The Vibrators

A siren sounds in the background as Knox, lead singer and principal writer for the
Vibrators, analyzes his feelings toward London girls. It's one of those two-note sirens
familiar to early Hitchcock fans, and it leads into the guitar solo (itself a shrewd and speedy
play on the interval), which ends on a shrieking high note. Traditional, but apt. Though the
Vibrators are connoisseurs of the immediate effect (the finale of "Baby Baby" sati... More >

This has been raving without letup ever since it arrived at my house as an import in September of '77. Mixing raw vocals and relentless tempos with hooks that should strike familiar chords among over-twenties, it's a way into the punk style for seekers after pure musical rush. Those who listen to lyrics may regret, as I do, that they care so much about sex, since despite the distancing and pacing their s&m interests are clearly more than a flirtation with the absolute--they're narsty. Then again, so were the Velvets'. And this remains good new-fashioned rock and roll at its wildest. (Grade: A)