Reviews (page 6 of 8)
Wild punk!
3.5 for me, enjoyed it.
Wouldn't listen to again
Solid all the way through, like most of their work. I always felt they were a big influence on Pixies.
An ok album
Sucks bad. 1.53
Loved this. Proto pop punk fun
nothing standout about this, generic 80's punk.
Yeah fine whatever more punkish music. Sort of like Blondie
Punk, but not very harsh. Lots of layered vocals
Fun, lots of short and sweet tracks. I love what the California beach-rock bass lines bring to the simplicity of punk rock.
1981 alternative rock
Nice and punky
I wanted to like this album because it had a punk rock feel. The problem is I didn’t like it at all. A lot of screaming and no hooks made this boring and I had to stop before the end of the album. 2/5.
It’s short. It also doesn’t really do much to stand out from countless other punk albums. It’s good though
Tal vez sea un disco que marcó gran influencia a otras bandas americanas, de Punk, Noise o Grunge, pero que a este lado del atlántico no tuvo apenas influencia (ya tenían otros referentes). Su estilo combina el Punk de finales de los 70 con las melodías folkies ácidas de finales de los 60 (suenan muy a Jefferson Airplane). Pero no busquen un "Somebody to Love" ni "White Rabbit" ni "Volunteers" o "Wooden Ships" en este disco, porque no la encontrarán. Otros discos de 1981: SIUOXSIE AND THE BANSHEES- Juju, ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN - Heaven up here, THE SOUND - From the lions mouth, MINK DEVILLE - Coup de grace, THE CRAMPS - Psychedelic jungle, JOY DIVISION - Still, THE CURE - Faith, THE ROLLING STONES - Tattoo you, THE HUMAN LEAGUE- Dare, ORCHESTRAL MANIOEUVRES IN THE DARK-Architecture & Morality, ENO & BYRNE-My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucía- Friday Night in San Francisco, PRINCE- Controversy, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts- I Love Rock 'n' Roll, Franco Battiato- La voce del padrone... incluso: Face Value de Phil Collins o ABACAB de Genesis. Debuts de Stary Cats, Fleshtones, Barracudas, The Church, The Gun Club, Soft Cell, New Order, Duran Duran, Heaven 17, Depeche Mode, Eurythmics, Tom Tom Club...
Stupid.
Got a bit boring by the end, although it wasn't awful and there were some nice Pixies vibes, just too samey and nothing stood out.
Went to the Beyond and Back listening to this. May have to do it again Some Other Time.
A good album, my favorite of the songs was Adult Books.
A less unhinged Dead Kennedys.
I've heard of X before as an influential punk act, more specifically, the songs off their debut album, Los Angeles. Much like that album, Wild Gift is a solid punk album with some rockabilly styling and pleasant vocal harmonies courtesy of John Doe and Exene. Just about every track stands out on its own, particularly in the middle with cuts like "In This House I Call Home", "White Girl", and especially "Beyond and Back" with how uptempo it gets. It would have been nice if Los Angeles were included on the list, but if you had to pick one album from X, I'm cool with Wild Gift. Check it out. Update 1/6/2026: I decided to return to Wild Gift in the hopes of figuring out why I couldn't consider this album great or exceptional. What I realized is that, for as much as the musicianship on this record is stellar, and the vocal chemistry between John Doe and Exene is superb, the overall rockabilly meets punk styling felt a tad homogenous. Halfway through listening, it started to feel like the tracks blended with each other. It's still a fun listen at the end of the day, though.
Eh, it went in one ear and out the other probably because the last few albums have sounded the same.
Back to back punk I suppose. This one's not bad, a couple good songs, but there's certainly nothing as distinct to me as the Public Image album from yesterday. Female vocalist, which I do appreciate in the genre, but yeah. It's alright, I'll save a few tracks, but as a whole, nothing special. Favorite tracks: Some Other Time, Adult Books, Year 1. Album art: Really like this, it looks super modern, super contemporary. Would not have guessed '80s based on the clarity of this picture, seems more like a late 2000's indie rock album cover shot. Colors are great, looks like mostly wrapping paper on everything. Great to look at. 3/5
Very Ramonesque type of punk!
I like X but this kinda fades into early 80s american punk white noise in my brain. Los Angeles I think has the more memorable tracks.
This is a real fun little Punk record. It didn't blow me away but the guitar work was really good and they kept me going through what is a pretty repetitive album. Fav songs: - The once over twice - Universal corner
lustiger indie punk rock
Great punk rock album!
One of those bands I had heard of but never listened to before this project. This the second album on the list. Good stuff.
Some nice poppy, punky jams in here. A bit bland at times but overall a nice listen.
Great discovery! Really enjoyed listening!
Solid punk album. Liked the blending of male and female co lead singers. Brings a different vibe to the normal punk scene. Critics really liked it and I can see why. Enjoyed it.
