While not as crucial as recordings by such greats as The Sex Pistols, The Clash, or The Jam, Generation X had a knack for writing good, hook laden, punk songs. This album, their first, is by far their crowning acheivement, and should be a part of any good, punk record collection. I've always been a huge fan of two of songs in this album's repetoire: the amazing and downright incredible reflection on punk's quick rise to public conscience, "One Hundred Punks Rule", and the witty commentary of "Promises Promises".
From “One Hundred Punks Rule”-
A hundred punks run with total suss A hundred good mates you know you can trust There's never no bother and there's no fuss Check out any wall - one hundred punks rule One hundred punks rule
From “Promises, Promises”-
We made our shirts with sprays and knives Then we saved up for weeks for Malcolm's strides Our hair was short we said what we thought We'd never be scared [we'd] never be bought Never sell out like they did - they did
It could be said that Generation X was cut from the same mold as bands like The Clash and The Pistols, but unlike those two bands who received so much attention and acclaim from music fans, Generation X has always held a much smaller part in early, English punk history. You'll see more mentions in the various tomes on the English punk legacy of Billy as a part of the crowd surronding the Sex Pistols, than you will on his early efforts as a musician. But, Billy was able to craft competent, well meaning lyrics to front a band with a great deal of pop sensiblities to back up their raw, aggressive take on punk. They did manage to record and release three albums, and while the other two may be a little weak in points, this debut release shines from start to finish.
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