The Raincoats, the Raincoats, 1978, :35
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Another new discovery, this post-punk, punk-folk band seems to have been largely dismissed by punk history, rather unfairly I think. (However, it was rediscovered by grunge grrls in the early 1990s; but I haven't heard of it.) Bursting with energy and startlingly eclectic, the Raincoats incorporate British folk, terrific fast-paced polyrhythmic percussion, a jazzy bass, and brash, at times discordant vocals into punk riffs. There are some unusual sounds as well. Is that a kazoo? With one member from Spain and another from Portugal, it's no surprise that there's some world music influence. It all blends into a glorious, bold, slightly off-kilter declaration of artistic vision. They're kind of like a female Violent Femmes, maybe? Favorite tracks: "No Side To Fall In," a cover of "Lola," "Fairytale in the Supermarket," "No Looking."