Wild Gift by X is a visceral and intense punk rock album that captures the raw energy of the band's live performances. From the opening track to the last, the album delivers a relentless barrage of powerful riffs and impassioned vocals. The songwriting on Wild Gift is sharp and incisive, tackling themes of love, politics, and rebellion with a fierce authenticity. Tracks like We're Desperate and White Girl showcase the band's ability to blend punk aggression with melodic hooks, creating memorable anthems that stick with you long after the album ends. The production on Wild Gift is gritty and unpolished, perfectly complementing the band's DIY ethos and punk aesthetic. Each track on the album feels urgent and vital, making Wild Gift a timeless classic in the punk genre. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 9 STAND OUT TRACK - Year 1
Why did the first song keep sounding like it was going to break into Chattahoochee by Alan Jackson? Interesting mixing different sounds into punk. There were definitely a few songs that had a rockabilly vibe. Honestly in 2024, this album is kind of boring. I could see how this would have been fun in the 80s though.
This is 100% one of those *formative* records from the 80s that the authors of this project seem to love. That’s not to say it’s not worthy of its place in the list. I freakin love this band. X really is one of the most underrated punk bands of all time. When it comes to SoCal punk they’re always forgotten and especially when it comes to folk or cow punk. Social-D gets all the credit. But considering the nature of the songs, punk was still new, and at this point, hardcore was starting to take over the scene. X stands out as a band that takes a the elements of punk and mergers rockabilly, folk and country but still stays true to the nature of the genre. Hard, fast, and full of energy. They never take themselves too seriously. The songs have a level of humor and sarcasm to them that was later emulated by bands like Descendants and made legendary by bands like blink-182. This isn’t my favorite X record, I prefer Los Angeles or See How We Are. A lot of these songs are kind of similar, but for the time, I get it. This record coupled with Los Angeles influenced a lot of the music of my youth. Also shoutout to Exene Cervenka for being one of the OG female punk vocalists and John Doe for his amazing cameo in Boogie Nights.
Possibly the first hardcore album to “not be a hardcore album,” whatever that means, but it’s definitely a very ✨music critic✨ move to pick this over the more traditional hardcore record everyone in the scene actually likes. And when compared to Los Angeles, this is just bland psychobilly with absolutely no edge. And I don’t even enjoy Los Angeles!! Wild Gift does have a couple solid songs — all songs where Exene is given more space to do her thing — but by the end of its short run, it all blended together, and even the good stuff fell into the background. And that’s why I really can’t say I’ll ever revisit this. I’m so confused by this book’s taste in hardcore, and I know it’s going to make it look like I hate punk music in the end because Dimery keeps picking inessential/bad hardcore albums. Ugh!!
USKOMATTOMAN PERUS punk...
Classic punk with that classic raw production. Good energy and surprisingly upbeat
Another 2 for another generic 80s punk band
New wave-y punk, I liked it, torn between 3 and 4.
"Conservatism is the real punk" starter band
Great discovery once again!
I dig the sound, just didn’t find it to be a great album
Loved
Punk, lady fronted
This album really hits a spot in my mind. Punk music with a bit of riot girls is everything I want when I wake up and open this site.
Tja punk. Niet de leukste in dit genre en dan is het al niet mijn favo muziekstijl
niet mijn ding, had hem net zo goed niet kunnen luisteren,
Beetje een cluster fuck Soort punk? Wel ok
Kinda cool album… reminds me of someone but can’t put my finger on who…
It was good. I liked it. It was nice and punky.
4.0
This is how I'd imagine the B-52's if they discovered other emotions and let the women sing more
Fun.
rockabilly punk rock.. You can't go wrong.
Nobody has sounded like X before or since. Punk? Rockabilly? Yes and yes! We’re Desperate is pure punk rock but they can follow that with Adult Books which is… what? It’s another great track is what it is and don’t put X in too small a box. And Billy Zoom is a killer guitarist.
Great band, Great album. I've listened to this before and will again. I'd have a hard time picking between this and Los Angeles.
I'm much less familiar with this as I was Los Angeles. And I still think L.A. is better, but this is still excellent and I will listen to it a lot.
The only memorable thing is that both a man and a woman sing on this.
A great solid and succinct punk record. X has always felt a bit underrated to me. Happy they are on this list.
This was a tough one for me. It hovers between a 3 and a 4. Ultimately, I probably won't relisten often enough to give it a 4. But it's good.
Punk music doesn’t do it for me
White Girl
I think it's a good starting punk record. Not much more I can say
New one on me, and a pleasant surprise at that
Peppy!
Really enjoyable
This was surprisingly good
Really good. Unexpected
A little Ramones, a little Blondie with harmonies. Punk and New Wave undergirds it all, but there's interesting variation - a little rockabilly, one sounds a little Goth. Solid guitar Riffs and tight rhythm section. Favorites: The Once Over Twice, Adult Books, In This House That I Call Home, and White Girl.
Rips
Not my favorite. Kinda just ok
Pretty great stuff in here. I imagine it sounded revolutionary when it came out (hence Christgau) but the influence it's had on a lot of what came after makes it sound like a lot of other things to my ears. I may be hard on stuff that comes out of california as a rule.
This sounds like a stripped back kind of punk rock. “Beyond and Back” tends to flirt with rockabilly as well (could this be the origins of punkabilly?). With repeat listens, I know the band will grow on me. It’s nice. Overall: 6/10
WHITE GIIIIIIIIIRL
Solid guitar riffs and chords. Overall sound was good, not sure they would be in the rotation but I enjoyed this listen.
Thunderous, propulsive, proper punk aggro rock.
