Ed ecco che ci pensa il vostro punkettone di (s)fiducia a recensirvi una bellissima raccolta di un grandissimo gruppo, alla faccia di chi si intestardisce a recensire album dei quali ormai si sa davvero tutto. Il disco in questione ha forti tendenze pop, ma pop di quello sano, e non malato come quello che ci propone mamma mtv 24 fottute ore al giorno, è un pop penetrato da un punk che rende il tutto un mix davvero irresistibile, sono i Beatles che incontrano gli Stooges e utilizzano quella attitudine che si era venuta a creare alla fine degli anni 70 creata da quel puzzone di Rotten e compagnia bella.
I Buzzcocks sono originari di Manchester, e si formano all'inizio del 76, erano il lato melodico della prima ondata di punk britannico, le loro melodie erano cristalline, venivano unite alla voce davvero scazzata, alle chitarre aggressive e a delle liriche intelligenti e argute che facevano riferimento al mondo adolescenziale e alle sue frustazioni. I Buzzcocks influenzeranno generazioni di musicisti a venire, non solo in ambito punk, ma in molti altri tipi di musica. Il loro suono esuberante servirà da modello insieme all'esempio fornito dagli americani Ramones a creare l'ondata di punk che dominerà l'universo musicale degli anni 90 che dura ancora fino ad oggi. I Buzzcocks al contrario di gran parte dei gruppi punk, non entreranno mai in ambito politico, e affronteranno sempre tematiche di livello adolescenziale, usando dei testi espliciti, che verranno poi censurati (come nel caso di "Ho Shit!"). La loro principale caratteristica, infatti sarà propio la capacità di trasferire tutta la cruda energia e la rabbia del punk all'interno di strutture pop da tre minuti scarsi.
Il primo nucleo della band nasce dall'incontro tra Pete Shelley e Howard Devoto, entrambi studenti, i due hanno in comune oltre a una viscerale passione per Velvet Underground e Stooges anche un particolare interesse per la musica elettronica, in particolare per le sperimentazioni di Brian Eno e nel krautrock dei Can. Ma in quel periodo la band non si muoveva ancora dentro un panorama musicale ben preciso, e ci vollero i Sex Pistols per indicare la via al gruppo di Manchester, folgorati dall'irriverenza e dalla rabbia del ben più famoso gruppo londinese Shelley e Devoto tornando alla loro città natale decidono di creare un gruppo punk. Reclutano Steve Diggle al basso e John Mather alla batteria e per portare a compimento il loro progetto organizzano un concerto di spalla propio ai Sex Pistols a Manchester. In seguito verranno invitati a fare parte dell'anarchy tour, e poche settimane più tardi entrano in studio con i pochi soldi che Shelley si è fatto prestare dal padre, per registrare l'ep "Spiral Scratch", primo disco autoprodotto dell'era punk e prototipo del D.I.Y.(do it yourself) che segnerà profondamente il modo di rapportarsi all'industria musicale, dando il via a numerose realtà indipendenti. In seguito Devoto esce di scena e andrà a formare i Magazine, formazione decisamente più vicina al suo background musicale e culturale. Quindi la formazione cambia leggermente con Shelley che passa al canto, Diggle alla chitarra e Smith momentaneamente al basso, con questa formazione vengono pubblicati due singoli, contenenti due loro inni inseriti poi in questa compilation: "Orgasm Addict", censuratissima e vero inno al piacere, e la più ortodossa ma non per questo meno importante "What Do I Get". Quindi è il momento di "Another Music In A Different Kitchen" importantissimo disco punk registrato nel 78. E, benchè sia stato spesso sottolineato come i Buzzcocks abbiano espresso il meglio di se propio nei singoli, che per precisa scelta ideologica non venivano mai inseriti nella track list degli album, per non costringere i ragazzi a comperare per due volte la stessa canzone, bisogna dire che questo album merita davvero tanto almeno quanto la raccolta che sto recensendo.
