This month marks the end of my six year run at Pure Pop. I’m moving to San Francisco where I will most likely move in with my recently-widowed best friend and his brother-in-law to help him raise his three adorably precocious daughters.

I got my first music-retail job fourteen years ago and the majority of my time since then has been spent in this wonderful business. It’s bitter-sweet to be leaving the game. If you’ll indulge me, I’d like to submit one-last rambling “Pop Five” for this website:

The 5 Things I’ll Miss Most About Music Retail

1. The Pipeline -

Through this work I have been exposed to countless bands and albums I’ve come to cherish. Many were recommended by coworkers. Often, a visible interest by our customers has brought something to my attention. Other times I’ve simply taken a chance on something that looks interesting. The sum result is that on what feels like a daily basis this job has consistently provided me with the joy of musical discovery.

2. There Are No Standards of Appearance at a Record Store -

Don’t feel like shaving for a couple of weeks? Is your hair matted and greasy? Do you dress in clothes most people wouldn’t lower themselves to wear if they were painting their house? Music retail is for you. The only time I ever got shit for my outfit at Pure Pop was when I wore a ratty button-down I came to find bore a striking resemblance to the “puffy shirt” of Seinfeld fame.

3. I Believe in Music -

I don’t think it’s cynical to say a lot of people don’t love their jobs. For most of us, it’s a means to an end. I’ve had plenty of jobs that have left me unfulfilled, unstimulated and a little guilt-ridden. For example, I spent a summer working a movie concession stand and felt awful selling buckets of value-less popcorn to obese people for way too much money. At Pure Pop, I believe our product has value, and I’ve been proud to sell it.

4. The Customers -

It would be disingenuous to suggest that every person who walks through the door at Pure Pop is an expert conversationalist with immaculate taste in music, but by and large the people who walk through our door are an intelligent, agreeable and discerning bunch. I’ve struck up more conversations with strangers here than I’ve had hot meals. Pure Pop customer base, you will be missed.

Not pictured: Our customers

5. My Coworkers -

I’m not one for sentimentality and neither are my coworkers, but dammit, they are a lovable bunch. Pure Pop has its share of slow periods, and thanks to the kind of company our staff provides, what would otherwise be unbearable is rendered as pleasant as most social activities. I’m really gonna miss those fuckers.

I think I’m gonna let Roky Erickson take me out with a song that’s more melancholy than the situation merits.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BosCo9tEHlw

The BP Gulf Disaster is at the forefront of our minds at the moment. It has been inspiring a multitude of thoughts and emotions, none of which are pleasant. Lurking amongst the despair, fear and uncertainty is a considerable amount of anger towards BP and their ilk: all-powerful corporations that don’t think twice about jeopardizing the global ecology in pursuit of wealth. Grrrr!! Well fuck them. Here are some songs that we feel capture that sentiment:

The Kinks -- “Powerman”

Lyric Excerpt:

And he’s got my money

But I’ve got my faith

Powerman, Powerman

I’ll never be your slave

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI6On0nGrxk

Super Furry Animals -- “The Man Don’t Give a Fuck”

Lyric Excerpt:

You know they don’t give a fuck about anybody else

You know they don’t give a fuck about anybody else

You know they don’t give a fuck about anybody else

You know they don’t give a fuck about anybody else

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzHLTy33qWM

Jarvis Cocker -- Cunts are Still Running the World

Lyric Excerpt:

If you though things had changed

Friend, You better think again

Bluntly put in the fewest of words

Cunts are still running the world

www.youtube.com/watch?v=monyiOsoKxg

Style Council -- Money Go Round

Lyric Excerpt:

They’re too busy spending on the means of destruction

To ever spend a penny on some real construction

www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7Bq9YdDVc8

Killing Joke -- Age of Greed

Lyric Excerpt:

Money property assets before lives

Green gestures of a dying planet

An endless debate only too late

An appetite for gluttony

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGFObDmqLmk

Napalm Death -- Multinational Corporations

Lyric Excerpt:

Multinational Corporations

Genocide of the starving nations

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcGd_2PorM0

Gang of Four -- Life, It’s a Shame

Lyric Excerpt:

Life!