Pretty generic 80s punk
Cool, boppy punk sound, very Ramones- and Blackhearts-reminiscent, which is cool. But the music is very one-note -- almost no difference between songs. Two stars.
Another band that I should’ve listened to before now. They do not disappoint. It’s amazing to me the breadth of punk as it disseminated like a lovely greasy film across the late 70s and early 80s, twisting all other music forms into its nihilistic groove. I caught lots of B-52-esque energy in this - might be the gender duo harmonies. I’m getting closer to my beloved beehives. You could have given me 75 guesses and I would never have pegged X as hailing from LA - even if this was their debut album. I like being kept guessing.
80s American punk Not great not crap Ramones do it better
Enjoyed this little album
Ramones and Kill Bill crazy 88 scene band in one. Likey likey
I'd heard a couple of their songs way back in the early 80s and I remember liking their music but never pursuing it beyond that. Listening to this album for the first time for most if not all the songs on it, I am even more drawn to their work. They are really good! Lots of energy with a bit of a punk-esque edge to it but highly skilled and very well executed. It's a fun album. Nice!
One word review Crap
Wasn't excited about it. Feels like B sides
Wild Gift isn't for me, it's another one where every song sounds mostly the same, several shades of a palette that's too similar, and I've never really liked the lo-fi punk sound anyway. Shouldn't be on the list, 2.
This wasn't so good. Not much too it really, couple of catchy hooks towards the end of the album, but nothing that really engaged me. Lacked the tunefulness of 'proper music', lacked the rawness and energy of proper punk. 2/5.
A decent listen, this album doesn't run too long and is full of fun, short, punchy songs. A little punk, a little rock & roll, a little tongue in cheek.
Ahead of its time in punk rock, but not enjoyable by my standards
Not a fan, very boring and outdated. I've never heard of the band, and apparently for a good reason. Now I have to live in a shame that I listened to 15 minutes of this album. Unforgiveable.
I wanted to like this but the lyrics kind of made it forgettable, which is a shame with some of those grungy instruments. Sounds like a Sex Bob-Omb cover band.
THPS
There was something very fun about this album. It was a very good listen.
I wasn’t crazy about it. It felt watered down and weird, like the B-52s of punk but without the self awareness.
I like them. A little bit of a Beatles vibe.
Chill men tenkte ikke så mye på sangene egt
Fun album
No
Fuck off punks
These early punk albums are good fun. While this might not hit my favorites of all time, X was both good and influential and this is one of their best albums. Highlights - The Once over Twice, In This House that I Call Home, White Girl, Year 1
Yep. Dear to my punk loving heart.
The singer and some songs sound so much like Johnathan Richman. That's neither here nor there, but the music is solid, dig this album.
Great fun, not too one note, note too tone deaf, super.
Lite tråkigt punkalbum. Tror hela var producerat av Ray Manzarek eller vad han heter från The Doors så jag är lite besviken.
not the best album
2.9/5 Best Track: White Girl
Early 80s punk. Fairly soft and melodic(ish), but not very engaging or enjoyable. Rating: 2/5 Playlist track: Universal Corner Date listened: 27/02/24
Annoyed me from the first bar.
This was the chocolate milk of punk. Familiar, comfortable and enjoyable.
Meh. Early punk is not really my thing. Funny that they're actually American, because it has a very British sound.
Brilliant, and one I would probably never have heard otherwise! Sounds like an influence on loads of bands I love, especially suede and the Manics, but also on pretty much every punk band since. I didn't know "West Coast punk" was a thing, and it kind of wasn't really - except these guys - but I'm glad to know someone was trying to make it happen.
A fun romp. You can hear the influence in many who followed
A band I've never heard of, a genre that I'd generally avoid, and I loved it. Just loved it! What a happy discovery!
I liked much it quite of it very much and some of it just much.
I had a roommate in college who liked X and wanted us to go hear them when they played in the gym on campus. But none of the rest of us knew them and wouldn't buy tickets so we compromised and eavesdropped on the show from outside, on the grassy mound known as The Hump. That's not that interesting a story but it's a nice memory. Anyhow, I didn't take the opportunity to become an X fan --- they were a little too "alternative" for my tastes at the time. That's ok because they fit into my tastes just perfectly now. This album is great!
This was a fun rock album - really good punk rock that was a lot of fun to listen to. Catchy songs that kept me in it for the duration.
Öhm. Nö. Das war nicht für mich.
Really good punk album. I got a pretty good amount of enjoyment out of this, and it’s really good at what it does.
How have I never heard these guys before?! This is very much my jam and exactly what I wanted from this silly project. Songs added to Spotify: 5
Yeah totally fine and not much more to say than that!
This was good. Can't say it was anything special but it was right up my street.
I have a bit of a love hate thing going with X. They write great songs but I wish their albums suffer from thin, light production. Drums always sound insubstantial, just wish there was more meat on the bone. I had never heard this album and its the usual collection of fine X tunes. Not much variation in tempo and arrangement though. Still another wonderful X album 3.5 stars
I'd heard of X, never listened before. This was quite fun though, solid punk music with rock and roll overtones. I'll be coming back to this at some point.
Upbeat and catchy. Very competent. I can see why it’s on the list.
