Buzzcocks

Another Music in a Different Kitchen/ Love Bites/ A Different kind of Tension EMI ****

The Buzzcocks in their early days. Photograph:  Fin Costello/Redferns
The Buzzcocks in their early days. Photograph:  Fin Costello/Redferns

Another Music in a Different Kitchen/ Love Bites/ A Different kind of TensionEMI ****

It's far too easy to throw around phrases like "punk rock masterpieces", but when it comes to this Bolton/Manchester band, that's exactly what we're talking about. These three albums, originally released across 1978/'79 and reissued here with exhaustive gubbins (singles, demos, live shows) showcases not just the brevity of Buzzcocks' early career (1976-81), but how brilliant they were at fusing the bullet-train energy of punk with eminently tuneful pop. Slow most of the songs down and you have inherent melody; lubricate them with punk rock grease and you have a slew of tunes (including You Say You Don't Love Me, Fast Cars, What Do I Get?, Fiction Romance, Love You More and the ad-sync perennial Ever Fallen in Love) that effortlessly stand the test of time. buzzcocks.com

Download:Fast Cars, What Do I Get?, Love You More, Ever Fallen In Love

Tony Clayton-Lea

Tony Clayton-Lea

Tony Clayton-Lea is a contributor to The Irish Times specialising in popular culture