Search - Poly Styrene :: Translucence

Poetic Testament to the Punk Scene

dmaxlpillette | South Central PA | 05/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Poly Styrene in 1980 used her musical and poetic talents to create something different than X-Ray Spex' Germ Free Adolescents. This is acoustic, quiet, tranquil, tinkling, and bubbling. And Poly's delivery is not a "wail" as some had described her voice on the X-Ray Spex' album. Here she delivers her lyrics softly, at times almost in a whisper. The music is soothing, and the mood is peaceful. But don't get too comfortable. As Poly sings on a track from 'Translucence':



"dreamt that you were skating over ice,

very cold and slippery but nice,

woke up screaming in a nightmare,

didn't you see the thin ice sign - beware"



This is music that comments on the "follies of youthful exuberance". It has a sense of dawning wisdom. It is the work of an artist who has lived "the life", who has experienced pain and transformed it into suffering. She has seen the effects of burning the candle at both ends. She has seen the aftermath (Sid Vicious, etc). And this is part of her artistic testament. I think that it is essential and am disappointed it is again out of print.





"