Making money is making sense

Making money is making sense

It’s a shame

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLmHH5Fyq2w

Sparks -- Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth

Lyric Excerpt

I’ll admit I was unfaithful

But from now I’ll be more faithful

Never turn your back on Mother Earth

www.youtube.com/watch?v=haf5s0b--zw

Some may see it as a creatively bankrupt practice but puns in album titles delight me, particularly puns built out of artists names. If I ever come out with an album, I’ll probably call it, “Herb Today, Gone Tomorrow” or some such nonsense. If you’re looking for a cheap way to entertain yourself and some friends, come up with hypothetical punned-name album titles for everyone in the room. It’s not a contest. Everyone’s a winner.

Let’s take a look at some classic examples and consider their degree of success.

1. Ozzy Osbourne – “Ozzmosis”

This is a good place to start because what we have here is a pun that doesn’t really work. The problem? Ozzy’s making a pun out of a dry, scientific term. It doesn’t really provoke an emotional response or visual association. What if Connor Oberst released an album and called it “Connorvalescence?” Pretty lame, right?

2. Justin Timberlake – “Justified”

JT really rides the line here. I dare say if the man wasn’t so darn cool, this pun would come off as pretty lame.  The only bad idea this man’s charisma hasn’t been able to redeem is his performance in The Love Guru. (More like The Loathe Guru. Right?)

3. Greg Kihn – Kihnspiracy

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Greg Kihn, the most prolific punner-of-one’s-own-name in existence. Some highlights from his discography include, “Next of Kihn,” “Rockihnroll,” “Kihntinued,” “Kihntagious,” “Citizen Kihn,” “Unkihntrollable,” “Kihn of Hearts” and “True Kihnfessions.” Mr. Kihn, we at the Pure Pop Blog salute you.

4. Miles Davis – “Milestones”

Like JT’s Justified, this pun doesn’t call attention to itself with unconventional spelling. It’s innocuous, but it works. What a shame Miles Davis didn’t pun his name more often, “Miles” has such puntential.

5. George Strait – “Strait from the Heart”

God bless him. This is not my kind of music, and the cover is nothing short of abysmal, but “Strait from the Heart” is as good as punned-name album titles get. Greg Kihn would be proud. (Or jealous.) This really makes me wish my last name was Strait. Curse my heritage.

Phil Collins -- Flaming Youth

Claim to Fame - Phil Collins is currently shorthand for soulless mainstream garbage but he used to be pretty cool. He’s a first rate drummer who’s elevated many classic albums with his contributions and he revolutionized the way we feel about things coming in the air at night. His first high-profile gig was drumming for Genesis, a band he would go on to lead into the upper stratosphere of musical success.

Before All That - Collins was the drummer for Flaming Youth, a pastoral rock quartet who to be fair weren’t all that bad. They never really went anywhere, prompting the young and eager musician to pursue other projects. How much does this video remind you of Spinal Tap playing “Gimme Some Money?”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fj9JZhG8s4

Tori Amos -- Y Kant Tori Read

Claim to Fame - While she might not sell the most albums, Tori Amos has one of the most intense fan-bases in music. Multiply a Juggalo by a Bieber-Head and you’re getting there.

Since the 1990′s Tori Amos has been worshiped like a goddess. What about her resonates so strongly with people? I can’t really say, but Little Earthquakes is an awesome album, and despite what the pictured-above tattoo and soon-to-follow video indicate, she’s pretty foxy.

Before All That - Odds are, if you know Tori Amos, you’re familiar with Y Kant Tori Read. YKTR was Tori’s band in the 1980′s. If you’re not familiar with them, their style was generic, shitty synth pop. Please note, Tori has redeemed herself a thousand times over for Y Kant Tori Read. That said, check out this hilariously awful video. What porno movie script did they steal that intro from?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzTNhdO0elM

Billy Joel -- Atilla

Claim to Fame - Being Billy Joel. Much like the previously mentioned Phil Collins, Billy Joel is a towering icon of popular music who is both celebrated and reviled for his ability to write to the masses. Love him or hate him, the man can churn out pop hooks with an uncanny ease.

