on you. Excellent for a first album. Shame they never pushed on.

vocal esquisito é o charme, tem jeito não. esse aqui é 100% pro meu bico. curti pra carai, bom misto de pop, punk e psicodelia. até um pouco a frente do tempo, né, lembra algumas bandas de indie britânico do inicio dos anos 2000.

Mancantao! Super divertido, variadisimo en estilo y vibes sin llegar a marcarse del todo como full rock ni pop

Pleasantly surprised by this one, then again, when an album is described as power pop, there’s a 90% chance I’m gonna like it, great stuff.

Like a mix of Velvet Underground and Boston. With jazz and punk. Despite that, dig it a lot??

## In-Depth Review of *The Only Ones* by The Only Ones The Only Ones' self-titled debut album, released in 1978, is often hailed as a landmark in the punk and power pop genres. This review will explore the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, while also weighing its pros and cons. ****Lyrics Analysis The lyrical content of *The Only Ones* is characterized by a blend of dark themes and introspective storytelling. Lead vocalist Peter Perrett's writing often reflects personal struggles, existential musings, and societal observations. - **"Another Girl, Another Planet"** stands out as a quintessential track, encapsulating a sense of romantic escapism intertwined with a flirtation with mortality. The opening line, "I always flirt with death," sets a tone that resonates throughout the album, showcasing Perrett's ability to juxtapose light-heartedness with darker undertones. - **"No Peace for the Wicked"** explores themes of loneliness and alienation. The repetitive chorus serves as a haunting reminder that inner turmoil can persist despite outward appearances of cheerfulness. - Other tracks like **"The Beast"** delve into the dangers of addiction, using vivid imagery to convey a sense of urgency and warning. Perrett's lyrics often reflect his own tumultuous relationship with drugs, making them relatable yet unsettling. Overall, the lyrics combine poetic depth with raw emotion, inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences while navigating the complexities of life. ****Musical Composition Musically, *The Only Ones* is a rich tapestry that blends elements of punk rock with pop sensibilities and hints of psychedelia. - The guitar work by John Perry is particularly noteworthy; his riffs are both catchy and intricate. Tracks like **"Another Girl, Another Planet"** feature razor-sharp guitar lines that propel the song forward while maintaining an infectious energy. - The rhythm section, consisting of Alan Mair on bass and Mike Kellie on drums, provides a solid foundation that complements the melodic elements without overshadowing them. The interplay between instruments creates a dynamic soundscape that feels both cohesive and diverse. - Production-wise, the album has a raw yet polished quality typical of late '70s recordings. The mixing allows each instrument to shine through while maintaining an overall gritty aesthetic that aligns with the punk ethos. ****Themes Thematically, *The Only Ones* tackles issues such as love, addiction, alienation, and existential dread. - **Love and Relationships:** Many songs explore the complexities of love—its joys and its pains. Perrett's lyrics often reflect on lost love or unattainable desires. - **Addiction:** The specter of drug use looms large over several tracks. Songs like **"The Beast"** serve as cautionary tales about the perils of addiction. - **Existential Reflection:** The overarching theme of searching for meaning in a chaotic world permeates the album. Perrett's introspective lyrics invite listeners to ponder their own existence amid societal pressures. ****Influence *The Only Ones* has left an indelible mark on both punk and power pop music. Its blend of catchy melodies with thought-provoking lyrics paved the way for future artists who sought to merge pop sensibilities with deeper themes. - Bands such as *Oasis* and *The Libertines* have cited The Only Ones as an influence on their sound and lyrical approach. The band's ability to balance catchy hooks with serious subject matter set a precedent for subsequent generations of musicians. - Additionally, the album's exploration of personal struggles resonates with listeners across genres, making it a timeless piece that continues to inspire artists today. ## Pros and Cons ### Pros - **Lyrical Depth:** The album features introspective lyrics that resonate with listeners on multiple levels. - **Musical Diversity:** A blend of punk rock energy with pop melodies creates a unique sound that stands out in its era. - **Cohesive Production:** Despite its rawness, the production quality enhances the listening experience without compromising authenticity. ### Cons - **Dark Themes:** The pervasive darkness in some tracks may not appeal to all listeners seeking lighter fare. - **Pacing Issues:** Some songs may feel slower or less engaging compared to more upbeat tracks like "Another Girl, Another Planet." - **Niche Appeal:** While influential, the band's style may not resonate universally due to its specific blend of genres. In conclusion, *The Only Ones* by The Only Ones is a remarkable debut that skillfully combines poignant lyrics with captivating music. Its exploration of complex themes through an engaging sound has solidified its place in music history as both an influential work and an enduring classic.

