Spiral Scratch [EP, Original recording reissued]

Buzzcocks | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 21, 2000)
• Original Release Date: 1977
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: EP, Original recording reissued
• Label: Mute U.S.
• ASIN: B00004RJ2F
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,622 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #95 in Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo Fi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic EP available at last!, July 10, 2000

By 

Steve Harris "Steve" (London, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spiral Scratch (Audio CD)

I was too late in trying the buy the original limited edition EP in 1977 and have been looking for a copy for 23 years! When I found the CD on amazon I immediately ordered a copy. Whilst waiting for the CD to arrive I was worried that my recollection of the music might be clouded by time and rose-tinted memories.

Well, I have just listened to Spiral Scratch and the wait was well worth it. The first chords of Breakdown immediately woke me up and within seconds I was dancing animatedly around my hotel room. The raw energy that was so typical of the early punk days came back to me and I was immediately immersed in the music. Devoto's voice has that edge that singers just do not have these days, and the sheer abandonment of the bands' music shines through.

Those that are not familiar with punk music should buy this EP and see why punk took off so quickly in the late 70s. Spiral Scratch is uncomplicated music, and is probably the best session that the Buzzcock's did in their career. The guitar riffs in Boredom have not lost their hypnotic lure over the years and really remain the sound most associated with the band.

The fact that the EP only has four tracks should not put people off. Any more tracks would have possibly diluted the music and the impact it made.

This is the definitive early punk CD and the Buzzcock's best work. Buy it now and reawaken your love of rock!

Badum, Badum!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, April 22, 2008

By 

yogamatt1970 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Spiral Scratch (Audio CD)

Jeez, I really love the Buzzcocks' later material but listening to this makes me wish there were a parallel universe where Howard Devoto never left the band and they went on to record all of their other albums. He definitely sounds more punky and less poppy than Pete Shelley.

Anyway, this is classic old school punk at its best.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Still a blast!, July 7, 2000

By 

Mr N Forbes-warren "author of RESURGENCE and ... (Newport, South Wales, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spiral Scratch (Audio CD)

This Ep was recorded in 1976, with the original Buzzcocks line-up, and even today, you can't quite match the spontaneous energy and noise onslaught of this classic punk band's first release! BREAKDOWN and TIME'S UP use basic three-chord guitar riffing turned up and one hundred mile an hour drumming as original vocalist Howard DeVoto(in pre-Magazine and pre-Luxuria days, obviously!) shouts and rants about life's vicissitudes and being stood up at the supermarket(I think, but what the hell?. BOREDOM is a true punk classic, the title tells all of the subject matter but this song is far from boring(unlike today's godawful boy bands and gangsta rap rubbish) - the guitar 'solo' is one big UP YOURS to middle-aged rock musos, even now I'm nearing that age myself! Brings back memories of college punk discos and an alternative music club I used to visit - this track was a dancefloor favourite. Finally, we have a fast FRIENDS OF MINE which sounds in places like a cross between someone's vaccuum cleaner and my two-year old nephew trying to emulate Bill and Ted on my old Aria Pro2 guitar! Wonderful.