SHAM 69 – “Angles With Dirty Faces” / “The Cockney Kids Are Innocent” (Polydor 2059 023) April 1978
SHAM 69 “Angels With Dirty Faces” – Jimmy Pursey deserves a lot of credit for his obvious charisma and sincerity, but I’m a bit concerned about his ability to actually compose a decent pop chune. This boisterous, rough and ready assault on our consciousness isn’t exactly exploding at the seams with melody.
Frankly, it sounds like last year’s thing or should I say model? (NME)
Let’s analyze this record. Technically, it’s no great shakes. Lyrically, it’s not very original. Musically, it’s at best, basic. But . . . I LIKE IT! Why? Listen to the poem that came with it, from Master Pursey himself,
“OK, you dirty rats
Jimmy Pursey
If you don’t like this masterpiece
You’re just a bunch of prats.”
That’s why. Charm. He has it, this record has it. By the bucketful. Cheek and charm and humour. I’ll take that before genius any old day.
PS. I love the way they’ve changed the words of ‘George Davis is innocent’ to ‘Cockney Kids’. Smart move, BOYS! (Record Mirror)
