1. Blank Generation - Richard Hell And The Voidoids (1977)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP3x-VdOb44 Richard Hell is punk royalty. Televisions original bass player (before he was axed by head honcho, Tom Verlaine, for his supposed lack of musicality) and the main inspiration behind Malcolm McLarens self-proclaimed visual styling of the Sex Pistols (although Im sure a certain Mr Lydon would dispute this claim), Hell has punk running through his veins. And if that wasnt enough, he also provided the fledging movement with its definitive anthem in the form of Blank Generation. Hells disinterested vocals and the bands screaming, out-of-tune guitars reinforce the track's dominant tone of nonchalance and apathy. The Voidoids had no time for conventional musical protocol, they were angry at the world but they werent really sure why. Staking another impressive claim as the supposed direct inspiration for the Pistols Pretty Vacant, a track that dealt with the similar themes of the non-opportunities and futility of the working classes in a fiercely antagonist world, Blank Generation, in all of its messy and rapid-fire glory, voiced the ubiquitous disaffection and disenfranchisement of Americas forgotten youth. Barely taking a breath for the songs duration, Hell constructed poetry out of nothingness and beauty out of oblivion. Essential listening.
Dan Owens
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A 22 year old English Literature graduate from Birmingham. I am passionate about music, literature and football, in particular, my beloved Aston Villa. Lover of words and consumer of art, music is the very air that I breathe.
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