GBH's debut album, City Baby Attacked By Rats is an important album for the hardcore punk genre. The album remains a standout and is essential in the band's big discography. Even though albums like these aren't known for their diversity; it is the really the only major con. I would recommend picking up or at least give a listen to this if you are a fan of classic punk music, hardcore, even metal or just punk in general. This would also be a good album to start if you are new to the band.
The bands ability to fuse together hardcore, punk, hard rock and even metal made them standout along side bands like The Exploited. They became known as one of the leaders and pioneers of second generation of UK punk, often referred to as UK82 or 'Street Punk'.
The album opener Time Bomb immediately sets the tone of the record. Featuring a blaring guitar riff over the sound of a bomb ticking, the song is very heavy and tells you what you're in for. It compiles all these elements in a minute and a half. The album starts off very strong as the second song Sick Boy lives up to the expectations of the previous one. They do seem very same sounding, however, with the use of the group vocals in the chorus. Gunned Down is one of my favorites here as well one of the most metal sounding. The vocals here are more harsh than usual and the song just seems louder. It has some of the best guitar work here too. Heavy Discipline seems as though it will be a less heavy song with the softer intro, but that all changes about 15 seconds in until the fierce riff comes in along with Colin's abrasive vocals. The title track here is another definite highlight. The assaulting drums over the thunderous and fast guitar riff makes this one complete. The song is played extremely fast and the drums are done exceptionally well. Bellend Bop was the closer on the original recording and almost seems out of place at a whopping five minutes, seeing as no other songs surpass the three minute mark. It has a mini guitar solo intro before the riff comes in. The song is very up tempo and remains that way throughout with only short bass and guitar interludes separating it from one continuous heavy song. Needless to say, it is a fitting end to an excellent album. Now if you have pick up the reissue which is most likely, an extra five tracks of early GBH are included, which is a nice touch but makes the album more expensive. The songs don't vary too different from the previous ones, but are equally well done.--sputnikmusic
Genre: Hardcore/Punk
Year: 1982
Tracklist:
01. Time Bomb
02. Sick Boy
03. Wardogs
04. Slut
05. Maniac
06. Gunned Down
07. I Am The Hunted
08. City Baby Attacked By Rats
09. The Prayer Of A Realist
10. Passenger On The Menu
11. Heavy Discipline
12. Boston Babies
13. Bellend Bop
14. No Survivors
15. Self Destruct
16. Big Women
17. Am I Dead Yet?
18. Slit Your Own Throat
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