The Pitchfork 500 Ch1 1977-1979
The Pitchfork 500 is Pitchfork Media’s chosen list of the best, most influential songs from 1977 to 2006. The Pitchfork 500 isn’t a numerical list but it covers different eras and chooses songs that suit that time period.
Anyway, with my copy of the Pitchfork 500, I’ll be doing more then just providing the list for you. You can find it here.
I guess you’ll get a semi-review though I doubt you’ll get much criticism and more or less choices of certain songs from each perspective band as well as any commentary. This will be part 1 of 9. I expect to do these about once a week so enjoy! I also want to be able to get the chance to discuss older tracks.
In 1977, it was still 11 years until I was born. Bands like the Clash, Sex Pistols were creating their own punk scene overseas and Television and the Talking Heads creating a punk scene in New York oceanside. I think it’s pretty transparent that I have very little about older more historical artists. While I know a lot about David Bowie, Iggy Pop it’s clear I know next to nothing about their music. Even bands like The Clash and the Sex Pistols which are name dropped more then anyone would like, the understanding is generally pretty limited.
I know file sharing isn’t always looked on in the best light but for someone looking to buy the Pitchfork 500 without much music knowledge to begin with, being able to check out these tracks in a viable fashion make reading the Pitchfork 500 that much better.
The Clash features 2 songs from this era and are probably my favorite my band from this time period and arguably my “introduction” to punk rock. The Clash always surprised me because of the references to punk rock that usually come up short when referencing modern punk rock or post-punk. Using a mix of ska and pop sensibilities really drew me into The Clash. I actually am mainly unfamilar with the two tracks included, (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais and The Guns of Brixton (the latter I know more about due to the Arcade Fire’s cover). Still, The Clash is great and arguing which Clash songs to choose from, will end nowhere.
Sex Pistols, while I dug the occasional song, my opinion has soured on them. From being manufactured to sounding terrible on live performances and almost creating a riot from their hit God Save The Queen and remaining douchebags for the rest of their life. Still from God Save The Queen to Anarchy in the UK are great songs to enjoy, a lot of it isn’t taken seriously nor as important to what was accomplished by other bands in the punk rock scene. (Yeah, I’m going to take flack for this).
The Ramones are probably my second favorite band on this list. It’s pretty easy to like the Ramones with their poppy songs and the use of power chords creating songs that will forever be rock anthems. The song included is Rockaway beach which Pitchfork writers allude to encompassing everything that makes The Ramones, the Ramones. I definitely agree but one choose a variety of Ramones tracks.
California Sun by The Ramones
The Talking Heads are featured 4 times in the “500″ with Pyscho Killer and Memories Can’t Wait in this era. I actually forget how I know about the Talking Heads, maybe I know more about David Byrne more so the the Heads themselves? I know very little about the Talking Heads and I’m thinking one of the first priorities is to get well acquainted.
Psycho Killer by The Talking Heads
The Cure, I know quite a bit about The Cure and how Nancy secretly (it’s no secret now) loves them since its apparently embarrassing to enjoy The Cure’s 1980s New Wave days. I get a little confused on the actual release day of Three Imaginary Boys and the subsequent re-release as Boys Don’t Cry. It all makes sense when Boy Don’t Cry is rather a mere B-side on this album but is a rather simple but powerful track.
Boys Don’t Cry by The Cure
Joy Division… I’ve been a fan since the inclusion of Love Will Tear Us Apart in Donnie Darko especially a lot of their tracks from Unknown Pleasures. Reading about Ian Curtis’ untimely suicide and with the band becoming the influential New Order, is a difficult one to imagine since Joy Division’s potential was unlimited. Joy Division has influenced some of my favorite bands…
Disorder by Joy Division
1979 was Michael Jackson’s year. With his album Off The Wall, he would light the world on fire (and sometimes himself) and become the person who he is today. I’ll get more into MJ in future features.
There’s a lot I can’t cover due to just taking too long and you should read the book instead as their insight is better. Definitely worth checking out though.
Tags: feature
[...] The Pitchfork 500 Ch1 1977-1979 [...]