Pure Mania

Bought this back in 1979, on vinyl. great hooks, and lyrics!! Love it!!!!

The Vibrators played punk like an actor plays a part in a movie - but what great actors they were. It's strange how some famous punk banks have aged poorly (I find the Sex Pistols largely unlistenable these days), while other lesser-known bands have withstood the test of time (The Vibrators, The Ruts,...). Perhaps it's because those latter bands had both the attitude and the musical chops. The Vibrators don't take it too seriously - their lyrics are part snarky punk and part knowing wink - but they sure knew how to write a good tune. Personally, I thought their second album, V2, was even better, but good luck finding that these days, so this one is a great place to start. Put on those drainpipe pants and enjoy the ride. And no, it isn't a live album. This is the original recording.

This is one of the first Albums I purchased when I first hit the scene in 1980. I love English punk like The Damned and Sham 69. I will be seeing tem live for the first time Sunday Sept 26th in Milwaukee. My good friend, Art Godoy, will be playing with them on. Enjoy this great sound. Grease Monkey.

This is a great album if you like it young loud and a bit snooty. I've owned this record for almost 30 years now, and to me this is quintessential punk rock. I'm not qure sure where this idea came from that punk had to be political. Goodness knows the Ramones and the Heartbreakers weren't. But let's not get lost on specifics "Into the Future" is as fine an anthem as the Jam's "In the City." And if you want a punk song about being young and being in love, "Petrol" will serve you well, as will "Wrecked on You," and the somewhat softer Sweet, Sweet Heart. Whether intentional or not "You Broke My Heart" completes the song cycle and sends you back to 1977 with a good not to 1965. Go ahead buy the whole album. Sure you haven't heard all the songs, but the band's energy carries the day

Although I've seen reviewers refer to an artist or album as "life changing" often enough that the claim loses impact, at least in the case of "Pure Mania" I can relate. Over 15 years ago I found a well worn promotional copy of this album in my fathers record collection, and moments after dropping the needle onto the first track, I stopped listening to mainstream radio and began a journey of punk rock discovery that continues to this day. If I were to suggest just a few albums to a budding punk enthusiast, "Pure Mania" would be at the very top of that list. Don't be fooled by the (Live) tag on the tracks, they're the same as they are on my vinyl and CD copies of this excellent album.

Do not hesitate to get this, it's the original album. I have no idea what the "(Live)" designation is all about. These versions are the same as my 30 year old LP.

One for a desert island. This album has been underrated for decades and never fails to impress. The Vibrators may never actually have been as good as this album suggests, but nevertheless it's a work of genius. The so-called (Live) tracks are decidedly not live, they are the studio originals, bizarrely mislabelled, so purists need not worry.

Draw a triangle with Punk, Rock, and Pop at the corners. Somewhere in the center is where you will find this Vibrators album. While today's examples (Blink 182, Sum 41, etc) go for laughs in many of their songs, the Vibrators were clearly focused on love gone wrong. No Heart, She's Bringing You Down, You Broke My Heart, Wrecked on You, Bad Time.... I have had this album for years, and was never aware that the tracks listed below were live. I am not sure they are, but if so, are very near to study quality.