Singles Going Steady was a singles compilation constructed to introduce the Buzzcocks to the American public in advance of their first tour, which later became a popular import back at home in the UK. Collecting the group’s 8 singles released from 1977-1979 on United Artists Records, it’s difficult to come up with a more essential compilation from this era. All of the tracks were early productions by Martin Rushent, who began his production career with guitar groups like The Stranglers, later working with synth pop groups such as The Human League and Altered Images. The disc includes indelible pop-punk earworms such as “Orgasm Addict”, “What Do I Get?” “Ever Fallen In Love?” and “Love You More” (…and more) on the A side, with their original B-sides in sequence on the flip. This reissue was half-speed mastered and features audio lovingly sourced from the original masters for the first time in decades. Includes a 12x12 booklet with an essay by Clinton Heylin and images of the original 7” sleeves. Highly recommended.

• black vinyl pressing
  
• half-speed remastered from the original tapes
• includes 12x12" booklet
• digital download included
• music label: Domino 2019

reviewed by Stiff Kitten 06/2019