"The Only Ones were immortalized by the single "Another Girl, Another Planet", but this compilation of the best moments from the band's first two British albums ("The Only Ones" and "Even Serpents Shine") proved they were far more than one hit wonders. Peter Perrett's vocals were saturated with a weird, ...charisma, lacking in neither melody nor emotion even though he sounded like the sulky, pockmarked kid contemplating suicide in the back corner of the classroom. The band behind him was made up of (if you'll excuse the term) professional musicians - stubborn old musos with enough chops and experience to defiantly inject drama and subtlety into the simple three-chord-bamalama of late 70's punk. Consequently - and quite naturally - the Only Ones were exiles of their own era, never fitting in to any flavor-of-the-month scene or hyped sub-genre. In other words: rock & roll."
Power pop fun
C. Chambers | Greensboro, NC USA | 03/29/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I really dig this record for two reasons: it's fun and it's really catchy. The singer kind of sounds like Steve Shelley of the Buzzcocks with nasal cojestion, but it's great. This is one of those records that great to listen to in the car on a warm sunny day with all the windows down. It's a great, catchy, feel good, post punk/power pop album. Highly recommended."
Great band, shame about the selection
Joe Burger | DC | 05/10/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Terrific band - best Heroin music this side of Lou Reed: all of Reed's power, but a lot more bounce. The reviewer who thinks the band is all "Another Girl, Another Planet" should try listening to "Creature of Doom" which is unaccountably not on this collection."
Britpunk with a sort of a glam/pre-punk feel
Ludwig J. Pluralist | Beacon, NY USA | 01/24/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"A great blast of new wave energy is to be found here. Featuring the classic Another Girl, Another Planet, Britain's The Only Ones rocked many rock fans' worlds when they they came to public attention during the late 70s punk explosion. Listning to them, you hear in them a sort of a glam/pre-punk feel, not unlike Lou Reed and the New York Dolls. In fact, I suggest listening to them along with Lou and the Dolls, perhaps on a CD spinner. Their respective sounds are quite complimentary.
Back to the Only Ones; here is what Jim Walsh of Spin says about them: "Live, the band's leopard skin vests, furs, pink top hats, sharkskin smoking jackets, and shades had more in common with glam than punk." Walsh also describes lead singer Peter Perrett's songs as "suggestive, flowery, mystical, debauched," and his voice as "sheated in sorrow, decay, and bliss - nothing short of hypnotic." Ira Robbins of Trouser Press refers to Perrett's "romanticism and artfully decadent stylings."
It's no wonder Peter Perrett and Johnny Thunders hit it off.