bloggedy blog

:: Monday, October 04, 2004 ::

Punk Rock Countdown: No. 5
"Anarchy in the UK," by the Sex Pistols
"Anarchy in the UK" may be the quintessential punk song. It has everything -- political content, anarchy, a great opening musical assault (guitar, bass and drums joining forces), and Johnny Rotten's best madman vocal delivery. Rotten (aka John Lydon) proclaims himself to be both the antichrist and an anarchist -- dual threats to a society that trusts in religious and political order. Rotten manages to maintain the shrieking throughout the song. It may sound harmless today. But transport yourself to 1976 or 1977, when the radio was playing stuff like "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight," and just imagine what effect a song like "Anarchy" had on its listeners.

When you truly listen to and dissect the tune, it's foundation is nothing more than old-fashioned rock'n'roll. A few barre chords, a neat bass riff, and a conquering tom tom heartbeat -- a simple formula. But toss Rotten's threatening delivery into the mix, and suddenly everything is different. And suddenly everything was different. With "Anarchy in the UK," punk burst out of its underground shelter and into the streets. Rock has never been the same since.

:: Andrew 07:26 + ::
...

bloggedy blog recommends

bloggedy pod (my podcast page)

Independent hotels
in Missouri

eMusic's Power Charts: The Most Interactive Music Charts Online.

In rotation

What I've been listening to lately. Click album cover or hyperlink to hear track samples and learn more.

Rickie Lee Jones, Sermon on Exposition Boulevard

Patty Griffin, Children Running Through

Of Montreal, Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?

Field Music, Tones of Town

De Bossen, The Girl Collection

Cold War Kids, Robbers & Cowards

Simon Dawes, Carnivore

Frida Hyvonen, Until Death Comes

Tratore Basics Vol. 2, Novo Rock Brazil

Yusuf: An Other Cup

The Beatles: Love

The French Kicks: Two Thousand

The Blow: Paper Television

Freedom Haters Unite! A Bloodshot Records Sampler

Swan Lake: Beast Moans

Prototypes: Prototypes

Scanners: Violence Is Golden

Voxtrot: Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives

Voxtrot: Your Biggest Fan

Macon Greyson: Translate

The Evens: Get Evens

Veruca Salt: Veruca Salt IV

Bob Dylan: Modern Times

Pink Tuscadero: Look Your Best

Leigh Nash: Blue on Blue

Yo La Tengo: I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass

The Hold Steady: Boys and Girls in America

Bobby Bare Jr.: The Longest Meow"

The Be Good Tanyas: Hello Love

The Lemonheads: The Lemonheads

Ben Kweller: Ben Kweller

The Pipettes: We Are the Pipettes

Paul Simon: Surprise

Exene Cervenka and the Original Sinners: Sev7en

Johnny Cash: American V: A Hundred Highways

The John Doe Thing: For the Best of Us

The Fondas: Runaway Bombshell

Buzzcocks: Flat Pack Philosophy

Asobi Seksu: Citrus

Tapes 'n Tapes: The Loon

Various Artists: 2006 Pitchfork Music Festival Sampler (24 free tracks)

The Futureheads: News and Tributes

The Bottle Rockets: Zoysia

Camera Obscura: Let's Get Out of This Country

Art Brut: Bang Bang Rock & Roll

Drive By Truckers: A Blessing and a Curse

The Raconteurs: Broken Boy Soldiers

Belle and Sebastian: The Life Pursuit

Cat Power: The Greatest

bloggedy tags

from our sponsors

for your viewing pleasure

24x7
rocketboom
the Richard Show

where in the world?