0414 - Another Music in a Different Kitchen

The Buzzcocks "Another Music in a Different Kitchen" (1978)

Viewed as one of the poppier bands of the initial punk movement, yet they definitely embraced the punk attitude.  The band refused to include the bulk of their 'hits' on the album... unlike the sex pistols who were happy enough to oblige with this.

The album largely consists of short, tight, energetic but melodically and emotionally open tracks, that would pave the way for 'feeling' pop-rock artists such as Morrisey and Damon Albarn.

The tracks are so full-on and brief that at one point I thought I'd reached the halfway mark on the album... when I checked, I realised that I was only 8 minutes into it! The tracks rarely make it too much past 2 minutes, but then just to be contrarian, the band finishes the album with a pounding 7 minute rocker "Moving away from the pulsing beat".

Day 0408 - Real Life

Magazine "Real Life" (1978)

Another ex-punker's "new band" (after having looked at Public Image Ltd yesterday), this time Howard Devoto who had just recently departed from the Buzzcocks.

Whereas John Lydon went more abrasive and confronting, Devoto added layers of melody, musicianship and quirkiness.

There are still hints of a punk identity to the music but it also suggests a more complex pop sound along the lines of a band like Sparks.