Buzzcocks Albums Ranked

Buzzcocks are an English punk rock band formed in Bolton, England in 1976 by singer-songwriter-guitarist Pete Shelley and singer-songwriter Howard Devoto. They are regarded as a seminal influence on the Manchester music scene, the independent record label movement, punk rock, power pop, and pop-punk. They achieved commercial success with singles that fused pop craftsmanship with rapid-fire punk energy. These singles were collected on Singles Going Steady, described by critic Ned Raggett as a “punk masterpiece”. Devoto and Shelley chose the name “Buzzcocks” after reading the headline, “It’s the Buzz, Cock!”, in a review of the TV series Rock Follies in Time Out magazine. The “buzz” is the excitement of playing on stage; “cock” is northern English slang meaning “friend”. They thought it captured the excitement of the nascent punk scene, as well as having humorous sexual connotations following Peter Shelley’s time working in a Bolton adult shop. Per the band, there is no “the” in Buzzcocks. Devoto left the band in 1977, after which Pete Shelley became the principal singer-songwriter. Shelley died on 6 December 2018, but the band has remained active with guitarist and co-founding member Steve Diggle assuming lead vocal duties. They are currently performing with new guitarist Mani Perazzoli. Here are all Buzzcocks albums ranked.

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9. The Way (2014)

“It’s great, easily as good as their last one and not too far adrift of their best material. Song writing duties are evenly split between Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle and, whilst they have different styles, it all holds together really well. Buzzcocks seem to keep improving with age so if you ever liked any of their material, you are bound to enjoy this.”

8. Buzzcocks (2003)

“In my opinion this is the best album they made since they reformed, and will go head to head with any of their classics. Not a bad song in the bunch. Usually “veteran” (meaning aging, like me) punkers either produce juvenile-sounding stuff that sounds contrived or they make a poor attempt at former glory but not the case here. Check out “Lester Sands” from Devoto days or “Stars” from a Shelley/Devoto collaboration for an example of the punch they still have. Diggle’s contributions are equally fine. Just my opinion here: If you are a long-term fan of Buzzcocks I don’t see anyone being disappointed in this fine blast of energetic guitar crunch from some very seasoned veterans that know how to do it.”

7. All Set (1996)

“Buzzcocks? hard snotty sex pistols like a band? no, and far from it. You’d think that buzzcocks would be the exact opposite of what they really are, a melodic band. While this might not be there most melodic cd it is one of the best. Almost every song is a great song, even the ones that aren’t so melodic. Hold me close is a true classic if feels so heartfelt and captivates the listener. A must buy cd.”

6. Trade Test Transmissions (1993)

“The Buzzcocks are no nostalgia act. This is, by any standards, a great album of accomplished punk-fuelled pop, by a band most had written off as a casualty of the early-80s meltdown that vaporized the Clash, the Jam and the Sex Pistols. Great songwriting by both acknowledged maestro Pete Shelley and a startlingly mature and soulful Steve Diggle makes Trade Test Transmissions an utter joy from start to finish. New members Tony Barber (bass) and Phil Barker (drums) add a propulsive groove to the Buzzcocks’ punk drive, picking up right where former counterparts Steve Garvey and John Maher left off. Looking forward to a lot more from the four talented individuals who make up this truly important and exciting band.”

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5. Flat‐Pack Philosophy (2006)

“It’s a great album. Pete’s voice has dropped an octave or two since his younger days, but he is still in fine voice and still sounds deleriously camp!”

4. Another Music in a Different Kitchen (1978)

“Forget about lofty (and quite often pitifully naive) proclamations about the state of the world; what Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle wrote about were very personal issues; i.e. why doesn’t that girl (or guy; the “you” Shelley often sings to is rarely gender specific) like me? Why can’t I have what everyone else seems to get? Why are my hormones ruling my life? Lines like “I don’t know if I’m an actor or ham, a shaman or sham” make clear that the Buzzcocks were not interested in wrestling with issues beyond those that every human being faces deep inside. And that’s why this music is timeless. The identity/sex drive/relationship issues that dominate their work are relevant today and always will be.”

3. Modern (1999)

“This is an underrated album that is pretty much full of clever pop songs. Steve Diggle in particular is in good writing form on this album.”

2.Love Bites (1978)

“The songs on Love Bites run the gamut from acoustic numbers to their trademark 60’s pop influenced punk rock, even throwing in a few instrumental jams to round everything out. This is one of those albums I could listen to all the way through without skipping a single track. That being said, my personal favorites would be the wonderfully emotional romp of “Sixteen Again”, the wistful “Nostalgia”, the exuberant “Just Lust”, the creative and highly melodic “ESP”, and of course, the hit single “Ever Fallen In Love”. Thematically speaking, not much has changed from AMIADK. They are still writing songs about unrequited love, personal relationships, and introspective musings.”

1. A Different Kind of Tension (1979)

“This is my favorite album from the Buzzcocks. Songs like “I Believe” and “Why can’t I Touch it” prove that punk rock songs can last more than 2 minutes. CD 1 is the original release plus 4 associated singles, and on CD 2 you will find more singles, demo tracks and a few Peel recordings. The demo tracks tend to be just that, demo tracks and while some of them are OK, they don’t contribute to the overall listening experience. It was interested to hear the demo tracks though, as it gives you a sense as to how a song starts off and is developed by the artist into the final album version. I also recommend Love Bites and Another Music in a Different Kitchen by The Buzzcocks.”