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John Devlin | Elgin, SC United States | 09/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I must admit that 2003 has been a surprising year, if only for the excellent new releases by Wire, and now The Buzzcocks - the two best bands to emerge from the 1977 punk explosion in England.Perhaps Buzzcocks fans should have been alerted by Pete Shelley's exceptional duo with original Buzzcocks leader Howard Devoto last year. He even does his own take here of a song from that great CD.But this is most definitely a Buzzcocks release, and it's the best since 1986's "All Set", especially in light of the disappointing "Modern" from 1999. Since returning from oblivion in the early 1990s, Pete and Steve Diggle have taken a Lennon-McCartney approach to their recorded work. They now share equally in the writing, and Steve's work is every bit the equal of Pete's, in terms of quantity and quality."Buzzcocks" is the work where Shelley and Diggle hit peak form together for the first time - Shelley's songs dominated "All Set."Everything you love about the Buzzcocks is here, and it is the best quality recording of all four of their second period efforts.Since reforming the band has been a great live attraction. With "Buzzcocks" they have finally harnessed the power and excitment of their live performances in the studio.A great CD from a great band."

Top-rate Buzzcocks

Brewzerr | On the fault line, CA | 08/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's very rare that a punk band that cranked out flawless albums in the late 70's can still accomplish that same feat in the (whatever we're calling this decade). The Buzzcocks have done exactly that with this self-titled album. This ranks right up there with "Another Music in a Different Kitchen", "Love Bites", and "A Different Kind of Tension". It's just that good.



Every song on here is top-rate Buzzcocks, and the raw yet full production lends a ballsy edge to the well-written material. I saw them live a couple of years prior to the release of this album and they still play with a true passion, and that passion shines through on this album.



MUCH better than the other 2 studio albums they recorded in the 90's."

One more Pyhrric victory

ifutureman | NJ | 01/06/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Buzzcocks had a magnificent 5-year run from 1976-1980 as the ultimate punk band with pop sensibility. Unlike almost of his punk brethren, Pete Shelley (and, to a lesser extent, Steve Diggle) was not afraid to write songs about love. In fact, "I Don't Mind," "You Say You Don't Love Me," "Ever Fallen In Love" and lots of other early Buzzcocks songs feature brilliant, clever lyrics about heartache. The Buzzcocks have always been the darkly romantic punk band.



After a bitter breakup in 1980, the band managed to carry on through the 80's and 90's with the occasional reunion and album ... but none of their work came close to the magic of the first five years. Until 2003, that is.



As if to announce their arrival, this album is self-titled. And the most remarkable thing is, 27 years after the band's earliest recordings, this album has all the excitement and energy of a debut. True, the rhythm section is now two younger guys backing up veterans Shelley and Diggle, but the guitarist/singers haven't lost a step, even in their mid-late-40's.



Hooks abound - songs like "Friends," "Keep On," and "Sick City Sometimes" will stick in your head from the first listen. Overall, the vocals could have been a bit louder in the mix, but the sound is still terrific. A couple of Diggle's tunes do get a bit repetitive, though ("Certain Move" and "Wake Up Call" i.e.). "Lester Sands" was one of the very first songs the band ever wrote - and it really doesn't stand up to the rest of the material on this release.



Although "Buzzcocks" isn't as good as "Another Music ..." it is better than "Love Bites" and just as good as "A Different Kind of Tension." It's the first post-1980 Buzzcocks album worthy of inclusion with their first three.



Four stars for an excellent album. If I could, I'd give it 4 1/2 stars, because Shelley and Diggle deserve extra credit for proving that age doesn't have to slow you down one bit!"