Bustin' Out: The Post Punk Era 1979 – 1981
Released: 8th February 2010
A transitional and fiercely unique period in music, the Post Punk era is one that divides opinion more often than not. Sparse, bare and often very raw it certainly provided an antidote to the previous decade, as well as pioneering the use of the now common synthesiser. Bustin' Out proves to be an tidy compilation, showcasing the best of a pivotal era.
From the rather strange cover of “Fire” by the enimagtic Lizzy Mercier Desloux to Suicide Commando's simply odd “No More”, there is a lot to get used to. Strangers to the genre will no doubt recoil in fear, such offbeat and seemingly scrappy tracks taking a little adjusting to. Yet delve slightly deeper and there is plenty to appreciate.
Josef K's “Sorry For Laughing” is a particular highlight, it's relentless melody belying it's years in the light of modern music. Killing Joke also stand out, well aged despite the decades passed. “Almost Red” is dominated by an electro melody that would look at home amidst any chart track today, whilst spoken vocals add a quirky touch.
However it is the opportunity to witness Gary Numan at the start of his career that is perhaps the biggest treat. Playing under his Tubeway Army band name, “Replicas” is a sprawling, tense epic tinged with warm synths and an unerring drum beat. As an electronca pioneer, Numan impresses considerably with a melody that remains attractive and penetrative.
Bustin' Out will definitely not be to everyone's tastes, yet it's content is undeniably impressive and as important as any other. To create music after such a dominant decade is surely a challenge, but to create it with such vision and longevity is a different achievement in itself.
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