Released 1979 Buy
(1979) Off White
(1979) Producer James Chance | Recorded 1978 Release date 1979 Label ZE Records | |
Length 30:08
39:47 (Bonus tracks) Artist James Chance and the Contortions Genres No wave, Jazz, Post-punk, Punk jazz Similar Off White, No New York, Irresistible Impulse, DNA on DNA, Press Color | ||
Contortions buy full album
Buy is the debut studio album by American no wave band James Chance and the Contortions. It was released in 1979 through ZE Records.
Contents
James chance the contortions buy
Critical reception
All About Jazz critic Trevor MacLaren wrote: "Through the anger and aggression Chance made a solid record that had a sound like nothing before or since," describing the album as "a great disc that sounds as original and cutting edge as when it was released." Dean McFarlane of Allmusic stated: "His hybrid of free jazz sax blowing and agitated funk takes the contortions up a notch from the four tracks the band contributed to the Eno-produced No New York compilation." Music critic Robert Christgau stated: "Bohemias are always beset by ambitious neurotics who hawk their obnoxious afflictions as if they're the future of the species, which is why in theory James White's music is better without the words: you get the jagged rhythms and tonic off-harmonies without being distracted by his 'ideas.'" He also further added: "But in fact the music is so (deliberately) stunted it needs a voice for sonic muscle, and James's lyrics do have a certain petty honesty and jerk-off humor."
Track listing
All tracks written by James Chance.
Personnel
Songs
1Design to Kill2:50
2My Infatuation2:19
3I Don't Want to Be Happy3:25