Blank Generation
ORG, 2023
10/10
This pivotal 1977 album from the punk rock icon Richard Hell sees the reissue treatment, where a 2017 remastering of the 10 songs comes with a 20 page booklet with the original liner notes by John Picarella and a new afterword from Richard himself, as well as a fold-out poster and a printed CD sleeve with lyrics.
The thumping and raw proto-punk of “Love Comes In Spurts” opens the listen and welcomes melodic backing vocals, and “Liars Beware” follows with some quirky New Wave nods populating the barked versus singing vocals that benefits much from Hell’s bouncy bass.
Halfway through, “Down At The Rock And Roll Club” showcases Marc Bell’s swift drumming amid the swirling guitars, while the title track offers a primitive and punk rock blast of power and melody.
“The Plan” and “Another World” exit the listen, where the former is the calmest he gets here, and even brings a bit of a harmonic jangle, and the latter presents some off kilter rhythm and strong attention to mood that uses Robert Quins and Iva Julia’s guitars playfully.
Hell’s resume is quite impressive, as he also played in Television, Neon Boys and The Heartbreakers, plus he’s been an actor and novelist. One of the most influential minds in the early punk/New Wave scene, this late ‘70s gem sure has aged well, and it’s easy to detect Hell’s influences in many of today’s punk bands, too.
Travels well with: Foxy- X-Ray Spex Tribute; Jonathan Richman & Modern Lovers- Jonathan Sings!