I’m reading all these 5-star reviews and I’m just not hearing it. Sounds like they are trying, and failing, to be the B52s. Her voice gets on every one of my nerves. I couldn’t get through the album.
Fun American surf punk
Rating: 8/10 Best songs: We’re desperate, I’m coming over, It’s who you know, In this house that I call home, When our love passed out on the couch
Didn’t love it on starting the first track, but I found it grew on me and was well worth a second play through. A couple of odd gear shifts between songs meant the album didn’t feel entirely coherent but for 80s punk I probably shouldn’t have my expectations too high in this regard. Overall enjoyed it for what it is.
Nah, not really a fan of punk. Didn't hate it, and listened to it a couple of times just to make sure. Just not my thing. They should Elon for appropriating their name!
This one was a nice surprise! I'd never listened to X and I quite enjoyed it. I really love a bit of pop punk and punk. I love that the music is not polished and is even a bit off key at times - it has such a good energy! I also love the sound of the female and male voices paired together! I'll be listening to more X (not into the name though)
Road trip mumble rock. These singers don't enunciate at all. Stand-out: In This House That I Call Home
I love punk but never got X. The sound of the two voices together makes me hate music.
Generic rock from this era. British feel to it? Pretty generically fine.
Ok
Not my thing. Had some fun beats at times but I didn't enjoy it. It did feel refreshing to have a female vocalist though
Boring and soft for punk, but not bad.
Pretty good punk. 5 for style, 3 for composition.
Not big on punk with simple instrumentals.
Just not my thing, the harmonies were interesting though.
Solid early punk album, very tight and well produced and played. Vocals were awesome, finally a female vocalist in the mix! Solid 4/5 punks rocked.
I really like the rockabilly and early rock n' roll riffs that're on here (which it took me a hot moment to notice for some reason), but otherwise, eh, it's just above-fine to me. The idea of a punk album that covers domesticity and relationship issues is interesting to me, but it turns out it's more in theory than in practice.
This kind of album just appeals to me, y'know?
…It’s just OK. There’s really nothing that special here – I have a number of songs I sorta liked while listening, just because they hit on some of my musical sensibilities, but it’s a pretty forgettable album otherwise. There’s no standouts, there’s nothing here but a really stripped down style: two vocalists, a good drummer, and a sick guitarist. Instrumentals on this album are great, but the lyrics and the vocal performances just weren’t always clicking for me. It’s a mediocre 3; it kinda just feels like it’s a worse version of Murmur by R.E.M..
Simply built songs. Lyrics important to the aesthetic. Speed. The sense that anyone can make a song, an album, be in a band. Punk brought a new aesthetic to music.
Vif, énergique et jouissif comme l'éclair
Like it and definitely worth a listen and repeat listening. Lively and entertaining. Good guitar riffs/songs with good timing of bass and drums to match. Vocals grab you. Never heard of them before but a good suggestion. Bit punk combined with indie. Made me think of Maximo Park. Three stars feels a bit mean but not quite four stars for me. A good three stars.
X had a great run of must-hear albums in the early-mid 80's with music that was smart, intelligent punk combining styles of rockabilly, country, blues, R & B and roots rock and put on energetic live shows. The first album, Los Angeles was groundbreaking and added California to the punk rock map. Their second album, Wild Gift was just as good, it was rawer and less over-produced than the first and the songs were a continuation in style and intensity of Los Angeles. In some ways, I prefer Wild Gift, it was maybe a bit overlooked and underrated in the overall X catalog, but it was an important record and lasting punk masterpiece, before the band signed to the Majors and smoothed out (and quieted) their sound. Solid and essential, if you can find it!
Early punk. good stuff, but over too soon.
A more eclectic version of The Ramones, X has all the downstroke chugga chugga chugga distorted guitar, but mixes it up with more direct influences from surf, rockabilly, and funk for a slightly less teenage sound that straddles the vintage punk/post punk styles. Seeds of pop-punk and emo here as well as hardcore - fast riffs, (top notch) active melodic bass, catchy singing and even some harmonies. Favorites: Adult Books, In this house, Universal Corner, White Girl
I had never heard of X before this morning. After a couple of listens I’m under the opinion that Wild gift is a punk rock gem. The album is full of energy, passion, and originality, thanks to the distinctive vocals of Exene Cervenka and the rockabilly-inspired guitar of Billy Zoom. The songs are catchy, fast, and diverse, exploring themes of love, desperation, and rebellion. Some of the Punk Purists might argue that this is not punk, but I think it’s a refreshing and innovative take on the genre that expands its boundaries and possibilities. This is one of those albums that I will listen to over and over again, and I give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
i like the cover art and assumed it was an indie band from the early 2000s. like that i can hear a woman, gonna read up on them. love albums that aren’t too long as well… it was good and cool and really 90s grungy and punk feeling, short and to the point; i liked it.