La band rientrerà in studio solo pochi mesi più tardi per incidere "Love Bites" che contiene la bellissima "Ever Fallen In Love", e nel 79 con l'album "A Different Kind Of Tension". Ma secondo me è con questa raccolta "Singles Going Steady" uscita nel 79 che si riesce a capire veramente il potere musicale che aveva raggiunto il gruppo inglese, non mettendo mai i propi singoli all'interno degli lp essi vennero inseriti qui dentro, perciò, anche se questa è una raccolta è anche l'unico modo per ascoltare tutte le perle create dai Buzzcocks, (dato che i singoli sono praticamente introvabili), perle di una straordinaria bellezza, canzoni tra le più belle che la mente umana ha mai prodotto nella storia della musica, e potrete testimoniare dopo avere ascoltato le varie "Promises" col suo ritornello facile e sentimentale, per poi passare alla più complessa e vagamente psichedelica "Everybody's Happy Nowaday" o da "Harmony In My Head" col suo riff duro, o dal boogie decadente di "Something Going Wrong Again", la simpatica "Lipstick"e da tanti altri brani classici, che hanno fatto di questa band davvero un mito. Forse l'unica pecca di questa raccolta è la mancanza di "Boredom" e "Sixteen Again", brani che a mio avviso andavano aggiunti per la loro bellezza, ma questo sicuramente non va ad intaccare assolutamente il capolavoro che è questo ciddi.
Il gruppo quindi in preda alla stanchezza e grazie anche ai forti dissidi interni si scioglierà nell'81, tornerà in attività più avanti e fino ad oggi, ma in tono minore e con una line up rimaneggiata che pubblicherà altri album non degni di nota.
In conclusione che dire, una band che merità davvero tantissimo, sicuramente più del riconoscimento che gli viene dato, e alla quale molti gruppi che nasceranno dopo devono la propia vita. Con questo spero di non avervi annoiato, adesso se volete potete tornare alle recensioni di "In Raimbows" e "Nevermind".. sempre se lo volete.
Elenco tracce testi samples e video
01 Orgasm Addict (02:02)
well you tried it out for once,
found it alright for kicks.
but then you found out
it's a habit that sticks
you're an orgasm addict
you're an orgasm addict
sneakin' in the back door
with dirty magazines
and your mother wants to know
"what are those stains on your jeans?"
you're an orgasm addict
you're an orgasm addict
you get in a heat,
you get in a sulk
but you still keep beatin'
your meat to pulp
you're an orgasm addict
you're an orgasm addict
you're a kid cassanova
you're a no-joseph
it's a labor of love
fucking yourself to death
you're an orgasm addict
you're an orgasm addict
you're makin' out with school kids,
winos and heads of state
you've even made it with the lady
who puts the little plastic robbins
on the christmas cakes
butcher's assistants and belhops
you've had 'em all here and there
children of god and their joystrings
international women with no body hair
so you're asking in an alley
and you're voice ain't steady
the sex mechanic's rough
you're more than ready
you're an orgasm addict
you're an orgasm addict
johnnie want fuckie
all ways and always
he's got the energy
he will amaze
he's an orgasm addict,
he's an orgasm addict.
he's always at it
he's an orgasm addict.
03 I Don't Mind (02:18)
Reality's a dream
A game in which I seem
To never find out just what I am
I don't know if I'm an actor or ham
A shamen or sham
But if you don't mind
I don't mind
I'm lost without a clue
So how can I undo
The tangle of these webs I keep weaving
I don't know if I should be believing
Deceptive perceiving
But if you don't mind
I don't mind
I used to bet that you didn't care
But gambling never got me anywhere
Each time I used to feel so sure
Something about you made me doubt you more
How can you convince me
When everything I see
Just makes me feel you're putting me down
And if it's true this pathetic clown'll
Keep hanging around
That's if you don't mind
I don't mind
I used to bet that you didn't care
But gambling never got me anywhere
Each time I used to be so sure
Something about you made me doubt you more
I even think you hate me when you call me on the phone
And sometimes when we go out I wish I'd stayed at home
And when I'm dreaming or just lying in my bed
I think you've got it in for me
Is it all in my head is it in my head
How can you convince me
When everything I see
Just makes me feel you're putting me down
And if it's true this pathetic clown'll
