Just another compilation album? Absolutely not!
The name of the late DJ John Peel is certainly well known within British music journalism, but although having been a writer and disc jockey for 40 years, the name of Peel's friend Kris Needs may not be quite so familiar. The same familiarity/unfamiliarity may be the case when considering the punk genre and the artists that feature on the new compilation album "Kris Needs Presents... Dirty Water: The Birth of Punk Attitude". Whilst the likes of T-Rex, The Stooges and the New York Dolls are likely to ring a few bells, there are bound to be new bands discovered in this exciting release.
Immediately from the beginning, it is apparent that there are didactic undercurrents to this album, with the numerous genres visited each contributing to the collage that illustrates how punk was formed. Self-titled opener 'Dirty Water' may have blues elements to it, such as the story-telling narrative and chord progressions, but has an interesting correlation to the compilation's focus genre. The range of styles presented here means that there really is a good chance that there is something for everybody... or not as the case may be. For example, the sounds of vomiting during The Deviants' song 'Garbage' may not be wholly pleasant, but will hopefully not distract from the fascinating musical merits of the remainder of the track.
'Space Age Love' is a particular highlight for any fan of rock bands with gimmicks. The impact of such a band becomes apparent when considering that Zolar X influenced Ace Frehley, whose band KISS in turn played a major part in the inspiration for modern day acts such as Lordi. Approach this compilation with the mentality of a budding musicologist/historicist and you will find the experience incredibly rewarding.
The degree of diversity displayed throughout this 33-track adventure is quite considerable, ranging from the familiar rock and roll sounds of Gene Vincent to the mind-blowing extremity of jazz composer Sun Ra's 'Rocket Number Nine'. The conclusion of Culture's reggae tune 'Two Sevens Clash' provides a wonderful sense of variety and although the connection to the development of punk seems a little more blurred, the importance of such music at the time of creation makes it worthy of inclusion.
The audio quality of some of the recordings sometimes suffers, but these are primarily in the live recordings where vocal levels either distort as a result of excessive volume or contrastingly remain virtually inaudible. It is a shame because the inclusion of The Stooges should have been a highlight, but ultimately does not meet expectations. Sure, the recording of 'Do You Want My Love' does do a respectable job of capturing the energy of the show and this is probably the most important aspect, but it is unlikely to be a track that you will return to time and time again.
In "Dirty Water: The Birth of Punk Attitude", the former editor of the ZigZag rock music magazine has compiled an enriching and insightful glimpse into the formation of the beloved genre. If you are seeking a compilation that bundles together established punk artistes such as The Sex Pistols and The Ramones, then it is advisable that you search elsewhere. However, if you wish to make a new and interesting investigation into the evolution of the punk genre around the 1950s/1960s/1970s, then this is an essential purchase.