The Vibrators - Pure Mania

Coming on the first wave of British punk rock, this combo came to light originally from their work with Chris

Spedding and then with this debut album on Epic, which reached the Top 50 in England. Simple but fun punk rock with good melodies and catchy riffs (and some damn fine leads), this is still regarded as a classic of the genre and a version of the group still tours to this day.

Memorable tunes like "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah", "Baby Baby", "You Broke My Heart", "She's Bringing You Down", "Stiff Little Fingers" (named after the band or was the band named after this song?), "I Need a Slave" and the mesmerizingly beautiful (with a racing bassline) "Whips and Furs" are pure punk rock treasures. But the rest are no slouches, either - everything here is pogo-inducing, good time music, before punk took itself too seriously.

I believe that there was some criticism of these cats because of their past as "rock musicians", but I think that they crossed over to punk well and it seems that history agrees, as this record is now considered one of the best punk albums of all time. Fun stuff that every 70's punk rocker should have in their collection!