Before All That - In the late ’60s, when dinosaurs roamed the earth and people still listened to cd’s, Billy Joel was in a pseudo prog/heavy metal band called Atilla. (Get it? As in the Hun!) Atilla have a reputation for being terrible, but I have to say I just find them a little indulgent. It is nonetheless ridiculous enough to be featured on this list.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLuiVJBZyVM

Ricky Gervais -- Seona Dancing

Claim to Fame - The only non-musician on this list, Ricky Gervais’s first success was managing popular brit-pop band Suede early in their career. A few years later he would produce one of the most successful television programs of all-time, The Office. Ever hear of it, or perhaps one of it’s five remakes? Here’s a clip from the Chilean version:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqDhRZhZvZw

Before All That -- In the 80′s, when a lot of these career false starts seem to take place, Gervais was in a synth-pop band called Seona Dancing. Whereas Y Kant Tori Read was sort of Madonna meets Kate Bush synth pop, Seona Dancing is more Depeche Mode meets David Bowie synth pop. It’s really not that bad, it’s just terribly funny in context. If you haven’t seen it, you are welcome:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXhSqmfRTfY

Bjork -- Bjork Gudmunsdottir

Claim to Fame - Bjork is one of Rock’s most beloved eccentrics. Always a few steps ahead of her fans, she’s as known (and adored) for her music as her unexpected and bizarre acts, like when she wore a swan dress to the 2001 Academy Awards.

She’s also an actress, a patron of the arts, and the world’s most famous Icelander with the possible exception of Ragnar Bragason. (Just kidding. Sorry Ragnar.)

Before All That - Bjork’s talent emerged at an early age. When the poor thing was eight-ish, she recorded an album of mostly covers sung in her native tongue. This album is of absolutely no interest to anyone. Do not seek it out. There is no pleasure to be derived from listening to it. Here is its version of “Fool on the Hill,” in case you don’t believe me:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=no_G6Qyo04k

The following is a hypothetical conversation between Saul Hudson a.k.a. Slash and whatever visionary designed the cover for his first proper solo album, “Slash.” In this fantasy, we’ll call said designer, “Dufus Jones.”

The scene: A smokey bar. It’s name is probably a crass pun. Presumably, there’s a female silhouette accompanying its name on the neon sign that rests above the bar’s entrance. Saul Hudson, out-of-touch guitar icon, sips a diet soda. He sits across from Dufus Jones, a mid-thirties graphic designer who’s greatest success is a poster identifying various kinds of farts. They are discussing the cover for Saul’s upcoming album.

Dufus: (Nervously) Mr. Hudson. This album is going to be huge. Do you know how long your fanbase has been waiting to hear you collaborate with Fergie?

Saul Hudson: (Cool as ice) Call me Saul.

Dufus: Sure thing Saul.

Saul Hudson: (Irritated.) I mean Slash. Call me Slash.

Dufus: Erm… Sure thing Mr. Slash.

Saul Hudson: Just Slash. (For a moment Saul Hudson pulls down his glasses. He does this for effect, just like Axl did, so many years ago…)

Dufus: (Clears throat) Well, as I was saying, Slash, this album is epic. People are going to hear this and be all, “Guns N’ Who? Velvet Revolv-what?”

Saul Hudson: (Laughs gruffly. For a man who often is told what he wants to hear, he has not grown tired of it.)

Dufus: (Continues) Now, what you need to accompany an album like this is a killer cover. I’m talking more epic than the first Slash’s Snakepit album.

Saul Hudson: (Holds up his empty soda glass. A Publicist Dufus hadn’t even noticed is there in moments with a fresh one. Saul takes a pull before offering his considered reply.) More epic than the cover of “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere?” Have you seen that cover? It’s a snake, coiled around a bone in such a way that they together make a dollar sign. It’s wearing my hat, and smoking. That, my friend, is the snowy peak of epic.

Dufus: (He was expecting this.) Slash, you and I know that cover hasn’t been topped. With all due respect, I think we can.

Saul Hudson: I’m listening.

Dufus: Close your eyes. (He waits while Saul obliges.) When I say Rock n’ Roll, what’s the first image that pops into your head?

Saul Hudson: (Irritated) Why are you wasting my time?

Dufus: Indulge me. Answer the question.

Saul Hudson: A skull and crossbones, obviously.

Dufus: Exactly. Now picture this; it’s wearing your hat. (He sits back. He knows he’s landed his pitch.)

Saul Hudson: (Slash’s eyes go wide. He hasn’t felt this inspired since Axl first played him “Estranged.”) YES! A skull and crossbones wearing my hat! But the ends of the bones aren’t shaped like normal bones, they look like guitar bodies!

Dufus: (Surprised by such a brilliant idea) …but only sort of like guitar bodies! You wouldn’t notice at first, because they’re not particularly well drawn!

Saul Hudson: …and there’s way too much going on in the image to focus on anything initially! Like a garish monochromatic paisley background…

Dufus: (finishing Slash’s thought) …and an amateur looking font that’s hard to read and screams, “My concept of rock and roll comes from the biker bar scene in Terminator 2!”

