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 | 999Separates1978 United Artists 
 Review by: feeeding5000 See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
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 Published on November 20th 2005
What? No 999? Well, guess it’s up to me to write a review, then. Separates is the long-running punk band’s second album, and is arguably their best, and certainly their most famous.
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Another one of those records that went under the record companies knife... This was released in the UK in 1978 as 'Separates' but in the US it was released a year later as 'High Energy Plan' with a different track listing (most of the original album plus some UK single tracks. The Separates cover is terrible but HEV was much better). I give Separates a 7/10 and High Energy Plan a full 10/10!! With the changes HEP is a brilliant listen. If you buy the Captain Oi reissue, all the tracks from both albums are on it plus a couple more. But enough about that, what about the actual songs you say? Riding a punky new wave sound, 999 create a wicked blend of jangly, intense and moody tunes that were overly catchy and fully of different energies. Homicide is an all time classic. Brilliant guitar lines and perfectly executed. 999 were never a fast band and most of their songs are really midpaced and rely on hooks and good old fashioned songwriting. Lots of cool bass runs, jangly lead guitar lines and top notch drumming. Kind of reminiscent of the Jam at times. Some people are turned off by the vocal delivery but it's suitably fitting. Let's Face It is absolutely cutting and rocks. The same with Action, Out Of Reach and High Energy Plan. Even when they slow it down 999 never lose any of their energy. Brightest View is a perfect example. They formed in 1976 and unlike most of the original punks, they never broke up and are still playing to this day and releasing new material!! This is one of my all time favourite albums and quite the discovery for people who are not familiar with the band. For a better taste of what 999 is about search out their 'Emergency' cd, which is a killer collection of their best tunes re-recorded or pick up Separates and their first album. 999 is the fuckin shit. This is pretty good, I don't mind feeling alright with the crew but the other songs are all better, Subterfuge is right up there. If you're new to these guys get the Self-Titled first. They have a great song - 'Emergency' but most their catalogue reeks as bad as every vapors record. I'm sorry, but the band looks completly idiotic on the album cover Wow, Superdude, that was you? It probably got deleted because the Upstarts are still around and playing shows... The stuff they said in that interview was completely idiotic, but I bet they've had to apologize for it countless times since it was conducted... Oh yeah, my comment was by me. Anyone have any idea why someone's pretending to be Superdude in all the review comments? This review waspretty good, but here's how I would make it better: I read the Angelic Upstarts interview and it's really fucked up. I posted on the Upstarts guestbook asking Mensi to comment. Guess what happened? They removed my posting!?! I tried it again - same result. This band are great. And their clothes are also awesome. I have the self titled album from them. It's a fun listen every once and a while but it's nothing that really grabs me. I love 999. '77 punk owns all! Eh, I've never really been into 999. From what I understand, they jumped back and forth from punk / garage / new wave or whatever was popular at the time. Speaking of Teenage Warning, check out this old interview with Mensi of Angelic Upstarts. I was a fan for years until I read his racist comments here. |