Fav: Another Girl, Another Planet Least Fav: Creature Of Doom Think it drags a little in the second half but that first half is back to back perfect songs. This is the sorta stuff I like to see. Also shout out to having a song unironically called Creature Of Doom, that’s what I like to see from song names

Had not heard of this band before! Total surprise. Really fun from the get go. Peter Perret's voice reminds me of Neil Cicierega'a.

I am torn on this album. I liked the songs, the style the vocals everything. That said there were no songs that stood out in such a way that I thought I would seek them out again, but should they come up again I would not be unhappy. Maybe I will come back around to them again but I cannot see why that would be.

The only song I knew from this band before listening to this album was Another Girl, Another Planet. I love that song, but I was not expecting much from the rest of the album. There are hundreds of band that I only like one song from and if this band was worth exploring I probably would have done that already... right? I was wrong. While Another Girl is still by far my favorite track, the rest of the album continued to surprise me. I added several songs to my library. I think of like to check out more from this band.

Whole of the Law is such a sweet opener. Another Girl is a classic and easily my second favorite song about heroin. After that one-two punch, the album definitely settles down into more generic Brit pop-punk. They do better when they slow down a bit like with No Peace for the Wicked. The rest is serviceable but the first 2 tracks get this to an easy 4.

Never heard of this band. Not sure they made it across the Atlantic. Too bad because this is a good power pop album that has a touch of punk in it. Really good guitar parts. In one song, the organ part reminded me of Kitty's Back a little bit.

I'd never heard of this band before but this was good stuff! Punk energy but with melodies that would make me want to listen again. Reminds me of Television. The harmonic double guitar solo in "No Peace for the Wicked" really spoke to me.

I should come back

I liked this! Never heard of this band, but enjoyed the mix of sounds and lyrics

Very fun album, somehow the singer’s voice worked with the beach guitar and funky bass lines. Glad it’s on this list.

Pretty good but once again not much else to say. Reminds me of a sort of mix between Coma Cinema vocals/lyricism and Hoodoo Gurus instrumental.

3.75

The album The Only Ones, by the band of the same name, is an intriguing musical experience that, despite the vocal limitations of the vocalist, manages to captivate the listener. The voice may be considered peculiar and far from traditional standards of beauty, but this does not prevent the engaging melodies and deep lyrics from standing out, creating a unique atmosphere. The energetic guitars and well-crafted production support the album, allowing even voice critics to find pleasure in the nuances and emotional honesty present in the tracks. Thus, The Only Ones establishes itself as a work that deserves to be appreciated, regardless of its vocal imperfections.

What's wrong with some people-this was made in 1978 at the cusp between Punk and New Wave. It has that fresh vibe and energy and knocks the spots off other bands that came after.

I think I like these guys

Loved this. Sick guitar and sad and overall sound.

I've listened to "Another Girl Another Planet" a bunch before this but never checked them out (a song that sounds like if 'Already Gone' by the Eagles flew to Manchester in 1975 and did heroin for 5 years). Uneven song quality but I like their sound...a mix of Lou Reed, The Knack, Peter Frampton. Tight band and I like the production.

I really like it!! His voice is a little toooo languid but I still really liked it

Underrated album from an underapprecited band of the late 70s pop-punk movement in UK. Reminds of bands like The Undertones and The Buzzcocks. More than a pop-punk band as they incorporate doowoop and jazz influences. All the songs are little melodic gems, that stay with you. Another Girl Another Planet is the "hit" but the deeper cuts are just as satisfying and well written. It does bog down a little towards the end but remains a satisfying listen. 4.5 stars

very interesting 70's sound. Would like to listen some more!

I like this one! At least the alvum contains songs that make sense. Vocalist is so so; his voice is ok for some tracks but others would benefit from a change, he is not the most solid and has limited range of expression. Like the guitar riffs and general sound. All in all a pretty good album.

This was a really up and down album for me. I very much enjoyed the overall tempo and energy of the songs and I feel like the instrumentals could have fit in very well in modern Indie Rock. When the vocals kicked in on the first track, I groaned right away. Another whiny 80s new wave voice, great. Luckily my view changed over time, in some tracks his voice worked very well and I found myself getting over that initial reaction though there were a couple moments later in the album i found his voice grating to me. Lyrics were ok, a bit downer for me but when it's high tempo and fun guitar riffs I don't mind as much, and they played around with rhyming structures a fair bit. Overall a pleasant surprise, I feel like this is a band that gets better the more you listen, and was way ahead of their time.

I'd never heard of The Only Ones before. Really enjoyed this. Feels a bit like the Violent Femmes, although it predates them. Will listen again.

Yeah, this was good. Better than expected. A good listen, but could get a bit repetitive. It’s original and unique and I enjoyed it. 4/5