Saul Hudson: (A tear forms in his eye. He can picture it.) It’s beautiful. It’s perfect.

Dufus: Not yet.

Saul Hudson: (Scanning the image in his mind.) What have I missed?

Dufus: (coyly) Oh… I don’t know. Maybe a banner below the skull that says, “R & F N’ R.”

Saul Hudson: As in “rock and fucking roll?” (Slash stands and claps.) You my friend, have a bright future.

Dufus: Oh, and there should be something in the skull’s right eye that you can’t even tell what it is.

End Scene

As most of you well know, the internet is host to a seemingly infinite number of semi-literate and wholly-baffling opinions. (See this website for several examples.) Perhaps the greatest concentration of these can be found at the retail monolith amazon.com, where customer reviews defy the laws of grammar and logic more often than not. Let’s examine a few of the different ways we can enjoy the dubious meditations of amazon critics. All reviews are quoted exactly, typos and all, except when personal information has been censored.

1. One Star Reviews of Albums Commonly Accepted as “Great”

…on “Rubber Soul” by The Beatles

“Okay, let’s get it straight! I listen to this CD from the Florissant Valley County Library only once because ALL of the songs are totally BORING! I don’t think I’ll buy this CD…maybe………………………MY E-MAIL ADRESS IS thebeatlesfan*****@yahoo.com”

-This woman thinks Rubber Soul is a one-star album, yet her email address begins with “the beatles fan.” Also, she seems undecided on buying it, despite assigning it such a low score.

“This is nowhere near the finest album ever recorded. I’d say somewhere between #100 & #200. I have heard local bands do better than songs like this.”

-You know, even being on the low end of the top 200 hundred albums of all time would be quite an honor.

“Ok…but i prefer Jim Nabors…his voice and styling is superior to the Beatles…and a much better actor..”

-Unfortunately, few artists stand up to the “Jim Nabors Litmus Test.” People looking for a quick grammar lesson take note, this is exactly how to use ellipses.

…on “Kind of Blue” by Miles Davis

“This is one of the worst albums I’ve ever bought. It’s so boring and lifeless. Good to fall asleep to.”

-Who doesn’t fall asleep to albums they otherwise despise?

“C’mon, this stuff is a drag! If you have to ‘acquire’ a taste for this stuff, then it hasn’t hit you right off, which is what great music does. No waiting for the effect….great music says HELLO!!!…..not….Shhhhh…..it’s time for sleep! One reviewer compared this to Dark Side of the Moon, but at least on DSOTM, Pink Floyd had the sense to add the alarm clocks to stir you. Closing time music for the droll and lifeless. One star out of pity!!!”

-If Kind of Blue had alarm clock noises, it would certainly be a better album. Well said.

2. Five Star Reviews of Albums Commonly Accepted as “Terrible”

…on “Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water” by Limp Bizkit

“If you like limp bizkit you will love this cd even if you don’t you will like some of the songs. if you like there mello stuff then you will love hold on or boiler. and if you are a true hardcore limp fan like me then you will love their whole cd.”

-This is actually a fair point. I’m simply amused that the possessive form of they is attempted twice and successfully executed once.

“I’m a long time fan of limp bizkit I have been awating this cd For ever. I’m so happy it is fimaly out. I found that in each of limp bizkits Cd they have a different stly. this one is slofter but more swairing witch is cool. The last one was more rap and the first ws more hard rock. I love the track livin it up.”

-Yep. Pretty much says it all.

…on “All or Nothing” by Milli Vanilli

“This group was still awesome to me after I found out that they were not singing. They still brought the style and dance to the songs which is what made them sell. I still love this CD and I will always listen to it.”

-But will you always dance to it?

“Indeed, the entire Milli Vanilli front-show was a facade. However, after 10 years, the music is still cutting edge. I believe it still will be in another decade.

From the stompin’ “Girl You Know it’s True” to the tender ‘I Gonna Miss You’, the album is exceptional.

I suggest you listen for yourself and relive the late 80′s with a new perspective on dance music.”

-This guy describes the album as both “stompin” and “tender.” Coincidentally, you can make things tender by stomping on them.

3. Reviews that support your out-of-step opinion

…on “Drama” by Yes (which I love)

“This album has more in common with the nine years prior to it than anything the band has done since. It has all of the harmonic and rhythmic complexity, the amazing energy and musicianship of any of the their best work. If you love 70′s prog, buy this album.”

