Scared to Dance [debut]format: vinyl (US issue - VI 2116) / cd
[album rate: 4,5 / 5] [4,35]
producer: David Batchelor
label: Virgin Records - nationality: Scotland, UK
Track highlights*: A) 1. "The Saints Are Coming" (5 / 5) - 2. "Scared to Dance" (4 / 5) - 3. "Contusion" (4 / 5) - 4. "Into the Valley" (5 / 5) (official video) - 5. "Integral Plot" (4 / 5) - - B) 1. "Sweet Suburbia" (5 / 5) (Peel Session) - 2. "Charles" (4,5 / 5) - 3. "Melancholy Soldiers" (4 / 5) - 5. "Of One Skin" (5 / 5) (live) - 6. "Hope and Glory" - 7**. "T.V. Stars" (4,5 / 5)
*US issue - **Extra track, not listed
Studio album debut by Scottish band Skids is one of my absolute favourite albums of the punk rock era. I never understood why this band wasn't praised until U2 and Green Day decided to make a cover version of "The Saints Are Coming" in 2006. I think, it's one of the best and most original debut albums. Although, it was well-received, Skids is one of the most underrated bands of punk rock history. The album deserves at least the same amount of recognition as the debut by The Clash. The songs are equally as good, or: slightly better - the production is remarkably better and then only fans know of it! Musical composer, lead guitarist, and vocalist Stuart Adamson later on experienced bigger success with the band Big Country but before that he made another two great albums with Skids. The other main front figure is songwriter Richard Jobson on lead vocals, and together with William Simpson on bass, and Thomas Kellichan on drums these four were Skids at this early stage.
Various issues of the album have different track listing, and they are not equally good. I happen to own the first US issue of the album, which I also consider the best version, as it includes great tracks like "Contusion", "Sweet Surburbia", and "T.V. Stars" - three important tracks that somehow don't figure on the original UK release. After the album release, drummer Kellichan left the band and no new member was included, although, Rusty Egan became the band's preferred drummer for a time. I must have played this particular album a zillion times at maximum volume whenever I listened to "Of One Skin" or some of the other amazing tracks from this favourite of mine. The album doesn't figure as my year-best-release but 1979 gave the world three other absolute great albums: Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division, Setting Sons by The Jam, and London Calling by The Clash, and in that exquisite short list of rock's finest you also find Scared to Dance.
Stuart Adamson R.I.P. (1958-2001)
Essential, and highly recommended!
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5, Smash Hits 4,5 / 5 stars ]