Keep hanging around
That's if you don't mind
I don't mind
I don't mind
05 Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've) (02:40)
You spurn my natural emotions
You make me feel like dirt
And I'm hurt
And if I start a commotion
I run the risk of losing you
And that's worse
Ever fallen in love with someone
Ever fallen in love
In love with someone
Ever fallen in love
In love with someone
You shouldn't've fallen in love with
I can't see much of a future
Unless we find out what's to blame
What a shame
And we won't be together much longer
Unless we realize that we are the same
Ever fallen in love with someone
Ever fallen in love
In love with someone
Ever fallen in love
In love with someone
You shouldn't've fallen in love with
You disturb my natural emotions
You make me feel like dirt
And I'm hurt
And if I start a commotion
I'll only end up losing you
And that's worse
Ever fallen in love with someone
Ever fallen in love
In love with someone
Ever fallen in love
In love with someone
You shouldn't've fallen in love with
Ever fallen in love with someone
Ever fallen in love
In love with someone
Ever fallen in love
In love with someone
You shouldn't've fallen in love with
Fallen in love with
Ever fallen in love with someone
You shouldn't've fallen in love with
06 Promises (02:35)
Ah loving you is easy you are on my side
We play the game strictly to our rules
We led the field a love affair
Which made all other lovers fools
Oh how can you ever let me down (down)
How can you ever let me down (down)
How can you ever let me down (down)
These promises (ah-ah-ah)
Are made for us (ah-ah-ah)
We promised that we'd always have time for each other
Whenever I needed you'd be there
We promised to be true there'd be no other
We promised that forever we would care
Oh how can you ever let me down (down)
How can you ever let me down (down)
How can you ever let me down (down)
These promises (ah-ah-ah)
Are made for us
We had to change
But you stayed the same
You wouldn't change
Oh what a shame
Cos loving you's not easy you're not on my side
We play a game with two sets of rules we
Lead the field in a love affair
Ah strictly meant for fools
Oh why did you ever let me down (down)
Why did you ever let me down (down)
Why did you ever let me down (down)
Those promises (ah-ah-ah)
Were made for us
You never have any time for me
Whenever I need you you're not there
You've never been true and it's plain to see
The fact is you never really cared
Oh why did you ever let me down (down)
Why did you ever let me down (down)
Why did you ever let me down (down)
Those promises we made for us
07 Everybody's Happy Nowadays (03:12)
I was so tired of being upset
Always wanting something i never could get
Life�s an illusion love is a dream
But I don't know what it is
Everybody's happy nowadays
Everybody's happy nowadays
I was so tired of being upset
Always wanting something i never could get
Life�s an illusion love is a dream
But I don't know what it is
'Cos everybody's happy nowadays
Everybody's happy nowadays
Life�s an illusion love is the $ream
But I don't know what it is
Everyone�s saying things to me
But I know it's okay, okay
Everybody's happy nowadays
Everybody's happy nowadays
Everybody's happy nowadays
Everybody's happy nowadays
Life�s an illusion love is a dream
Life�s an illusion love is the dream
Life�s the illusion love is a dream
Life�s the illusion love is the dream
Everybody's happy nowadays
Everybody's happy nowadays
Todays are good bet
You are tired of being upset
Always wanting something you never can get
Life�s no illusion love's not a dream
Now I know just what it is
Everybody's happy nowadays
Everybody's happy nowadays
08 Harmony in My Head (03:07)
Whenever I'm in doubt about things I do
I listen to the high street wailing sounds in a queue
I go out for my walking sailing social news
Don't let it get me down I'm long in the tooth
When I'm out in the open clattering shoppers around
The neon signs that take your eyes to town
Your thoughts are chosen your world is advertising now
And extravagance matters to worshippers of the pound
But it's a harmony in my head
It's a harmony in my head
The tortured faces expression out aloud
And life's little ironies seem so obvious now
Your cashed in cheques have placed the payments down
And there's a line of buses all wait to take you out
But it's a harmony in my head
It's a harmony in my head
It's a...
