The Vibrators
are proof positive that the good don't necessarily always die young. For over a quarter-century, the band has been churning out fierce record after record, and as a result making people half their age look like the foolish amateurs they are. This time around, with
Punk: The Early Years
, the group pays tribute to many of their early contemporaries on the
punk rock
circuit, playing 20 tunes from
the Damned
,
the Undertones
, and several by the godfathers of it all,
the Ramones
. It's interesting to hear
the Vibrators
ferocious takes on each of these
punk
gems, especially on their collaboration with
Wayne Kramer
on
"Sonic Reducer."
But
Vibrators
' fans will certainly enjoy this one, and new-schoolers just getting on-board should take out a pencil and paper; school's definitely in session. ~ Rob Theakston