10 Forgotten Punk Albums You Need To Redisover

10. Black Market Baby – Senseless Offerings

Beyond New York and London, there was perhaps no greater hub for punk rock than Washington DC, with the likes of Bad Brains and Minor Threat two of the most important groups for the scene in the ‘80s and beyond. Less well known but just as good were Black Market Baby, whose 1983 album Senseless Offerings deserves a place in the punk pantheon.

Black Market Baby were as politicised as any group of the era, with opener “Downward Christian Soldiers” dripping with disdain for organised religion and the sharp if obvious “World At War” taking a broadside swipe at their war-hungry nation.

They give their songs room to breathe in a way many of their hardcore contemporary didn’t, though. “Gun Point Affection” rolls along with growing, sinister menace, and “This Year’s Prophet” - a track which takes aim at contemporary political punks they felt insincere - delivers its venomous message over a patient, riff-laden five minutes.

The subject matter is familiar ground - the government, war, the scene kids of “America’s Youth”, but every song is razor sharp and fantastically performed.