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Buzzcocks

Buzzcocks
2003
Merge

Buzzcocks - Buzzcocks (Cover Artwork)


Review by: Adam
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Published on April 15th 2003

I still listen to this record with disbelief.

While the Buzzcocks have released several new studio albums since their reformation in 1989, none of them managed to stand up to the sheer brilliance of the material collected on `79s “Singles Going Steady.” By all conventional logic, the Buzzcocks were supposed to live out their years as a live act that plays old favourites to nostalgic, if not increasingly disinterested crowds. They weren’t supposed unassumingly enter the studio and produce anything as exciting as their early singles.

They sure as hell were not supposed to actually grow and progress on it.

”Buzzcocks” is an incredibly solid record. I’ll agree with other reviews I’ve read and say this album is self-titled to signify a band reborn. It’s absolutely unprecedented for any group to release something 27 years after their debut that actually displays a progression in song writing and style. Once again it seems that Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle are on fire.

This year’s model Buzzcocks lacks some of the jangle and spastic nervousness of the band that wrote “Orgasm Addict,” but filling that void is a charging, full sound and a very fitting density. The lead single “Jerk” brings back Shelley’s laments on damaged relationships, recast in more adult terms that carry surprising weight. One of the charms of “Buzzcocks” is that it brings back that sorely missed British punk snarl, especially on tracks like “Lester Sands” or “Useless.” To it’s infinite benefit this sound is made all more believable by very mature lyricism and musicianship that never once shows the band trying to relieve their youth. Age is a funny thing with this record, as an act whose main songwriters must be pushing 50 rocks harder than bands half their age.

Of particular note is the collaboration with founding band member Howard Devoto, who shares a co-writing credit with Shelley on “Stars” and “Lester Sands.” The former being one of the albums most vicious tracks that matches up a huge guitar sound with incredibly clever lyricism. Diggle’s melodic “Sick City Sometimes” is a (relatively) more sombre track that provides a perfect counterpoint to the album’s more scathing attacks. “Keep On” has one of the most catchy and well-executed chorus’ in recent memory. “Friends” does the same with verses that will be stuck in your head for weeks.

Quite simply, this is one of the best records of 2003. Any flaws seem transparent to me, especially when compared to the brilliance that shines through on so many of the songs. “Buzzcocks” is easily the most accomplished recording the band has made since “Singles Going Steady” more than 20 years ago.



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    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 23, 2005 at 7:18 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i love it!

    Posted by mrwaffles on 2003-10-14 12:40:20
    My Score:

    good album, but i always perfered "Singles Going Steady" more.

    Best band name ever.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 19, 2003 at 10:09 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    "Buzzcocks are a great band and i like every single album they have put out and they make me wanna hit my head on stuff really hard just beacause i like them so much."

    Way to give away the fact that you've never heard of them... Yeah, great "sk8ting music"... This album, though, is definitely their best post-reunion album. Much better than the one before it.

    Posted by RaNcIdPuNx on 2003-04-19 01:46:01
    My Score:

    Ok sorry guys about before its time for the real review. Buzzcocks are a great band and i like every single album they have put out and they make me wanna hit my head on stuff really hard just beacause i like them so much. I think i may even buy the box set. I think they are good to sk8 to also.

    -RaNcId PuNx

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 17, 2003 at 7:42 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Happy birthday pete shelley!

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 17, 2003 at 12:24 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I think the rancid punx weirdo guy is just wuss emo rock's new persona, and kudos to this guy whoever he is, he's funny

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 at 5:32 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    it's depressing how people actually respond to pathetic trolls like the rancidpunx kid. don't bother, it's just some "d00d" trying to impress his "p33pZ" by pissing you all off.

    oh yeah, the buzzcocks rule. "everybody's happy nowadays" sounds like the strokes 25 years before the strokes got hyped. the 'cocks defined everything worth liking about pop-punk.

    -MorphineSandwich

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 at 4:31 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Does RancidPunx work for Hellcat? This one album by the Buzzcocks is better than anyting Tim's label has ever put out.

    Posted by Mikeshitter on 2003-04-16 16:01:44
    My Score:

    That Rancidpunx guy slays me.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 at 2:29 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Dont waste your money on these assholes~!!! If you want real
    music than go buy a Rancid CD,
    all the Rancid CDs are good so
    you cant go wrong!!!!

    -RaNcId PuNx

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 at 4:20 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    My personal favorite album by them is their first... The E.P. is brilliant too, though. And they never got more pop than punk. In fact, compared to other British bands that influenced American bands, these guys are incredibly underrated. If you listen to their early stuff, you can hear how much these guys influenced pop punk bands like NoFX.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 at 3:14 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    this album totally rules. I knew these guys were old, and i thought this might have been a re-issue of their older stuff, but after reading this review i found out other wise. HOW DID THE DO IT. this shit owns my CD player. Sick City Sometimes. All the time.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 at 2:52 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    What about Spiral Scratch EP - their first...?
    -Janelle

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 at 12:36 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    How old are these guys? Still good though

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 at 8:22 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Best Buzzcocks CD to get is the reissued Time's Up. Good old DIY days before they got more pop than punk.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 at 7:58 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Awesome. Good to hear. I wasn't really giving too much thought to this album, but Adam, you have convinced me to check this out.
    -Janelle

    Posted by AnaMorph0sIs on 2003-04-15 05:40:09
    My Score:

    Sounds promising. I'll be seeing these lads in May, looking forward to it. :)

    Posted by CallingLondon on 2003-04-15 02:25:54
    My Score:

    sounds cool. i think i'll be listening to this very soon.

    you mentioned that it's pretty unheard of for bands to progress in songwriting so long after their formation. what about the new costello album? i thought that did just that, too, and it's great.

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