It's not bad, but I don't think I'll be listening to this very often in the future
Such a punky start, first song, it is repetitive but fun to listen to plus full of sounds. It is a great song but if the whole album sounds like that then it's basic. Second song seems progressive in the chorus. I like the woman's voice, it's rocky man's one is basic and used too much. Third starts a little tropical, though songs doesn't sound the same they have the same beat. It's a little melancholic like bloodhound gang vibe, but if they were slow. It's not full, I feel I'm listening from a distance. It also sounds toooo long. 4th is fun, but yet again it's too common for that song to be played like that, even instrumental break isn't interesting. I don't get the hype for now There should be more woman vocals, as it's rare in the ones I've listened to 5th song has it . They mentioned Madonna that's a plus point for them. Nothing much here. Every song sounds the same, 6th song has constant guitar and drums, but it's not Interpol so they don't do their job, also the way they sing isn't unique, just plain roxj/punk singing, which is fine but not enough for me. 7th song and can't wait to be done with this album, it's a 2 star for now. I like that both of them sing together. Why the songs sound way longer than just 3 minute, because it's boring I suppose. 8th I get that it's one album but they don't know other chords?! Girl singing, way better and listenable. Girl is dominant in the voices in this song, kinda prefer this. Basically every chorus was the louder version of the verses, not a good way to show them. They ain't catchy, just not as bad to hate them. 9th song bad a Rammstein start. I really do love that there's both genders singing. They are not bad at all just too same vibe in the songs yk. Also this song was sampled by red hot chilli peppers. 10th song, it has a country/blues vibe. I would quick jump to this, but it's not giving karaoke so badd. I didn't even check the meanings, but I get why this sounded important back then. 11 song is an interlude and too short to make a comment about it. Kinda same with 12th song but this one and a character. Aand last song is also short, with the same fucking vibe. Well nice way she sings again, just booring. Basically I expected more, it's still a 2 star album, nothing more, it's not 1 because the genre is listenable and also girl/boy singing and a little uniqueness in it.
Punktastic
This is noise, trash and annoying. I hope your album selection gets better quickly or I'm out. If there was a zero stars, that would be my vote.
Not a fan...too fast, too loud and the instruments have a whiny, screeching sound. It is, however, upbeat..would be good to listen to when working out or when you need some artificial cocaine!!!
Definitely high energy, kind of generic for my taste. Not really feeling it
Their duo singing punk style has such a B52s vibe (“ Rock Lobster” ) Not sure who was first …. (Actually Rock lobster came out 1979, so B52s win) This album is aight, it would really accompany an edgy and grainy skateboarding video really well. Or like during a roller derby match …. Or definitely in a tattoo shop If I’m in the mood for this style , I’ll put on the b52s because it’s more fun and danceable 🕺🏻 💃 🪩 🦞
It's weird to think about this music co-existing at the same time as Michael Jackson or any other synthy early 80s pop. I'm not too familiar with the punk genre, it's probably not for me, but I respect that they're getting after it .
Only vaguely heard of this band before, and never listened to them. This was pretty good stuff, punky and fun.
fun up beat and all around great mixing. was not what I was expecting but I enjoyed it. just fun punk.
Previous Familiarity: Relatively low. Heard "We're Desperate" and "Adult Books" on a the great 70's punk compilation "No Thanks". Post-Punk found it's legs here. This album from 1981 is a foundation for so many post-punk groups that came to life in the 2000's and 2010's. The spoken/yelled lyrics, tag-teamed by 2 charismatic vocalists, makes each song an interesting listen. The guitar works is outstanding as well. Angular when it needs to be and beefy when the time is right. Not sure why it took me so long to explore this album. Glad it was on this list!
Nope. Not for me. Don’t like the voices. Don’t care for the music.
It's like really weird rockabilly, but with a Blondie sheen on it. OK, less of a Blondie sheen, actually---like some of these are very Blondie, but some of these are like less-sophisticated versions of Siouxsie and the Banshees, and I find that interesting. It has a sloppy polish to it that puts it closer to the blues records that influenced rock and roll versus the garage bands that ended up influencing punk. It's so interesting.
Love it. Need to learn more about them.
Fun, easy-going, old-school, punk sound without any songs I actually enjoyed.
I really liked this. It was consistent without being repetitive. Liking punk is something I didn't expect to come out of listening to all these albums, but it has really driven home that I vastly prefer punchy, fast-paced music. "I'm Coming Over" was my favourite track and I'll be saving it to my highlights playlist!
good not great
I enjoyed it though it did wash over me a bit.
reminds me of better british punk, so this gets 3 stars
The wiki mentioning rockabilly and RHCP set my expectations as low as can be. The album is just fine, but Ithink it’s hard for me to get excited about this kind of music. Very cool cover though. 2.4
Pretty good LA punk.
Great punk rock from the ‘80s.
I wasn’t familiar with X at all other than the hits on various punk compilations. I was under the impression it only had a girl singer, image my surprise. I liked it a lot, when our love passed out on the couch was my favorite.
Such a fun album with a unique sound! Yes, it’s punk, but there’s actually some really interesting rockabilly in there too. The hooks are catchy, the lyrics are enigmatic, the guitar riffs are rocking. It’s a punk rock collection of love songs. But it’s the vague harmonizing and shout-sung vocals from Exene Cervenka and John Doe that really makes the album sparkle. I’ll definitely be coming back to this album—one of my favorite discoveries from this project!
This starts promising, but I find it to be really generic sounding. Like if you asked someone to make punk rock with no strings attached, this would be the outcome. Its fine, but hardly notable in my eyes, save for the intrigue of a shared lead singer position between a girl and boy, but Sonic Youth pulls that dynamic off far better.
