Fronted by white-haired, lip-snarling singer Billy Idol, Generation X got its start at Malcolm Mclaren's London Sex boutique, which also spawned the Sex Pistols. More deliberately pop-oriented than most of their safety-pin... more »ned colleagues, Generation X's catchy songs--most notably "Your Generation," a clever putdown of the Who and other bands from the '60s/'70s schools of British rock, and "Ready Steady Go," a celebratory anthem of outcast solidarity--helped them become the first punk group to appear on the BBC's Top of the Pops program. While they never made it in the U.S., Idol didn't do too badly "dancing by himself" after the group broke up in '81. --Billy Altman« less
Fronted by white-haired, lip-snarling singer Billy Idol, Generation X got its start at Malcolm Mclaren's London Sex boutique, which also spawned the Sex Pistols. More deliberately pop-oriented than most of their safety-pinned colleagues, Generation X's catchy songs--most notably "Your Generation," a clever putdown of the Who and other bands from the '60s/'70s schools of British rock, and "Ready Steady Go," a celebratory anthem of outcast solidarity--helped them become the first punk group to appear on the BBC's Top of the Pops program. While they never made it in the U.S., Idol didn't do too badly "dancing by himself" after the group broke up in '81. --Billy Altman
"This record is probably the quintessential British punk album of its time for driving rhythms and pop melodies. Considered too pop and rejected as not serious punk at the time, the naysayers were probably jealous they couldn't write songs or play this good. This record is the perfect example of punk meets power pop. The songwriting and sheer musical energy on this album make this the most impressive early punk debut without being too polished or sounding like they "sold out" compared to other bands at the time. Billy Idol and Tony James' songs defy convention in their angry attitude towards personal relationships and the establishment. Sounds as fresh today as it did 22 years ago. Mark Laff's drumming and Bob Andrews' guitarwork is so manic it makes the early Who records seem tame in comparison. Best punk record of all time! This release is the British version which contains 3 tracks which were not available on the American version which contained the single "Your Generation." The 3 different tracks ("Too Personal", "Listen" and "Invisible Man") make it superior to the US version. A must have for any fan of 70's British punk. Right up there with the Pistols and The Clash. They don't make 'em like this anymore!"
Great, but missing what i wanted...
Rocklover1968 | San Francisco, CA United States | 06/27/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"namely "wild youth." i don't which version i had when i was a high school kid, but it had wild youth/wild dub, your generation, and "give me some truth" miss 'em and think it makes it an inferior album. at least it was mastered at the correct speed, instead of the 80's cd release, which had everything slowed down to molasses (featured in it's awful anti-glory at the end of the movie "slc punk""
Great
Dave Oldfield | Naples, FL United States | 06/23/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"hello out there? did you know on this uk release,emi gold , gold collection. there is a mistake made here! for one that i can see is the front cover! that's pictured L to R steve missal, billy of corse.phil feit, steve stevens. all who have which is only on the frist billy idol band on up! . they even gave steve stevens credit for! and one thing right here is that they gave tony james his credits. they left outthe to original guys which are bob andrews guitars, mark laff drums,tony james bass vocals,! NOT steve stevens, NOT steve missal, NOT phil feit. this was wrong to be publishished!"
Scroll up to "Perfect Hits 1975-1981"
MajorMajorTom | San Clemente, CA United States | 03/24/2001
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Yeah, man, Flip 13, I had that tape too and played it until my deck ate it...I too was looking (in vain, I guess) for the CD re-release of said cass...Perfect Hits 1975-1981 is closer to the original cuts, even, I think, in order. It's got the Wild Youth, Wild Dub combo but, yeah, it's missing one or two others...but it's picked up a few more...Oldfield may be right, too, about the packaging/marketing of this one. The sound is here but the other's the go..."