# The best punk rock album is... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 14, 2003, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-punk-rock-album-is/161456 "2003-03-14T22:41:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Banger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@Banger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banger)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-punk-rock-album-is/161456/21 "2003-03-15T05:08:33Z")
I have the same dilemma as **Tamerlane**. So many great albums (many of which have been mentioned), only one album to pick. Given no choice but to either abstain (as a punk fan, unthinkable), or choose, I am forced to pick **London Calling** (even though many of the songs on it that make this my choice aren’t really “punk” sounding), with **Never Mind the Bollocks** a close second. I’ll refrain from adding about 50 honorary mentions 😉 ---
**Author:** ![JCorre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3da27b/32.png) [@JCorre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JCorre)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-punk-rock-album-is/161456/22 "2003-03-15T05:11:20Z")
The Longest Line NOFX ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-punk-rock-album-is/161456/23 "2003-03-15T05:19:59Z")
Bad Brains’ self-titled. ---
**Author:** ![gorillacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/dfb087/32.png) [@gorillacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gorillacus)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-punk-rock-album-is/161456/24 "2003-03-15T05:47:44Z")
A great punk rock album MUST be judged subjectively. What matters is the when, the where and the ‘you’. Don’t get tied down by some dogma about what came first, what mattered more, who the ‘real’ punks was. That’s all crap. Sorry, unfocused outburst of pedantic punkness aimed at no body in particular…the great canadian punk …tells you to piss off and then apologizes… LONDON CALLING or nothing!@#@$! (X and the Ramones, the only time the yanks got it right) ---
**Author:** ![crinklebat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dec6dc/32.png) [@crinklebat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crinklebat)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-punk-rock-album-is/161456/25 "2003-03-15T05:48:23Z")
I’ve got to cast another vote for X–but just to be different, I’m going to say _Under the Big Black Sun_. ---
**Author:** ![vl\_mungo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc8723/32.png) [@vl\_mungo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vl_mungo)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-punk-rock-album-is/161456/26 "2003-03-15T06:21:04Z")
So many good albums… so, **gorillacus** as one Can punk to another, how about a great Canadian album? Once again lotsa choices… Mine would be **Wrong** by Nomeansno ---
**Author:** ![Quack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e99b99/32.png) [@Quack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quack)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-punk-rock-album-is/161456/27 "2003-03-15T06:30:11Z")
Operation Ivy’s “Energy” is the best punk album to me. It’s 19 songs of political views and rock-out-with-your-cock-out musical skill. The lyrics are spot on and the instruments, while rough, are perfectly played. The album has a lot of speed to it, a lot of feeling, and a lot of energy (hence the title). ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-punk-rock-album-is/161456/28 "2003-03-15T06:40:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Torgo \* > \*\*Somewhere amongst the Minutemen’s **Double Nickels** , Minor Threat’s **Out of Step** , TSOL’s original **untitled 1981 EP** , Black Flag’s **Jealous Again** and PIL’s **Metal Box** you’ll probably find it. \*\* Throw in Dead Kennedys **Plastic Surgery Disasters** ( Or **Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegtables** , PSD get my nod simply because I heard it first ) and you’ve got it. ---
**Author:** ![gorillacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/dfb087/32.png) [@gorillacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gorillacus)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-punk-rock-album-is/161456/29 "2003-03-15T06:44:33Z")
hey vl\_mungo, an embarrasment of riches innit? Gonna have to say DOA. Which album…dunno. War on 45…only because I’ve been listening to it lately… …times being what they are… ---
**Author:** ![Foolonthehill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Foolonthehill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foolonthehill)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-punk-rock-album-is/161456/30 "2003-03-15T06:49:17Z")
NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS Do you really think anything else ccounts? ---
