Say what you like but if ever there was an Album that changed everything, this is it.
1977 and the only studio album from the Pistols.
The Band was offensive, the album cover was offensive with most record stores refusing to display it - but that was the Malcolm McLaren promotional magic of making it "underground". Tapping into the coolness of kids, something they really, really shouldn't have - Unless they were cool.
It heralded the era of punk.
Of course the Pistols were at this time, notorious, something which Richard Branson (who actually decided the track list) and Virgin saw as an monied opportunity. The Pistols were not short of publicity.
Record shops were police raided under obscenity laws - exactly what a promoter wanted. Indeed a high-profile court case found that in fact 'bollocks' was an old English term and ruled reluctantly, not to breach obscenity laws but did add, to the whole publicity, to the record sales.
So despite the bans, the court cases, the outrage, the record debuted at number one in the UK.
Rolling Stone said it was the second best record in two decades after 'Sgt. Peppers' which clearly, it's not. Not by a mile. But we know what they mean.
It is generational and transformative. There has never been anything like it before or since. A Nirvana moment.
If there's a good song on it, it's 'Pretty Vacant'. One of those classic opening riffs and drum intro. 'God Save the Queen' is there and 'Anarchy in the UK' but this is not about great songwriting and crafted musicianship, it's about raw energy and a new way of looking at the world. It does that in spades and well worth a Streamabout listen.
You'll hear the world spin. And if you like it, get a hold of Sid Vicious "My Way". Now that is, a classic.
Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog.......Sam Cooke Live at Harlem Square; The Doors LA Woman; Thin Lizzy Live & Dangerous; Kendrick Lamarr Butterfly; Aretha Franklin Amazing Grace; Clapton 461; Massive Attack Blue Lines; The Clash London Calling; Chris Isaak At The Filmore; Bob Dylan Street Legal;Bad Company Straight Shooter; Jackson Browne Love is Strange; Lou Reed Transformer; Steely Dan AJA; Stones Black+Blue; Stephen Bishop Careless; Nils Lofgren Night after Night; Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells; Neil Young Harvest; Led Zep 4; David Bowie David Live; Van It's too late to stop now; Wings Band on the run; Rod Stewart Atlantic Crossing; Ryan Adams Heartbreaker; Santana Essential; Bob Dylan Desire; Roxy Music For your pleasure; Bob Marley Legend; Stephen Fretwell Magpie; James Taylor Sweet Baby James; Deep Purple Machine Head; Springsteen Darkness on the edge of town; Leon Bridges Coming Home; Eagles Hotel California; Jungle; Aretha Soul Queen; Neil Young After the Goldrush + Harvest; Zappa Overnite Sensation; Fleetwood Mac Rumours; Keith Jarrett Koln Concert; Doobies Southbound; Stevie Earle I feel Alright; Tom Waits Closing Time; Pink Floyd Dark Side; Van Moondance; Eric Church Caught in the Act; Randy Newman Little Criminals; Elton John Madman across the water; Patti Smith Horses; Doobies Captain and Me; Steely Dan Can't Buy a Thrill
