Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 11/07/1990
Run Time: 38:35
While mostly accurate, dismissing
Never Mind the Bollocks as merely a series of loud, ragged midtempo rockers with a harsh, grating vocalist and not much melody would be a terrible error. Already anthemic songs are rendered positively transcendent by
Johnny Rotten's rabid, foaming delivery. His bitterly sarcastic attacks on pretentious affectation and the very foundations of British society were all carried out in the most confrontational, impolite manner possible. Most imitators of
the Pistols' angry nihilism missed the point: underneath the shock tactics and theatrical negativity were social critiques carefully designed for maximum impact.
Never Mind the Bollocks perfectly articulated the frustration, rage, and dissatisfaction of the British working class with the establishment, a spirit quick to translate itself to strictly
rock & roll terms.
The Pistols paved the way for countless other bands to make similarly rebellious statements, but arguably none were as daring or effective. It's easy to see how the band's roaring energy, overwhelmingly snotty attitude, and
Rotten's furious ranting sparked a musical revolution, and those qualities haven't diminished one bit over time.
Never Mind the Bollocks is simply one of the greatest, most inspiring
rock records of all time.
~Steve Huey, All Music Guide
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