The Slits - Cut

Imagine you’re in a rock group and, before you start singing, you have to ask someone to tune up your guitar for you. Not a promising start? Try doing it in 1977, on stage during the inaugural show of The Clash’s White Riot tour. The guitarist belonged to The Slits and that “someone” was The Clash’s Mick Jones. It was typical of the group: lots of raw talent, lots of enthusiasm – no skill. But that was true punk, and it was brilliant; as is this album, which lapses into reggae rhythm and forging satire without losing its passion. The likes of Ping Pong Affair and Spend, Spend, Spend say more about love and shopping in single songs than many do in an entire career.