The Depressions - "The Depressions" (Barn Records SUPER 2314 105) 1978

What was Chas Chandlers(formerly of the Animals) greatest musical discovery? Jimi Hendrix, i hear you cry?....Wrong!....'twas the Depressions weren't it?.......those b-list punkers from Brighton, masters of the clueless politically incorrect tune, who managed to even out sexist the Stranglers. How did these ex-who fans do this?....nobody knows, just check out the lovely "Screw Ya" and the even more pleasant "Handle With Care". "Screw Ya" is a Cheerful ditty about post classroom mysogenistic sex, and "Handle with care" is a jolly urban folk number about how us poor people have no choice but to mug passers by for a tenner, and rape vunerable women, because its obviously society's fault. One of these middle clas poseurs is now ,- don't laugh,- a Music Teacher(I always wondered why these 'thugs' were so good on their instruments)! They manage to be both offensive to the intelligence and your local conservative club, without even trying too hard.....this is genuine talent, and this is one of my most played punk rock albums ever! I wish i could be this non self-aware. Don't think this was stocked in the Rough Trade shop, which a test we all should pass.
Released on Chas Chandlers Barn imprint, this is a long forgotten classic of band wagon punk from the golden band wagon jumping year of 1978.Think The Stranglers "London Lady" and Eater's "Get Raped" as points of reference for tastelessness and mindless shock poetry.
They would have been big-ish if Chandler hadn't released their worst song ("Living on Dreams") instead of 'Anything' except "Messing With Your Heart"(also a single!) from the album! (now re-upped)

A1_Screw Ya(mp3)

A2_Radio Trash
A3_Don't Want Your Love
A4_Do Something
A5_High Rise Living
A6_Handle With Care (mp3)
A7_Messing With Your Heart
B1_Basement Daze
B2_Family Planning
B3_Chains & Leather
B4_Get Out of This Town
B5_Career Girl
B6_Burning Ambition
B7_Street Attack

Download the whole album here!