Meh.
These album is straight cheeks, man.
It's hard to believe that this list could do such a poor job of showcasing punk music. There's so many albums included in the list that are loosely considered "punk". But so many of them are so bland when punk can offer so much more.
Fun, rocky, short
enjoyed.
Thoughts before listening: X is a band that has been on my radar since I was a high schooler listening to punk rock, but I pretty much only paid attention to the first album until recently (I love the first album). I have heard this album and it is very good, so I am excited to give it another listen. Review: I love X's sound. The rockabilly inspirations, the male/female vocals, and the fact that they have a very polished sound for a punk band at a time when most bands in that scene still valued sloppiness over everything else. In that regard X were one of the biggest influences on much of the 90s punk I would later be obsessed with not to mention bands like Rev Horton Heat who would mirror their fusion of punk rock with rockabilly sounds. Wild Gift is great even if it doesn't have quite the same legendary status of their first album Los Angeles. If anything there is even more of an approachable poppiness to their sound on here. The best songs are The Once Over Twice, We're Desperate, and White Girl, all of which are getting added to the playlist. This is a 4-star album.
Not really in my wheelhouse musically but it’s ok.
Not sure how to rate this for now. Only listened once , 3/5 for now, may listen again
Pretty good, I don't mind this type of punk.
Blah punk
Never heard of this band but it's a great punk rock album!
Sounds like a Ramones and Sonic Youth had a baby. It sounds exactly like you'd expect early 80s punk to sound. Because, musically, it sounds like every other early 80s punk song. The female vocalist sets it apart from its peers, but definitely not enough to outweigh the fact that it's bog standard, formulaic, early punk rock.
Rock / Punk mix
Would I listen to this album again? No. First time hearing the full album? Yes. Were there any songs I skipped? No. Comments? Mediocre punk like album. Favourite Songs? I'm Coming Over, When Our Loved Passed Out on the Couch.
Run-of-the-mill punk/indie rock. Fairly decent, not unpleasant but not a genre I like and nothing outstanding. As usual, when the album ended Spotify continued playing its similar recommendations and I didn't notice.
When I heard “rising” repeated on Universal Corner I thought “oh gross, this sounds like The Doors.” Then I check Wikipedia and see this album was produced by Ray Mancerek and also learn that The Red Hot Chili Peppers sampled a song from this album, so two strikes against Wild Gift. But it’s not bad. Adult Books is a pretty good song. I don’t like punk, but this was more melodic and musically varied than what I think of as punk. Not an album I’m likely to spin again, but not entirely unenjoyable.
I can't stand the vocalist voice.
Boring songs and vocals, not very musical
Good
Never actually heard of these guys and they aren't that bad. I mean it's still early punk and it very much sounds like it but it's not bad. 6/10
Quite good
This felt like a combination of Blondie and Cyndi Lauper. Very 80's very fun.
нормальные панки, слушать я такое конечно не буду но не отвратительно
It was fine 2.7/5
Overall X just isnt for me. I have had a hard time getting into their style of "punk". I understand their influence but that era of new wave punk just isnt my jam.
4.5
Solid album. Lots of genres. The Spotify playlist after this album was awesome - probs better than the album. 3.3
Thought it might be a punk album that I actually kinda like at the start, but nope. It was boring and felt long despite being short. I liked the vocals kinda, but I still find the music boring, so. My favourite song was The Once Over Twice.
Bro, the lady and the man singing the same shit at the same time is like part of my nightmares. Her voice is absolutely horrible - like why are you yelling lady and singing off key. The band backing is awesome though. The guitar and bass and drums are all really good. Unfortunately, the singing takes away so much enjoyment, it makes it like a 2 to me. Listening to the last few tracks, where there is less duplication on the singing recovers it back to a 3. The band is really nice to listen to, and the singer is more tolerable toward the end, and knowing it's a punk type band makes the singing fit a little better. I can picture myself at a show for a band like this.
The best punk album I’ve heard so far, still not amazing though. It was enjoyable enough, but really nothing special. Every track sounds the same to me. 6/10 Top 3: 1. The Once over Twice 2. In This House That I Call Come 3. It’s Who You Know
Punk lite, some pretty catchy. Shades of Sonic Youth.
3.75
Widely described as punk rock infusing country, blues, and rockabilly. If this is your thing then you'll be whoopin' with the rest of beer-swillin' crowd. On the other hand, if you understand what punk was actually about, you'l be crying into that beer.
Great punk with a bit of blues or country or folk to some of it. Not too heavy and not too repetitive.
Maschine: Focal Clear Mische: gar nicht sooo scheisse Musik: Nix besonderes (für mich). Da höre ich lieber B52s oder Pixies... Meine Wertung: 1/5
Ну нееее.
Pretty fun punk album. Nothing to hate nadda to love🤷
Really like the minor-key wailing vibe of "Adult Books," more interesting than the straight-ahead punk of the first two tracks. Giving this 4 stars because I like the weirdness of the harmonies
didn't wow me, didn't hate it either. the canonical 3.
It was alright. Not a huge fan of her voice.
