The One Album I Can't Live Without
By Mysterygirl

‘Cut’ by The Slits

I don’t know how to explain this without sounding goofy but here goes…my album is ‘Cut’ by The Slits. I first got into The Slits in about 1996, after hearing them warmly name-checked by Nirvana, Hole and Sonic Youth. I’d been looking for their album for ages (or at least it felt like ages when I was 16!) and finally found it on a trip to London. I busted most of my allowance paying for it and I remember sticking it on when I got home and being totally confused. Most of the music I listened to at that time was in a very white rock/grunge vein so this was something completely different.
I assumed that this album would be really spiky and punky…and it is in its own way but also not at all. The blend of reggae, punk and pop, along with Ari Up’s sometimes bonkers vocals, was just so refreshing to my young ears! This album is equal parts alienation, loneliness, joy, mischief, and self-belief. It’s so contrary and yet makes perfect sense. Songs about shoplifting, boys, refusing to conform to society’s stereotypes, going out and causing trouble – it’s a very shambolic affair and the band sound like they are having so much fun! But alongside these brazen declarations of doing whatever the hell they want, there is a dark under-current. Songs like ‘Spend, Spend, Spend’ and ‘FM’ deal with depression, disenchantment, isolation, feeling misunderstood, city-life surrounded by people but being alone. The lyrics oscillate between despair (‘I want to satisfy that empty feeling!’) to a big fuck-you laced with cheeky humour (‘Call you every day on the telephone/break your neck when you ain’t home!’).
Basically this album is perfect for when you are feeling blue because it can either commiserate or cheer you up. But I have never been in a bad mood by the time ‘Adventures Close To Home’ comes to a close though! If you’re already in a good mood it’s great to jump around and shout along to! When I find myself staring at my CDs and wondering what the hell to listen to and I see ‘Cut’, it’s like a revelation every time…even after ten years.

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Well, it was no Goodburger.

Ooh, great job Mysterygirl! I too love this album and I like how polished it sounds compared to the Peel Sessions or the early live recordings.

Fantastic job.

I heart that album too.

I need to hear more of em.

Thanks guys! I didn't know that my review was gonna be put up so soon so 'twas a bit of a shocker to see it staring at me when i logged on this morning!

I truly love this album...it's like listening to old friends just pissing about and having fun evey time i put it on! <333333

EDIT: Here's a couple of tracks (YSI/wma) in case anyone wants to hear 'em...

Shoplifting

FM

Love Und Romance

Aw! I didn't know it was your favourite album! I love it too.
It's interesting what you said about "depression, disenchantment, isolation, feeling misunderstood, city-life surrounded by people but being alone", because for me it's Raincoats' The Void, that stands for all that. The Raincoats of course took a lot of inspiration from the Slits, especially on their first album. I've been listening to that song over and over again and it really sums up how I feel here in London (on a bad day).