Artist: Angelic Upstarts Album: Teenage Warning

Year: 1979
Duration: 42:06

A Deep Dive into Angelic Upstarts' Teenage Warning Album

If you're a punk rock aficionado or a curious music listener, you must have heard of Angelic Upstarts' Teenage Warning album. Released in 1979, this album became an anthem of the British punk movement, with its raw lyrics, energetic guitar riffs, and politically charged messages. But what makes this album so significant, and how does it hold up today? In this post, we'll take a of Teenage Warning, explore the history of Angelic Upstarts, and highlight the best and most innovative parts of this iconic album.
To understand the context of Teenage Warning, we must first delve into the history of Angelic Upstarts. The band was formed in South Shields, England, in 1977, by lead vocalist Mensi (real name Thomas Mensforth), guitarist Mond Cowie, drummer Decca Wade, and bassist Ronnie Rocker. They started as a pub rock band, but soon gravitated towards punk rock, influenced by bands like The Clash and The Sex Pistols. Angelic Upstarts became known for their working-class lyrics and their support for socialist and anti-fascist causes, which reflected the political climate of the late '70s and early '80s in the UK.
Teenage Warning was Angelic Upstarts' debut album, produced by Sham 69's Jimmy Pursey. The album was recorded in just three days, which adds to its raw and unpolished sound. The album's title track, Teenage Warning, is a classic punk anthem, with its catchy chorus, provocative lyrics (I don't wanna be like you), and fast-paced rhythm. The album also includes other standout tracks such as I'm An Upstart, The Murder Of Liddle Towers, and Last Night Another Soldier.
What makes Teenage Warning such an innovative album is the way it combines punk rock with reggae, ska, and other genres. For instance, the song Police Oppression has a reggae beat that contrasts with its hard-hitting lyrics about police brutality and racism. Likewise, The Young Ones starts with a ska rhythm and has a melodic chorus that softens the song's message about the hopelessness of young people in society. This fusion of different musical styles is what makes Teenage Warning a timeless album that still resonates with listeners today.
However, Teenage Warning is not without its criticisms. Some music critics argue that the album is too simplistic and lacks depth in its political messages. Others point out that the album's production quality could have been better, with some tracks sounding like demos rather than finished songs. Nevertheless, Teenage Warning remains a staple of punk rock and an important milestone in the history of British music.
In conclusion, Angelic Upstarts' Teenage Warning album is a must-listen for any punk rock fan or music lover who wants to understand the roots of the punk movement in the UK. This album captures the frustration, anger, and rebellious spirit of young people in the late '70s and early '80s, and its messages about social inequality and political activism are still relevant today. Although Teenage Warning may not be a perfect album, it has earned its place in music history as a groundbreaking work that paved the way for future punk rock bands.