Search - Buzzcocks :: Modern

Modern

crap person | Eugene, Oregon United States | 09/09/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The lads (and lasses) who reviewed this so far seem to have little common ground on which to stand. Some thought the second half picked up while one disjointed and rather cryptic email loved the first half, and another hated all the songs by "Spedding" (which may be a reference to Chris Spedding who has absolutely nothing to do with the Buzzcocks). I'm sure that lad meant Diggle. As it turns out, they're all wrong. "Modern" may not be modern but it is certainly the best product they've made since they "regrouped." Most notable is the improvement Diggle shows. His songs are as good as they used to be (before the awful material he provided TTT). Actually, it shouldn't be too much of a surprise given the progress he demonstrated on "All Set." Fools will complain that this is not the old Buzzcocks. Of course not. It is still the best Buzzcock album since 1979. And it's quite good, for that matter. In fact,I was genuinely surprised just how good it turned out to be."

A MODERN classic!

crap person | 11/13/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a brilliant album, bringing Buzzcocks' classic power pop sound into the new century! The always amazing, catchy and stirring Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle songs are here again, this time enhanced by wonderful production touches. The American bands that have "borrowed" from Buzzcocks (such as Green Day and The Offspring) have benefited from legions of adoring fans - now it's time for Buzzcocks to get their due. The songs on Modern range from those such as "Under the Sun" that could have come off their now-classic albums of the late 70s, to more introspective tunes such as "Rendezvous" that should fit right in on the radio!"

Modern Buzzcocks?

Jonathan B Whitcomb | New Hampshire USA | 05/18/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Buzzcocks emerged from Manchester in the late 70's with their self released EP "Spiral Scratch". From there they rode the punk wave, releasing a string of brilliant singles (collected in "Singles Going Steady"). But while they wore the punk mantle, they were essentially a pop band that embraced punk's energy and sense of humor. They disbanded in the early 80's, and after various solo outings (Notably Pete Shelley's "Homosapien" and Steve Diggle's "Flag of Convenience"), sank into obscurity. A complete box set ("Product") appeared in 1989, and in the early 90's the band regrouped for a tour. 1993 saw Shelley and Diggle (with new rhythm section (Phil Barker and Tony Barber) release "Trade Test Transmission", which remarkably picked up right where the band left off in 1980. 1996's "All Set" was also amazingly strong. In an unlikely turn of events, Toyota chose "What Do I Get" for a TV commercial campaign in 2000.Which leads us to the album at hand, "Modern". I wonder why they chose this title...the last thing I want the Buzzcocks to sound is modern! The album is infused with too many synthesizers and drum machines to sound like classic Buzzcocks, and is spotty through the first six tracks. Then the album abruptly rights itself with "Runaround" and "Doesn't Mean Anything" and doesn't falter again.If you are new to the band, search out one of the early compilations such as "Operator's Manual". If you were a fan of the early Buzzcocks and have been leery of the 90's version start with "Trade Test Transmission". "Modern" shows the band maturing somewhat, but considering that most of the band's charm was its immaturity, that isn't necessarily a plus.All that said, this album is far better than you'd have any reason to expect of a 70's punk band that has decided to keep on plugging."