"punk's not dread"
Year: 1991
Country: UK
City: City
Label: Rhythm Vicar
Format: CD, LP
Tracks: 12
Time: 24 min.
Genre: rock
Style: Punk Hardcore
I consider it a crime that this album hasn't been reviewed yet, it is a classic punk album. The Exploited, along with Discharge and G.B.H. were one of the most influential bands of the U.K. punk scene in the early 1980's. And they have also been an influence on the almighty Slayer. This album is full of raw, three chord aggression, and it's being delivered by a bunch of leather jacketed punks with colored hair. What's not to love?
This album is easily worthy of its rating. It starts off with the classic "Punk's Not Dead". It kicks off with a drum beat and is then accompanied by some aggressive guitar work provided by Big John Duncan. This album has some anti cop songs such as "Cop Cars", "S.P.G", and "Son Of A Copper". All three of those are on the fast side, and all three are quite catchy. There are also some slower songs as well, such as the anthem like "Exploited Barmy Army", "Dole Q", "Sex And Violence", and "Ripper". Politics and social problems are very common throughout the album. Songs like "Free Flight", "Army Life" and "Blown To Bits" are good examples. "Mucky Pup" is a cover, the original was done by Puncture. This cover is quite good.
The music itself is a little on the raw side, the guitars are dirty sounding. But this is punk we're talking about here, so it's no surprise. The bass is relatively audible and the drums are your typical punk drumming. And last but not least, The Exploited is fronted by the man with the big red mohawk himself, Wattie Buchan. His shouted vocals with the Scottish brogue fits everything perfectly. The overall production is not very good, which amusingly is considered a virtue in the punk scene. This is a pretty lengthy album considering it's punk, but it's okay considering there are fifteen songs here.
I think that this is an essential punk album. There are other punk albums I would recommend over this for someone new to punk, but this is also a great start. I think anyone who is a fan of angry music, be it hardcore punk, thrash metal, black metal, or whatever, should give this album a listen. And then before you know it, you'll be painting The Exploited on the back of your leather jacket
( *Review by Sleeping Finger ).