Newtown Neurotics

Beggars Can Be Choosers (1983)

Brandon Sideleau

The Newtown Neurotics were an English punk rock group from the 80's, with heavy influences from the Ramones. I first discovered the Neurotics while watching a Black Flag DVD, Rollins dedicated "I Can't Decide" to them and called them a "fucking great band". This was footage from 1984, a year after the album I am reviewing.

Imagine mixing the Ramones, the Clash and the Beatles and you'd get a sound somewhat similar to these guys. Their lyrics deal primarily with political social issues, but trading angry, crude punk rock vocals in exchange for a deeply melodic singer somewhat similar to Joe Strummer, with a bit of Morrison mixed in. It's amazing to me why this band didn't get more attention, some of these songs are instant classics in my opinion. My personal favorite "No Respect" is about how many men dehumanize women and basically view them as subhuman, coming to the onclusion that these men are, to quote the lyrics, "Afriad of the opposite sex." Other excellent songs include "Living With Unemployment", a upbeat punk rocker about the shitty economic situation in England at the time. With great lyrics like "they always try to blame it on the blacks, but it's really those in power who stab you in the back." Another excellent track is "Get Up And Fight", an exciting song about political corruption.

Overall I feel this album is an excellent punk rock classic that was widely overlooked. I don't know much about the band other than this album and what little I could find online, but you should definitely check this out……even if it is 20 years old, chances are YOU'VE never heard it! So what makes it old?!