The Anthology [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

X-Ray Spex

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 19, 2002)
• Original Release Date: March 19, 2002
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Sbme Castle Us
• ASIN: B0000633JK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #226,423 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uproarious and underrated, May 5, 2004

By	Rocco Dormarunno (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Howling guitars and screeching sax (or is it the other way around?), layered with Poly's shrieking little girl meets hyena frenzy voice, X-Ray Spex has undeservedly been pushed out of the spotlight of punk's history. This is an injustice. The band was no mere flash in the pan with "O Bondage, Up Yours". They actually accumulated a decent output of equally uproarious tunes.

The only thing that really prevented the band from achieving greater recognition was that they dissolved so quickly because of Poly's condition. In retrospect, many of the songs hauntingly predicted her oncoming mental deterioration. But that's an aside. What's important is the music, and this CD is an invaluable piece in the punk puzzle. No, the production isn't top-notch--not by a longshot. Still, I would recommend this CD to anyone who has never heard of this outrageous band or who only knows the one or two cuts that achieved any popularity.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the best album of all time... not an exaggeration., February 6, 2004

By	Chelsea Johnson (Gilbert, Arizona United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Nothing I could write could do this album justice. Am I going overboard? I think not. (Well, perhaps... it is midnight, I have had three cups of coffee today, am putting off a Philosphy paper and have spent the last hour looking at David Hasselhoff reviews. Okay... no. I worship Poly Styrene...) Anyway, everything said and done, I would pay $1,000 for this CD and give it ten stars. The first CD is essential, but the second "Live at the Roxy" CD is just fun to listen to. If you don't buy any other CD this year, buy this one.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oh bondage, up yours! Oh bondage, no more!, December 31, 2004

By	Megzi - See all my reviews

I love this album. I am so glad I found out about this rare and unique band. The album is a melting pot of punk, pop, and even a little bit of ska sometimes. Marion Elliot's (aka: Poly Styrene) lyrics attack the materialistic world, and have this rare sort of desperateness in them that I can relate to so well. There's also boredom and a sort of 'I don't care anymore' attitude (I am a Poseur, I Can't Do Anything). The theme of hopelessness and 'I can't do anything to stop this' attitude run throughout the entire album. And in a strange way, it's almost comforting. 'Oh Bondage, Up Yours!' is an excellent feminist anthem that eagerly steamrolls over the idea of objectifying women by being sarcastic. I highly recommend this album, it's more true today than it was in 1977.