It’s reassuring when you pretty much know what year an album has come out and where the band are from even though you’ve never heard of Twitter, sorry, X. Except they aren’t from New York but Los Angeles. It’s bizarre. If Talking Heads , Television and Blondie tried to make a lightweight Ramones album it would sound just like this. Hey, it’s quirky and feisty. Maybe I’ll listen to it again someday but it just seems slightly behind the curve.
It's kinda punk, but about five years too late. A bit shouty for my taste, but not terrible.
It was pretty good but didn’t love it :( I think it just felt like I’ve heard similar sort of music that had been more intense but it was not bad
Nothing particularly special
I thought this was just okay. Hope the next one is not punk
Not my thing
Noise. Sorry, listened to it twice cos I couldn’t remember enough about it first time to rate it and it would appear the same thing happened second time.
Made it through the album. Barely. Interesting though.
In plain words, this album felt cool. I don't have a ton of experience with punk music, but there's enough variance here among what the quintessential high-energy songs to keep me entertained the whole time. Not much bad I can say here in all honesty, just good, cool music. Highlight: Adult Books Lowlight: n/a Surprise Hit: When Our Love Passed out on the Couch
blondie vibes, nothing jumped out but enjoyable throughout!
Like the pixies but not as good
3.5/5
Was like Fleetwood Mac meets grunge. By no means was it bad, just not my jam.
This is fine, its punky and varied, but I just think there is better stuff on this list and think this will be quite forgettable
I have listened to Los Angeles, Under the Big Black Sun and More Fun In The New World. So how did i miss this album? I'm not sure but it was well worth the wait. Los Angeles remains my favorite but this is a solid album and a great listen and their musicianship and harmonies are at the top of their game here; X dispelled the notion that punk music had to be "sloppy". This was a very talented band. I still prefer the other X albums over this one, and i am curious if any other X albums are on the list, but this is a good record.
Completely forgot this album.It’s generic punk with a female singer for most of it.Nothing spectacular.
Started out good, got a little bored of it by the end though. Will I listen to again: 50%
Pretty good. Third time around for me, (3 & 3) Standouts: Once Over Twice, Adult Books, 4/5
Same as 2 of of theirs
J'aime pas rock pas fou
It's tricky to pinpoint what makes this X outing so satisfying. The style's aged well: A 2020s album with the same sound would have to try hard to be bad. The chord progressions are fundamental; No one in the rhythm section showboating. Teaming up on the vocals is, at least, distinctive. Thirteen tracks in this gift is so consistent in bluster that it doesn't have to be mindblowing.
Downright boring
Uninteresting pop punk
Liked it. Not every song was a winner but they all were good.
Ok
This kicks ass. Never heard before but will be listening again
I though it was gonna be another ZZ Top type band, but was actually shook when I heard a women’s voice. Songs were a nice mix between rock, punk, country, and surfer rock. The lead male singer also reminded me of Elvis for some reason. Fuck. Everything I wrote after this was deleted and I don’t remember what I wrote. I liked it but didn’t love it. 6/10
Meh 3/10
A fun experience to listen to. There are no real standout tracks here but the punk rock elements are strong throughout while mastering the decade split in styles between the 70s and the 90s. No song overstays it's welcome and the album is so diverse in sound that you're never board during a listen. 7/10
Ooooo its the Violent Females. Adult Books was a jam even it was a little repetitive and went on a bit too long. They really could have used better mics and it would have made these songs 100% better. I like punk because they get to point, they scream at you for a minute n a half and leave abruptly. In this house that i call home has a smooth bassline. Female singer sounds like one of the chicks from the B52s. I enjoyed the dueting punk style of the two lead singers, their vocal styles complemented each other. A few of these songs sounded a bit similar and could have used something to set them apart from each other. The songs themselves were a bit repetitive but don’t overstay their welcome, so it works out. Still a pretty solid album that makes me want to listen to The Violent Femmes. 7/10
Weirdly quite similar to the last album generated (Rid of Me). Not quite as notably amazing sound but still great, and much more palatable lyrics. Favourite song Some Other Time, which I liked enough to download.
Just didn’t grab me
One of the better punk albums I've heard on this list. Both female and male voices on this album. Strangely for me I prefer the male voice it's more melodic less shouty, essentially less punk.
I really enjoyed this. Fun punk rock jams that really grabbed my attention. Lots of standout songs on this record. Very well done.
For an early 80s album, you can hear a lot of 90s alt-rock and pop punk in here Favourite tracks: We’re Desperate, Adult Books, In This House…, White Girl, Beyond and Back
A welcome suprise after a few crappy albums. Fun punk, can't believe this came out in 1981. 3.5/5
This was fun!
This was really good. I was aware of X before, but hadn’t really listened. This seems ahead of its time. Would have sounded contemporary in late 80s early 90s.
3+
Sooo good. Straightforward and tight with great musicianship and melodies. Those baselines! And the rockabilly vibes! It’s also super accessible but so varied in styles, which I can’t imagine is an easy feat. Such an awesome discovery! Tucked away safely for future listens.
Wild indeed. Sleazy, but melodic.
Didn’t touch the sides
Como rock indie. Bien.
Ehh, nice but not remarkable.
