Search - Penetration :: Penetration

CD Reissue of an LP that was hard to find in '79

Eva Neil | Harrison, TN USA | 11/09/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a CD release for those of you who missed it in 1979 - Penetration put out an excellent LP of demos on one side and live cuts on the second on their own label for their fans who missed the early days. The original title was Race Against Time, and it contained almost all ther tracks listed here. The demos come from 1977-78 when they were just getting started in Newcastle, and the live set is from gigs played December 78 to October 79. They are all great versions of the songs that appeared on their later LPs on Virgin UK. If you think punk rock was just the Sex Pistols and 3 chord thrash, think again - Penetration was at the forefront of the new bands who could play and write great songs. Pauline Murray's voice made them stand out from the crowd, and they were excellent live. Pauline later went on to a solo career after the band split, but it was never quite the same. If you are looking for something fresh with an attitude, this is the CD to buy."

They Shoulda Been A Contender

krimboy | Australia | 06/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When "Moving Targets" was released just as punk and new wave was rolling in to wash away the excesses of bands like Yes and Genesis, it sat uneasily amongst releases by the Clash, Eddie and the Hot Rods, the Sex Pistols etc. On the one hand it clearly shared their DIY ethos and celebration of raw energy but on the other hand it equally clearly wasn't about denying the value of 'everything' that had gone before. In parts almost 'traditional' straight ahead rock, it embraced the new ethos without being defined by it. Perhaps partly as a consequence, Penetration didn't quite make it as harbingers of the new sound that would lay the foundations for the change in direction that came to fruition in the 80's. But, now that the 70's and 80's have both become ancient history, its possible to listen to Moving Targets unencumbered by the influence of passing fashions of the day and so appreciate just how good this 'missing link' between pub rock, punk, and grunge actually is. Tracks like Free Money, and Nostalgia For An Age Yet To Come fire up the hormones and make quibbles about whether or not they're 'really' punk seem silly and self defeating. This is a band that pumped. Who cares whether untrained voices are a good thing or bad a thing - the emotion and power is undeniable and the guitars simply roar. This is exhilerating music that reaffirms the belief that as long as that beat and power can move you you're alive and kicking, no matter how old and decrepit your doctor insists you really are."

SYMPHO MEETS PUNK

JUAN MARTIN GABASTOU | Weston Hills, FL United States | 07/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"THIS IS AN AWESOME ALBUM.THE TWO STYLES DON'T
REALLY GET TO BLEND,IT'S LIKE ONE GUITARRIST IS
TRYING TO DEMONSTRATE THE OTHER HOW WELL
[INDEED] HE CAN PERFORM SIMPHONIC HARMONIES AND PIZZICATOS AND THE OTHER ANSWERS HIM IN
ANGER WITH ONE OF THE RAWEST AND MORE AGGRESSIVE
PUNK ROCK GUITAR PERFORMANCE I'VE EVER HEARD.
THIS IS DOWNRIGHT W-E-I-R-D !!!! BUT I LOVE IT.FOR
THE TRUE 77ers ONLY !!!!!!!"