999 - Concrete (12 tracks) +Album Reviews

Totally Overlooked Band and Record!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ThrEaD NUGENT | Newport Beach, CA United States | 03/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this great slice of new wave/post punk/power pop at Licorice Pizza (long gone record store) in 1981, I never stopped listening to it......999 was the most overlooked band from the UK punk scene of '77. They had it all: chops, hooks, talent and songs......The Buzzcocks stole the show, yet 999 held their own and are very well respected as songwriters, players and showmen among the great groups from their period.....Concrete is their 4th LP, it is a mixed bag of pop(Mercy Mercy/That's Way it Goes) disco (Obsessed w/ it's spaghetti western flavor), punky pop (So Greedy) and rock (Don't You Know I need You) to name a few....the inclusion of the bonus tracks which are the singles released from the record is genius......fills it out perfectly...Change, a b-side should have been on the album originally, now it is due to technology...if you're a fan of the UK '77 crew and not afraid to hear them mature into a more musical unit this record is for you.......try Biggest Prize in Sport '80 as well.....oh hell, try them all: Separates and 999 both from '78.....you will be happy you did......"

Worth the wait

Donald E. Gilliland | Bangkok, Thailand | 07/29/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's great to finally see this album released on CD. I've wanted this for a long time. Hot on the heels of the "Biggest Prize in Sport" album, this was released by Polydor in the USA clearly with the idea of riding the cresting new wave. Sure, it was probably 999's most "commercial" album but listeners are treated to some great catchy hard rockin' songs. No, it's not punk but these guys never were really prime safety pin disciples. A very consistent album. Sing along! And what a great live band they were!"

Not the best example of Brit-Punk...but I like it.

David Wellbeloved | Washington, DC United States | 07/14/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I played this album to death when I was younger, so I was very happy when I saw it was out on CD. The day it arrived I plopped it into my CD player and turned it up. "Excuse me...but who is this tired old band?" asked my wife. "It's BORRING!" I was speechless! I had never thought of this as a dull album...in fact I thought it was cool...kind of moody, a bit pop, and maybe a little slow when compared to their earlier albums like "High Energy Plan" and "Biggest Prize in Sport", but I was never bored by it! In fact I had thought of it as something of an unknown Brit-Punk Classic. I guess it's not for everyone. My recommendation would be that if you are a fan of old school punk, (You know...pre Hard-Core like Sham 69, Undertones, Stiff Little Fingers, and Buzzcocks) then get this. If you are more into Sandinista era Clash, Joy Division/Goth, Grunge, Ska, PIL, or good `ol American Hard-Core, (and I like all those things, too) then I will admit, perhaps this is not for you. I think it has aged real well, but what do I know...I'm an Old School Jerk!"

The First Wave

John C Shelhorse | St. Louis, MO United States | 01/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw 999 at the Starship (I think that was the name of the bar)in Milwaukee, WI in 1981 when I was 19 (you could drink liquor at 18 back then). The Alley Cats (or was it "Katz"?) opened up. Man! 999 was a barrage of driving guitar behind Nick Cash's seering vocals. I can't remember if the concert was before or after the release of Concrete, but I'm sure they played "So Greedy" and "Break It Up." Although previous reviewers have called Concrete "commercial," I think it's a great example of the earliest punk to new wave crossover albums. Actually, I look back now, and Concrete seems to be a pop album. The Clash was starting to enjoy real commercial success, the Sex Pistols were done, Black Flagg was gaining commercial recognition, and harder core stuff was getting popular. 999 came into the 80's as a punk band, but they'd been playing in various incarnations since the mid-70's, and by the time they made Concrete, they were quite accomplished. Concrete is a tight, edgy pop album. Let's call it hard-core pop. It's one of my favorite albums. Ask someone you know who is in their late 30's or early 40's if they've ever heard of or remember 999. If they haven't, they're missing out. 999 was a great band that never enjoyed the commercial success it should have."

Fun record from a very cool band

M. S Swanson | Elkhart, IN USA | 08/13/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"999 is one my favorite bands. They have so much energy and talent and I love all the songs about crime, corruption and chaos. And let's face it, this band never takes itself too seriously. Concrete is a fun listen and still sounds fresh today. The music is so direct and to the point, and with two guitars they really rock hard. Guy Days on lead guitar plays some sweet licks-he gets right to it! Guy's not afraid to show off his skills, which is unusual for punk of this era. Concrete is a more restrained, polished album than most of the 999 catalog, but very well done. Public Enemy Number One is a favorite cut, with a pounding beat, searing, growling riffs and outrageous lyrics. Thanks for rounding out the CD with bonus cuts-very nice!"

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