VA - Now That's What I Call an Era, The Sound of The Suburbs 1977-1980 (4 x CDs)

ROCK

VA - Now That's What I Call an Era, The Sound of The Suburbs 1977-1980 [2025] (4 x CDs)

Now That's What I Call an Era: The Sound of The Suburbs 1977-1980 (2025) is a vibrant celebration of British post-punk, new wave, and pub rock, capturing the raw energy of an era defined by rebellion and reinvention. Released by Now Music, this compilation digs into the sounds that shaped suburban youth, where punk’s fire met the sharp wit of new wave and the grit of pub rock.

Expect cornerstone tracks from the likes of The Jam, The Undertones, and The Skids, bands that embodied the restless energy of late-'70s Britain. But what makes this collection particularly intriguing are the rare inclusions, such as early singles from lesser-known acts like The Jags or Tonight, offering a glimpse into the scene’s broader spectrum. The presence of regional punk cuts—perhaps a hidden gem from The Carpettes or The Flys, adds to its appeal, reminding listeners that this era wasn’t just about the headliners but the underground movement pushing against mainstream conventions.

This set is not entirely filled with British artists. The Ramones (USA), Iggy Pop (USA), Blondie (USA), Plastic Bertrand (Belgium), The B-52’s (USA), and Devo (USA) all feature in the set. These artists played a crucial role in shaping the sound of late-'70s alternative music, blending punk energy with new wave experimentation. These artists are acknowledged for their global impact of punk and new wave.

For anyone revisiting the days when suburban angst found expression in jagged guitar riffs and punchy choruses, this collection is an electrifying reminder of why this period mattered. It’s more than nostalgia, it’s a testament to an era where bands were hungry, lyrics were sharp, and everything felt urgent. (B)

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Track lists

CD1

01 Clash - London Calling 3:20

02 Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop 2:12

03 Iggy Pop - Lust for Life (Edit) 3:05

04 Jam - Going Underground 2:53

05 Boomtown Rats - Rat Trap 4:55

06 Undertones - Teenage Kicks 2:25

07 Siouxsie & The Banshees - Hong Kong Garden 2:54

08 Rezillos - Top of the Pops (7'' Version) 3:20

09 Plastic Bertrand - Ca Plane Pour Moi 3:01

10 Squeeze - Cool for Cats (Single Edit) 3:14

11 Cure - Boys Don't Cry 2:36

12 Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart 3:24

13 Dexys Midnight Runners - Geno 3:27

14 Police - Roxanne 3:11

15 Pretenders - Brass in Pocket 3:05

16 Blondie - Atomic 3:48

17 Martha & The Muffins - Echo Beach 3:30

18 Joe Jackson - It's Different for Girls 3:43

19 Roxy Music - Over You 3:23

20 Adam & The Ants - Antmusic 3:36

CD2

01 Members - The Sound of the Suburbs 3:54

02 Stranglers - No More Heroes 3:28

03 Ruts - Babylon's Burning (Single Version) 2:31

04 Ramones - Sheena is a Punk Rocker 2:46

05 Runaways - Cherry Bomb 2:17

06 Generation X - King Rocker 2:17

07 Patti Smith Group - Because the Night 3:22

08 Joe Jackson - Is She Really Going Out with Him? 3:35

09 Elvis Costello & The Attractions - (I Don't Want to Go To) Chelsea 3:10

10 Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers - Roadrunner (Once) 4:43

11 Tom Robinson Band - 2-4-6-8 Motorway 3:17

12 Dr. Feelgood - Milk and Alcohol 2:49

13 Yellow Dog - Just One More Night 3:29

14 Eddie & The Hot Rods - Do Anything You Wanna Do (Single Edit) 4:03

15 Only Ones - Another Girl, Another Planet 3:01

16 Skids - Into the Valley 3:17

17 Magazine - Shot by Both Sides 3:58

18 Vibrators - Automatic Lover (Single Version) 2:26

19 Sham 69 - If the Kids Are United 3:45

20 Dickies - Banana Splits 1:55

CD3

01 Specials - Gangsters 2:47

02 Madness - The Prince 2:29

03 Selecter - On My Radio 3:05

04 Beat - Mirror in The Bathroom 3:07

05 Bad Manners - Special Brew (Single Version) 3:18

06 UB40 - Food for Thought 4:08

07 Clash - (White Man) in Hammersmith Palais 4:01

08 Boomtown Rats - Like Clockwork 3:44

09 Public Image Ltd. - Death Disco 4:15

10 Grace Jones - Love is The Drug (Single Version) 4:41

11 DEVO - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction 2:40

12 Slits - Typical Girls 3:55

13 Regents - 7 Teen 3:22

14 XTC - Making Plans for Nigel 4:12

15 Squeeze - Take Me I'm Yours (Single Edit) 2:48

16 Blondie - Hanging on the Telephone 2:22

17 Pretenders - Stop Your Sobbing 2:38

18 Motors - Airport 4:36

19 Secret Affair - Time for Action 2:42

20 Jags - Back of My Hand 3:20

21 Jam - All Around the World 2:22

CD4

01 B-52's - Rock Lobster 4:54

02 Bow Wow Wow - C30 C60 C90 Go 3:01

03 Adam Ant - Dog Eats Dog 3:09

04 Toyah - Ieya 5:11

05 Siouxsie & The Banshees - Happy House 3:52

06 Hazel O'Connor - Eighty Day 3:11

07 Devo - Whip it 2:39

08 Flying Lizards - Money 2:31

09 Human League - Nightclubbing 2:56

10 Psychedelic Furs - Sister Europe 5:38

11 Joy Division - Atmosphere 4:09

12 John Foxx - Underpass 3:18

13 Gary Numan & Tubeway Army - Are Friend's Electric? 5:22

14 Japan - Life in Tokyo 3:31

15 Orchestral Manoeuvres in The Dark - Messages 4:01

16 Sparks - The Number One Song in Heaven 3:50

17 Ultravox - Sleepwalk 3:12

18 Spandau Ballet - To Cut a Long Story Short 3:20

19 Buggles - Video Killed The Radio Star 3:22

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Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.

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