Top 10 Punk Albums Oct 13 '01    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet The Bottom Line Well, I have finally gotten around to writing this and I hope it isn't a waste of your time: I have read through a few of the other responses and noticed quite a few hardcore albums... Black Flag, Minor Threat, etc., etc... Well, I would say that I'm not a real hard-core guy, and so if you like screaming this may not be the review for you. Furthermore, I don't really dig the current punk scene and I think a lot of what's being put out now is laughable in comparison to basically all older stuff. Bands like 98 Mute don't cut it for me. Well... now that I've probably discouraged 83.76 percent of the people that are reading this, without further ado, my top 10 punk albums of all time... 10. Dude Ranch by Blink-182 Yes, yes... go ahead and laugh. Today Blink-182 has basically alienated anyone who has half-way decent musical taste, and many people are unaware that in their younger days Blink toured with bands like NOFX and Pennywise. Although Blink-182 never really sang about politics and kept their lyrics to love, their talent as composers is without a doubt the best of any 90s punk band. Furthermore, their lyrics sing about things that teens can relate to, and although they are not brilliantly witty or political like the DKs, their lyrics are clever and catchy. The one emo album really worth having. 9. The Offspring by The Offspring Another band that I have recieved much scrutiny for being a fan of. However, any proponent of this currently commercialized band would tell you that in their younger days this band was absolutely incredible in all aspects of music, and, despite their free verse-ness, their political lyrics are insightful and thought-provoking. This is their debut album and, while you may not want anyone to see you with an Offspring album because of Pretty Fly For a White Guy, this album is worth the time you will have to take to explain your owning it to anyone who criticizes you for it. 8. Frankenchrist by The Dead Kennedys Although this album is basically spoken word and, for some, too weird to even enjoy, Jello Biafra's brilliance as a lyricist and a song writer really shine through on this album. Although it is certainly not near the calliber as Fresh Fruit, this album is definetly worth your 15 bucks. 7. Zen Arcade by Husker Du WOW. What an incredible album. These guys were just like any other American Hard-core punk band, except way more talented. These guys really knew music. Furthermore, the range of songs on this album (from Hare Krishna, a really bizarre hard-core song, to Never Talking to You Again, a simple acoustic rock song) is truly remarkable. The one hard-core album I own that I REALLY like. 6. Nobody's Heroes by The Stiff Little Fingers The Stiff Little Fingers weren't exactly musical visionaries and I couldn't honestly tell you that they were really talented musicians, but on this, their first 10-song LP, every song is catchy, fun, and really great punk rock. They were heavily influencial on Greenday except that their singer yells as opposed to Billy Joe Anderson who sings. Plus, the Stiff Little Fingers are more political and much, MUCH better than Greenday could ever hope to be. 5. Singles Going Steady by The Buzzcocks I bought this album under recommendation only even though I had never heard the Buzzcocks, which is something that I do not normally do. This album is pretty light, and not really that three-chord punk that I was expecting and after my first listen I was actually dissapointed. But about a week later I played it again and realized that it was REALLY GOOD MUSIC. The Buzzcocks are basically a mixture of the Beatles and The Ramones, sometimes not-so-punk and sometimes very punk. If you want a simple three-chord album, this is not the band for you, but if you want great music, this is about as good as it gets. 4. The Ramones by The Ramones The Ramones weren't dubbed the grand-fathers of punk for nothing. This album is music in it's simplest form. Each cut is fast, head banging, true punk. They never take themselves too seriously, but always deliever, and on this debut album, The Ramones REALLY deliver. 3. Nevermind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols The essential punk album. What list would be complete with out it? This album is the only reason punk ever developed into a real genre and not always considered "new-age." Although every song does sort of sound the same, every song is good. You can't lose! The definitive punk album of all time. 2. London Calling by The Clash AHHH! What an incredible album!!!! This band was too sophisticated for three-chord-Ramones-influenced-punk. And, on this album, unlike their self-titled, YOU CAN ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND THE LYRICS. Great music, clever lyrics, and the only album I own that my parents have also liked. AND NOW, THE MOMENT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR... 1. Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables by The Dead Kennedys I had no trouble deciding on what my number one would be. This album is far and away better than any other punk album. Jello Biafra is absolutely brilliant. A genius musical artist. His lyrics are sarcastic, cynical, hilarious, and really insightful. Unlike The Ramones or The Sex Pistols, every chord progression is creative and original. Really innovative. In addition, Biafra is the best punk singer ever, no contest. WHAT A GREAT ALBUM!!!

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