The astonishing musical primitivism of the early Slits. While it was expected of first wave U.K punk bands to boast of 'not being able to play', in reality most of them were competent enough to hold down a steady rhythm & have mastery of the basic chords required to play rock & roll. The Slits were one of the only bands to have genuinely started from a position of musical incompetence, & got by for the first few years on sheer energy & incredible charisma (for anybody who thinks this track is just a dreadful racket, I recommend getting this on C.D & blasting it at high volume, & you'll be blown away by how thrilling & exciting this is).
By the time The Slits got signed, & made their first album ('Cut') in 1979, they had significantly improved as musicians. 'Cut' remains for me THE definitive post-punk album, wonderfully unique, & one of the most inventive albums I've ever heard (forget PIL's 'Metal Box', often held up as the ne plus ultra of post-punk, but in reality is just a self indulgent racket made by three druggies with a cacophonous & paranoid lead singer). The Slits 'Cut' IS the real deal, & still astonishing to listen to almost 40 years after it's release.
There's very few recordings of The Slits in this early 'bashing away without being able to play' period, other than their early John Peel sessions , & a few bootlegs. However, those who can appreciate the extraordinary energy that infuses the early Slits are well advised to seek these out.