-Amen, brother.

” ‘Drama’ is often overlooked and denegraded because of the absence of Anderson & Wakeman. Oh boo hoo ! ‘Drama’ ROCKS and stands on its own as a gem among the Yes discography. There is not a single bad moment on “Drama” with all 6 songs delivering the goods. The bonus tracks are OK, but nothing spectacular. The Roger Dean cover art has to be one of the all time best. You can find this disc at a nice price and you cannot go wrong with this selection unless you were expecting a ‘dramatic’ reading of Hamlet”

-Word

…on “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” by Wilco (which I don’t care for)

“Yuck. There’s no other way to describe this pile of garbage. If this is what I have to look forward to from Wilco from now on they might as well throw in the towel now while they still have some dignity left and leave us with the other outstanding albums they’ve done like Being There.”

-Giggle

“I bought this CD after reading all the great reviews and hearing all the hype about it. Ever since, I’ve been listening to it over and over, trying to figure out what people find so great about it. I’d advise you to download some of the songs first and decide for yourself. Like another reviewer said, don’t buy into the hype.”

-A more tempered opinion.

1. Gregory Isaacs “Night Nurse”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyEP_st9csI

A classy start.

2. Phish “Down With Disease”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNt1IdNEJ-c

The local heroes take a stand against disease.

3. Alien Sex Fiend “Here Cum Germs”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohYp1C14Dp8

Is being a sex fiend covered under the new plan?

4. Deltron 3030 “Virus”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijPE7fe4XTg

Animated persons are low-risk for skin disease.

5. La Lupe “Fever”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=L90npLTtipU

One of hundreds of versions of this song.

6. Eels “Cancer for the Cure”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5KuI7ZJyhQ

The only version of this song.

7. Roxy Music “Love is the Drug”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIR1jLbWiz0

Was Bryan Ferry’s eye-patch covered by his insurer?

8. Spiritualized “Medication”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhKGiFZWCYc

Drugs may be bad, but you can thank them for this song.

9. Smiths “Still Ill”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxZo5UODCCg

Morrissey gave Johnny Marr a rash.

10. Thompson Twins “Doctor Doctor”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpquwTW5CKs

A doctor for each twin.

Have you ever seen a movie you didn’t enjoy, but for one reason or another you still found it commendable? Maybe it had a great performance or perhaps it highlighted a social issue in a way that you liked.

Have you ever known someone who you found insufferably boring, but you liked them anyway, perhaps because of their integrity or because they drive a nice car?

How about with music? I’ve sure experienced this. Here’s a list of bands and artists whose music I don’t enjoy but nonetheless meet with my approval.

Frank Zappa

I don’t care for his music because: Frank Zappa is without question a first-rate composer and performer. Nonetheless, his subversive approach to writing music leaves me cold. It’s perhaps unreasonable to entirely dismiss someone with such a massive catalog, but by and large I don’t enjoy the man’s music when I hear it.

He gets a pass because: Zappa’s autobiography, The Real Frank Zappa Book, is one of the best books I’ve ever read. Also, he wrote the theme song to Duckman and very nearly collaborated with the Mystery Science Theater 3000 folks. Also, this amazingness:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ISil7IHzxc

If I had to listen to an album: Cruising with Ruben & The Jets. Definitely.

Eric Clapton

I don’t care for his music because: Eric Clapton is one of the most successful solo artists in all of rock n’ roll. This is in no small part due to the man’s massive talent, but it’s also because most of what he does is extremely safe, middle-of-the-road blues rock. If that’s your bag, god bless you, but I find it sterile.

He gets a pass because: Eric Clapton relentlessly promotes fellow musicians. In the last decade alone, he’s released albums co-billed with B.B. King and J.J. Cale as well as co-headlined tours with the likes of Jeff Beck and Steve Winwood. Granted, these other artists are fairly well-known in their own right, but they get an undeniable boost when they’re working with The Clap’.

If I had to listen to an album: The Derek & The Dominoes album is great and I enjoy quite regularly. As far as solo stuff goes, uhm…  one of the early ones?

Green Day

I don’t care for their music because: Green Day’s brand of stadium pop-punk is a bit too re-heated for me. Sure, when I was 13 their music was a revelation. Dookie was the soundtrack to my being in the seventh grade. Being older, Green Day just don’t strike me as a band that transcend their influences in any satisfying way. They’re way too produced for their style of music and the songs don’t say anything to me.

