Zounds were an anarchist peace punk band on Crass' label in the late 70s. Knowing this, it may surprise you that Zounds are unlike anything you've ever heard before. They shared Crass' political views, but their sound blended punk and new-wave and their lyrics were much more subtle and haunting. They never appeared as angry but they certainly were. It took a different mindset to appreciate Zounds.
The cover art for The Curse Of Zounds has always been one of my favorites. It helps to own it because you need to look at the front side, then flip it over to the back. Simultaneously funny, smart and relevant, and we haven't even started the album yet. The cover sets the scene for the brilliance to come.
The first three songs all sound like Crass. "Can't Cheat Karma" one of their most recognizable songs and by far their most Crass-like, starts in typical anarcho fare with "1-2-3 Go, I've got an ego, it won't let me go, what am I gonna do?" The three songs do a good job of conveying the hopelessness of wishing for change out of the government. My best guess is that after recording three songs, Zounds proved themselves they could write Crass just as well as Crass could, and decided to be their own thing.
This is where the record really gets good. "Demystification" sounds nearly dream-like and vocalist Steve Lake delivers his cryptic lyrics in a sort of mumble, demanding "demystification about what's going on". The line "I'm not looking for escapism, I just want to escape" always makes me think.
"Fear" is about the fear of the unknown. The chorus "Fear can be a bum thing, a silly and a dumb thing. Fear can be the one thing that keeps us all apart" sticks in your head, reminding you that there is always something to fear.
"Did He Jump" starts off a tale about a suicidal boy who either jumped or was pushed off a ledge. No one knows, and it's because no one bothered to read his note. This is really chilling stuff. The song goes on for eight minutes, and at about the 5 minute mark it switches to the boy's perspective. He hears his parents tell him "Don't speak now, we are talking. Not a word less you disgrace. There's people listening, don't embarrass us, and never let us catch you masturbate." From here the song speeds up and continues on the route of being one of the saddest songs I've ever heard. This song is a masterpiece, one of the highest points in an album full of high points.
Every song conveys its own emotion. "New Band" is a critique, noting how there's a "new band every week", a "new way to make you spend". "Dirty Squatters" describes the squatting scene (of which Zounds were a part of) from the perspective of someone who is disgusted about living next door to a squatter. It's obvious Zounds received some backlash and wrote a song about it. "Dancing" sounds psychedelic and is one of the album's more mesmerizing songs. "True Love" is about how love in real life isn't as simple as it in on the radio. It's amazing how much emotion and personality is packed into these songs that are at the same time political.
"Knife" is another highlight. The song is very twangy and it'll have you singing the chorus by the end of it. It's about self-identity and I believe anyone can relate to it. "Sometimes I think I'll go and get a knife, and cut all my clothes down into rags. Sometimes I think I'll take a holiday from wearing my opinions like a badge." One of their more ambitious songs. Afterwards comes "Biafra" which is one of the catchiest songs on the album.
The album closes with "Wolves", which is angry and confusing. Halfway in Lake starts screaming and the sound drowns out for about a second. Whether intentional or not, it produces a great lo-fi effect.
Why this album isn't regarded as an essential is beyond me. If it were up to me, Zounds would be the definitive anarcho band and The Curse Of Zounds a punk classic. No matter who you are, whatever you listen to, The Curse Of Zounds will speak to you in some way. It may make you cry, it may make you hate everyone, but it will effect you. Punk doesn't get much better than this.