I feel like I've been getting a lot of punk/postpunk from this era lately. It's not a bad thing, I've really liked getting more familiar with the development of the punk genre, but at the same time I was getting a bit weary of the genre before listening to this album. I liked this album. The dual male/female vocalists adds a lot of versatility to the band. There are some sonic parallels between this band and the Pixies, which is really cool from such and early album. I think it's possible that I would have liked this album more if my ears were fresh, but it's still really good in my opinion 4/5
I like the X - Lost Angeles album and have listened to it a lot over the years. This album I was less familiar with but still really enjoyed it.
Hmm. I'm a fan of their first album, but I think their bit of punk bit of rockabilly bit of new wave is already sounding a bit thin. Enjoyable enough, but not pulling up any trees.
Nice enough punk 'n' roll from the artist formerly known as Twitter.
Good original sound. I never heard this album before, but its a good precursor and original muse for the punk-pop of the late 80s. 4/5
"Wild Gift" by X is a punk rock classic that exudes energy and raw passion. Released in 1981, it's an album that encapsulates the spirit of the early Los Angeles punk scene. Tracks like "We're Desperate" and "White Girl" showcase the band's unique blend of punk, rockabilly, and poetic lyricism. The album's production is unpolished, which enhances its gritty and rebellious charm. Exene Cervenka and John Doe's vocal interplay adds depth and dimension to the songs, and Billy Zoom's distinctive guitar work gives the album its signature sound. "Wild Gift" is a testament to X's songwriting prowess and their ability to inject social commentary into their music without sacrificing the raw energy of punk. While it might not have received the same mainstream recognition as some of their peers, it remains a cult classic and an essential album for anyone exploring the roots of punk rock. With its rebellious spirit and infectious melodies, "Wild Gift" deserves its place in the pantheon of punk rock greats.
3.5/5
I knew this band back in the day and still have one of their albums in my vinyl cellar. MG likely introduced me to them. I really enjoyed their style, energy and attitude back in the day. It would probably be harder to like if I were listening to them for the first time in 2023 and my rating is for old times' sake.
They have boundless energy in a Ramones-meets-B52s kinda way, and I did just say, (in the Gun Club review a few days ago) that X was my favourite LA post-punk band. I think their song writing improved over the next few years, but the punk purists who rate this album highly would argue that its raw and gritty spirit make it more of a must-have LP.
This is from the early 80s so they can be forgiven for sounding like most of the typical post punk groups of that era like the Ramones, B52s and Blondie. Most of this album is pretty inoffensive, straight-ahead punk inspired pop. Its not very memorable so I probably will never seek it out though.
2/5. It’s not that this album is bad at all. But this type of punk is just not my preferred genre.
Ei toiminut päivän fiiliksessä ja pyöräilyn ohessa.
Ei puhutellu
Good fun as always though looking back at the last entry from X on this list I feel like their sound and sensibility developed a lot more sophistication even a couple years later on More Fun...
3.5
Raw-sounding early 80s punk record. It's fine, just not my jam. Universal Corner is the best track on this album.
Not too bad
pretty gooooood
I used to think I liked punk but honestly maybe I don't. Or maybe punk has to be catchy for me to like it. There's nothing wrong with this album it's just kinda dull and the vocals aren't good and the sound fails to leave an impact. I'm sure it's good in some artsy way but I have no desire to hear it again.
Honky-tonk punk! What’s not to like?
What a wild gift this w as. Really grew on you as you got used to shrill monotone female vocals. The music here is multilayered and interesting.
Punk rock assez soft. 6/10
I really like the sound that this blend of genres has and the energy of the music! My only complaint is the songs are kind of similar but I'd go back to this again
Enjoyed it.
Yuck
Blondie esque punk
This one hit me at just the right time, in just the right way. It's giving Punk, Rockabilly, and Bluesy. Loved it.
Never heard of them or a single song from this album before today. The punk-rockabilly was kinda cool.
definitely a punk rock album, reminds me of dead kennedys. it's well done, was fond of "in this house i call home" in particular but it's generally a consistent record.
C'est elon qui a choisi le nom du groupe ou quoi, j'ai pas raison la team ???
reveillee
4/5
The female vocalist (Exene) really makes this album for me. Her singing is terrible, but that’s exactly what this kind of music needs. John Doe can sing, and the combination of the two voices is just perfect. The lyrics are wonderfully clever/stupid. Great fun.
Not really my thing
Starts off with some rocking riffs and female vocals, then a gentler song - refreshingly beyond punk, then reverts to more punky territory via classic rock n roll and rockabilly. Good energy, good guitar playing, just not quite up there for me.
This is the first album of this challenge where I hadn't even heard of the band. This hits with an immediate gratifying vibe of straight forward punk rock. It sticks to and holds that vibe pretty consistently for the half hour of the album, with a few surprises in there like adult books, which gives some much needed variety to the album. It's not very original, but it's good at what it does. The two vocalists set it apart a bit, and occasionally you can hear some influences not usually found in the genre, but mostly it felt like straight forward punk rock to me. I've saved this to my 1001 albums playlist, thought I'm in two minds about how much I would enjoy returning to an album like this. I think I will, it was a fun listen and I'm glad to be introduced to it. 7/10
So fierce
Nice and punchy, kind of B52 vibes