It's a harmony in my head
It's a harmony in my head
It's a harmony in my head
It's a harmony in my head
Whenever I'm in doubt about things I do
I listen to the high street wailing sounds in a queue
I go out for my walking sailing social news
Don't let it get me down I'm long in the tooth
'Cos it's a harmony in my head
It's a harmony in my head
It's a harmony in my head
It's a harmony in my head
10 Oh Shit! (01:36)
Oh shit I thought you and I were friends
Oh shit I guess this is where our love ends
Oh shit I thought things were goin' well
But it hasn't turned out so swell
Has it
Oh shit
Oh shit
Pride comes before a fall
Oh shit and once you lose one you've lost them all
Oh shit I guess this time's the time
And it seem you're no longer mine
Don't it
Oh shit
Oh shit
Oh shit I wish I'd known before now
Oh shit that you were such a cow
Oh shit I wouldn't've wasted my time
Oh shit chasin' somethin' which wasn't mine
Face it
You're shit
You're shit
Oh shit I wish I'd known before now
Oh shit that you were such a fuckin' cow
Oh shit I wouldn't've wasted my time
Oh shit chasin' somethin' which could never be mine
Admit
You're shit
You're shit
You're shit
Admit
Admit
You're shit
You're shit
You're shit
You're shit
You're shit
11 Autonomy (03:43)
It's a thing that's worth having
Yes I would
Buys you your life sir
If it could
I, I want you
Autonomy
It leaves us all wondering
And it should
Risking something
For the good
I, I want you
Autonomy
Yes I, I want you
Autonomy
12 Noise Annoys (02:51)
Pretty girls,
Pretty boys,
Have you ever heard your momma say,
"Noise Annoys"?
Go..
Pretty girls,
Pretty boys,
Have you ever heard your momma shout,
"Noise Annoys!"?
Pretty girls,
Pretty boys,
Have you ever heard your momma scream,
"NOISE ANNOYS!"
Pretty girls,
Pretty boys,
Have you ever heard your momma say,
"Noise Annoys"
13 Just Lust (02:59)
Just Lust (Shelley/Dial - from "AMIADK")
There's bed in your eyes
But there's nothing there to trust
Just lust, just lust
You're telling me lies
When you say that it's a must
Just lust, just lust
You shattered all my dreams
And my head's about to bust
Is it all real - that's how it seems
But it all comes down to dust
Your hands feel a need
I don't know if it's too much
Just lust, just lust
It seems it's only greed
To taste all that you touch
Just lust, just lust
You shattered all my dreams
And my head's about to bust
Is it all real - that's how it seems
But it all comes down to dust
You're driven to possess
It hurts it's so unjust
Just lust, just lust
If nothing matters less
Then I wouldn't make a fuss
Just lust, just lust
I was slow to catch on
And that just makes it worse
If passion is a fashion
Then emotion is a curse
[Solo]
I was slow to catch on
And that just makes it worse
If passion is a fashion
Then emotion is a curse
You're driven to possess
It hurts it's so unjust
Just lust, just lust
If nothing mattered less
Then I wouldn't make a fuss
Just lust, just lust
It's my imagination
To see things as I choose
Love has a reputation
That it can only lose
14 Lipstick (02:37)
When you kiss me
Does the lipstick on your lip stick on my face
Will you miss me
In your dreams does your lover have my face
Ah when you kiss me
Does the lipstick on your lip stick on my face
Ah will you miss me
In your dreams does your lover have my face
It's the morning
And the mourning it is dawning on me too
I'd no warning
Just a condolence card to tell me that we're through
Ah it's the morning
And the mourning it is dawning on me too
I had no warning
Just a condolence card to tell me that we're through
Will you kiss me
Does the lipstick on your lip stick on my face
When you miss me
In your dreams does my lover have your face
Ah when you kiss me
Does the lipstick on your lip stick on my face
Ah will you miss me
In your dreams does your lover have my face
15 Why Can't I Touch It? (06:34)
Well it seems so real I can see it
And it seems so real I can feel it
And it seems so real I can taste it
And it seems so real I can hear it
So why can't I touch it?
So why can't I touch it?
Then it looks so real I can see it
And it feels so real I can feel it
And it tastes so real I can taste it
And it sounds so real I can hear it
So why can't I touch it?
So why can't I touch it?
Then it looks so real I can feel it
And it feels so real I can taste it
And it tastes so real I can hear it
And it sounds so real I can see it
So why can't I touch it?
So why can't I touch it?
Now it is so real I can see it
And it is so real I can feel it
And it is so real I can hear it
And it is so real I can be it
So why can't I touch it?
So why can't I touch it?
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