They get a pass because: When their latest album came out, Green Day refused to offer a censored version of the album, ensuring Wal-Mart wouldn’t carry it. As anemic as I find their music these days, I admire their taking a stand and I wish more bands would do the same.

If I had to listen to an album: Probably Insomniac, for the nostalgia.

Coldplay

I don’t care for their music because: As the always quotable Casey Rea one told me, Coldplay are Radiohead for soccer moms. They aspire to be the biggest band in the world. The consequence of making sure you are inoffensive to all pallets, however, is that you become flavorless.

They get a pass because: Chris Martin’s appearance as himself on Extras was savagely self-deprecating and performed with a surprising comic panache.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJmtJGPd7Qk

If I had to listen to an album: Probably the most recent, what with it’s Eno presence and all.

Beloved virtual-band Gorillaz return this week with their first album since 2005′s Demon Days. Having previously relegated production duties to top-shelf talents like Dan the Automater and Danger Mouse, Gorillaz boldly do it for themselves this go-round. Frightened? Fear not. With Plastic Beach, the band demonstrate they are fully capable of producing the kinds of diverse, eclectic and infectious soundscapes they are known for.

Gorillaz are also known for their collaborations with guest musicians. In this respect, Plastic Beach does not come up short. There’s a little something for everybody here; from high-profile MC’s like Snoop Dogg and Mos Def to icons like Bobby Womack and Lou Reed. By and large, everyone’s bringing their A-game. On “Some Kind of Nature,” it’s thrilling to hear Reed sing with a bit of youthful energy for the first time in decades. Grime MC’s Kano and Bashy are delightful on “White Flag.” “Superfast Jellyfish” offers the head-scratching pairing of De La Soul with The Super Furry Animals’ Gruff Rhys in an album highpoint. A handful of so-so performances aside (Mark E. Smith, I’m looking at you), Plastic Beach’s guests deliver on the promise of their pedigree.

Damon Albarn, the band’s mastermind, is in fine form as well. One need only listen to the sublime “Rhinestone Eyes” for evidence that Albarn is up to the task of carrying a song without assistance. It’s difficult to offer praise for the rest of the band because I’m not entirely clear on who’s doing what for Gorillaz these days. Whoever these unsung heroes may be, they do nice work.

Plastic Beach has a few faltering tracks, and the band’s sound is a little less striking than it was ten years ago when their genre-hopping style was less commonplace. Nonetheless, Plastic Beach is a worthy successor to Demon Days and one of 2010′s best releases so far. If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the video for the album’s first single, “Stylo.” It’s fantastic. (Unfortunately we can’t embed it.)

This month sees the reissuing of the Buzzcocks’ first three albums in comprehensive two-disc sets from Mute Records. Even though I’ve yet to hear the quality of their mastering, I’m going to call this good news on faith. All three albums are wonderful. The Buzzcocks legacy may be dwarfed by some of their peers like The Clash or The Sex Pistols, but their output is as good as anything in the 70′s British Punk canon.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sprs4rml2gY

Another Music in a Different Kitchen, their debut, is also their third best. This is only in light of the excellence of the subsequent albums and is not to say Another Music isn’t worthy of your time. Tracks like “Fast Cars” and “Autonomy” are among the band’s greatest. This is a brisk and consistent collection of quality punk songs.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkF50iY2nDs

Love Bites, my favorite Buzzcocks record, came out six months later. The band didn’t revolutionize their approach with this album, but they sure refined it. The music on Love Bites is fantastic and the lyrics are inspired, anti-love tirades. One of the catalysts for the punk rock movement was the need for an antidote to the glutenous, over-wrought popular music of the time. The way Love Bites subverts the cliched sentiments of conventional pop music is delightful and just a bit devilish.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=foSC0rujhwQ

The Buzzcocks third album (which would be followed by an extended hiatus and irregular appearances of forgettable albums) was A Different Kind of Tension, released a mere year and a half after their debut. A Different Kind of Tension, though a bit uneven, finds the Buzzcocks in an ambitious and exploratory mood. Tracks like “Paradise” and “I Don’t Know What To Do With My Life” wouldn’t be out of place on either of the previous albums, but others, like the deceptively sweet “You Say You Don’t Love Me” and the sprawling, album-highlight “I Believe,” push the boundaries of the band’s sound in exciting directions.

These two-disc sets retail at $16.97, which is a heck of a price. Anyone with the slightest interest in punk owes it to his or herself to look into these seminal albums.