Punk bands rarely display the longevity that the Buzzcocks have shown, and when they do, they often become tired caricatures of the bands they started out as. With flat-pack philosophy, the Buzzcocks are proving that not even 30 years of punk rock has managed to slow them down.
Something Old, Something New
The album can easily be divided into two distinct sounds: the Pete Shelley songs and the Steve Diggle songs. The songs written and sung by Pete Shelley have the classic Buzzcocks sound, with hooks you can count on and a solid drum beat. Tracks such as "I Don't Exist" and "Wish I never Loved You" deliver exactly what Buzzcocks fans will be looking for in this album.
The Steve Diggle songs, most notably "Sound of a Gun" and "Between Heaven and Hell" show a distinct departure from their typical sounds. These tracks are harder, darker and more stripped down. While the hooks are still there, they are barely hidden by a harder edge and they are accented by Diggle's voice, which sometimes almost sounds like David Bowie.
The Diggle compositions are the most exciting, refreshing parts of the album. While the Shelley tracks are fun and high-energy, there's not much new to them. They are exactly what you'd expect from a Buzzcocks release. And while the typical sound is good, it's always nice to know that an old dog has a few new tricks tucked away.
