| | |
|
Poly Styrene by John Robb
by John Robb - More articles
Has been read
With her great self-styled image, kooky imaginative wardrobe, brilliant
witty lyrics and powerful presence Poly was the unforgettable frontwoman
from X Ray Spex and one of the iconic faces on the punk scene.
The band may have only been around for about two years but their series
of hit singles have stood the test of time and made Poly a major icon
for generation after generation of young musicians including whole
scenes as diverse as Riot Grrrl and Britpop. Currently a new generation
of young American bands recognise her fiery, inspirational presence and
articulate and clever lyrics like the Yeah Yeahs Yeahs and the Gossip,
Le Tigre and countless others. Poly’s indomitable spirit inspires and
she is a role model for girls who break the mould.
X Ray Spex were one of the key bands in the punk revolution. With their
series of powerful hits that were a combination of fierce riffing,
signature sax breaks and the irrepressible Poly vocals the band sounded
like no other.
That burst of energy would have been enough for most people and for years Poly was off the music scene.
In 2009 she reformed the band for a memorable sold out one off gig at
the Roundhouse and wrote a new song, ‘Code Pink’ for the gig but didn’t
play it live. Luckily a demo of the song was heard by Year Zero records
who persuaded Poly to record a solo album.
Smart move.
 The forward looking ‘Generation Indigo’ sees Poly deal with 2011 with songs about pop culture, clothes, love, war, terrorism.
The songs come complete with lyrics that are still as sharp as they
ever, combining serious subject matter with that off the wall touch that
sees her as easily one of the best lyricists of her generation.
There is humour in songs like ‘I Luv UR Sneakers’ which celebrate shoe
culture and ‘Ghoulish’ which looks beyond the surface of subcultures.
There is pathos in ‘Black Christmas’ whilst the title track celebrates
the idealism of a new generation. Poly turns her eye to the new world of
internet dating on ‘Virtual Boyfriend’, the anti war ‘Code Pink’ and
the anti racism of ‘Colour Blind’ the spiritual yearning of ‘Electric
Blue Monsoon’ which coupled with the commentary on the fast, dirty
modern world of ‘Thrash City’ gives a hint to Poly’s ethereal stance.
There is the classic Poly consumer commentary of ‘Kitsch’ and the result
of her endless watching of the news channels ‘Black Gold’ that sums up
the fucked up greed of the modern world situation in one song.
The album is perfectly produced by Youth who was brought in by the
label. This was a masterstroke, because the Killing Joke man, who has
also produced Crowded House and multi million sellers without losing his
inventive touch somehow seems to manage to understand the punk rock
spirit and how to make a mainstream records at the same time. Youth
makes albums without losing any of the spikiness and raw edges that make
the greatest records but also makes them sound like pop records.
Poly came in with the songs sung into a tape recorder and Youth turned
them into epics. There are all styles here- from reggae infused grooves,
to power pop to neo- X Ray Spex punk rock.
Poly’s voice sounds as youthfully vibrant and innocent as ever- a powerful and thrilling tool.
A fantastic return to form, Poly is about to pull of an unlikely
comeback. Not relying on old tricks this connects with the modern times
both musically and lyrically in a triumphant album.
|
|
| | | |
|
|
|
|
|
