10 Perfect Post Punk Albums With No Bad Songs

The Durutti Column was one of the more unique bands to emerge from the British post punk scene. Their 1989 album (entitled after the driving force behind the band, guitarist Vini Reilly), is an example of just how far ranging the sound of post punk was.

Unlike many great albums of this era, which share a sound very much of the time, this record, feels as though it exists in a time all to itself. Despite the over all sparseness of audible lyrics, the album has a remarkable ability to evoke emotion. The music imbues a sense of optimism, but there are also moments of sombre reflection. At other times, its hauntingly beautiful, with interlude type arrangements, composed of surging string sections, sombre piano and operatic style singing. But the meat of the album is Reilly's guitar playing.

Peoples Pleasure Park, is about as smooth, funky and jazzy as anything you're gonna find from this era. It sounds like a very contemporary piece of music, more akin to something you'd hear from a New York funk and soul band. Red Square and Otis are mostly instrumental pieces: they both rely on a recurring beats and guitar melody that serve as the back drop for Reilly to emote through his intricate lead parts. You can hear the sound of jazz, bluegrass, soul and classical music all wrapped into one album. For all the seemingly conflicting styles, it's a surprisingly concise record.