X-Ray Spex
(Future Noise/MVD)
This wonderfully packaged 2 disc set (a cd and a DVD of the same gig) was, we are to believe, the first X-Ray Spex gig since 1979 (apparently they reformed In the ‘90s but vocalist Poly Styrene got run over by a fire truck before they could play any gigs). The digipak is bound with a 24-page booklet that has lyrics, photos and some excerpts from Poly's diary in the ‘70s. The performance shows the band playing to a packed, rabid crowd (3000 people) on a night in early September 2008 and they sound great. Poly is no longer the young gal with curly hair and braces, looking now like full-figured mom and quite smashing in the low cut black skirt with see-through sleeves and a glittery toque while the rest of the band broke out the nice duds as well (even the younger, mohawked drummer).
The set begins with, you guessed it, those famous word, "Some people think little girls should be seen and not heard but I think, OH BONDAGE UP YOURS!" Poly's voice doesn't have quite the same young screech it did then but that's ok, it sounds oddly better now (dare I say, mature?) while Mr. Sax is honking including original bassist Paul Dean (sadly, guitarist Jak Airport is no long with us). Up next is" Art-i-ficial", which still has that great stutter step to it. Elsewhere we get to hear the great "Warrior in Woolworths", the classic "I Am a Cliché'", the catchy "I Am a Poseur", their legendary single, "The Day the World Turned day-Glo" and even one new song ("Bloody War"). They come out for one encore, another try at "Oh Bondage Up Yours!" (this time with a few new wavey women helping on vocals) and with that the crowd at the Roundhouse is out into the balmy London night, feeling like they easily got their money's worth by a band they had been waiting three decades to see.
Recommended Tracks: "Oh Bondage Up Yours!", "Art-i-ficial", "I Am a Poseur", "The Day the World Turned Day-Glo" TIM HINELY
