EXPLOITED:
Complete Punk Single Collection: CD
Sure, their lyrics have occasionally not been the best and some serious questions about Wattie’s politics have plagued the band since the early ‘80s, especially on the subject of race relations, but I gotta say that old Exploited tunes are a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. They just sounded so mean during their prime: all speed, gut-level malevolence, and outrage. Tunes like “Dead Cities” and “Rival Leaders” still make me a little nutty, I gotta admit. This is chock full o’ singles and comp tracks and assorted “rarities,” including “Army Life,” “YOP,” “Class War,” “Fuck the Mods,” “Computers Don’t Blunder” and more. If you’ve never heard ’em before, this is as good a place as any to start out, followed by their first four albums. After that, though, you’re on your own, kid. –Jimmy Alvarado (Captain Oi)