**Author:** ![Quack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e99b99/32.png) [@Quack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quack)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-punk-rock-album-is/161456/31 "2003-03-15T06:50:28Z")
Nevermind the Bollocks may have been a revolutionary record, but musically, it’s not really all that exciting. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-punk-rock-album-is/161456/32 "2003-03-15T07:15:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gorillacus \* > \*\*hey vl\_mungo, an embarrasment of riches innit? > Gonna have to say DOA. Which album…dunno. > > War on 45…only because I’ve been listening to it lately… > > …times being what they are… \*\* I love that albumn. The DOA version of WAR is by far the best one I’ve ever heard from the original Edwin Starr to Bruce Springsteen. But damn which DOA would be the best? Anyone remember the canadian Subhumans (and the English Subhumans From The Cradle to the Grave is a top 10 pick). ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-punk-rock-album-is/161456/33 "2003-03-15T07:25:45Z")
Never got deep deep deep into punk, but… “Energy,” Operation Ivy “Damaged,” Black Flag “In God We Trust / Plastic Surgery Disasters,” Dead Kennedys The first 2 Ramones albums. Sex Pistols stink, and I never understood the cult of The Clash… hrh ---
**Author:** ![vl\_mungo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc8723/32.png) [@vl\_mungo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vl_mungo)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-punk-rock-album-is/161456/34 "2003-03-15T10:26:54Z")
As for DOA… ya got to give a listen to **Something Better Change**. BTW “Fuck You” by the Canadian Subhumans (of an EP) is one of the best punk songs ever. Gerry Hannah, the guy who wrote that song, got jailed for bombing a Cruise Missile factory (I think) back in the '80’s (google “Squamish Five” for more info). Thanks to all of you… I was hoping to get some recomendations… Keep em coming. ---
**Author:** ![vl\_mungo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc8723/32.png) [@vl\_mungo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vl_mungo)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-punk-rock-album-is/161456/35 "2003-03-15T10:34:28Z")
As for DOA… ya got to give a listen to **Something Better Change**. BTW “Fuck You” by the Canadian Subhumans (off an S/T EP) is one of the best punk songs ever. Gerry Hannah, the guy who wrote that song, got jailed for bombing a Cruise Missile factory back in the '80’s (google “Squamish Five” for more info). Thanks to all of you… I was hoping to get some recomendations… Keep em coming. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-punk-rock-album-is/161456/36 "2003-03-15T11:16:33Z")
I’m gonna play fast and loose with the definition of punk rock, but here’s a few of my votegetters, in no particular order: The Clash - Give 'em Enough Rope The Ramones - Leave Home The Jam - In the City The Dead Boys - Young, Loud and Snotty X - Wild Gift The Buzzcocks - Singles Going Steady (I know, comp.) ---
**Author:** ![Purd\_Werfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-punk-rock-album-is/161456/37 "2003-03-15T11:46:01Z")
My personal all time fave would have to be the _Metal Circus_ EP by Husker Du. Not as diverse as their later work, but a truly harrowing 20 minutes of razor sharp music. ---
**Author:** ![Dryga\_Yes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@Dryga\_Yes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dryga_Yes)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-punk-rock-album-is/161456/38 "2003-03-15T12:13:35Z")
Mission of Burma - Vs. ---
**Author:** ![Skip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@Skip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skip)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-punk-rock-album-is/161456/39 "2003-03-15T12:21:54Z")
My vote goes to _London Calling_ by The Clash. Every song is quality, not a single dud or filler on that album. ---
**Author:** ![nitroglycerine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@nitroglycerine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nitroglycerine)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-punk-rock-album-is/161456/40 "2003-03-15T12:22:13Z")
I’d have to say the new Avril album. HAHAHAHAHA. Just kidding. I’m gonna cheat and split it into decades… 60s-The Stooges-The Stooges 70s- Hmmm…The Clash? The Pistols? The Ramones? Well yeah, but for sheer originality and influence I’m gonna pick Devo-Q. Are We Not Men A.We Are Devo 80s-Dead Kennedys-Fresh Fruit wins by a landslide. 90s-I wanna say an Electric Frankenstein album, but I think I’m gonna go with Turbonegro-Ass Cobra If I have to pick one…I’ll go with the Stooges first album. Jon [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-punk-rock-album-is/161456.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-punk-rock-album-is/161456.md?page=3)