Buzzcocks - Singles Going Steady (1979)

Note: the CD I listened to was the 1992 CD release.

A simple enough formula for introducing a British pop-punk band to the US: compile their singles on one album with the A-sides on side A and corresponding B-sides on side B. Produced by Martin Rushent (Human League, Altered Images, The Stranglers), the 16 songs fly by in only 48 minutes and it's the perfect serving. Play loud.

In its 2020 list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, Rolling Stone ranked Singles Going Steady at #250, writing that the compilation "collects eight British 45s into a perfect punk album."

"With hindsight, the Buzzcocks' influence upon British 'indie-pop' of the late 80s ranks alongside that of the Ramones or the Velvet Underground."

Press of the time:

• Rolling Stone: "documents Shelley's development not only as a lyricist but a songwriter with a remarkable grasp of how a simply constructed melody or riff can drive his point home."
• Billboard: "the band plays very fast and is very intense, but the melodies, the tight harmonies, and the pop hooks are there."
• CashBox: "hook laden melodies that are layered over tight, adroit playing which embodies a creative freshness."
• Robert Christgau (A-): "their high-speed, high-register attack sounds powerful indeed."
• RPM Weekly: "The music is of the new wave persuasion, up-tempo tunes with infectious melodic hooks and strong lyrics."

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• CashBox: #166

Tracks: My top picks are What Do I Get? and Ever Fallen In Love? followed closely by Everybody's Happy Nowadays, Orgasm Addict, Just Lust, and Why Can't I Touch It?. Don't skip any tracks.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None