Never Mind The Bollocks

The eternal question has finally been answered: What if the Sex Pistols' Never Mind the Bollocks was recorded in the early '80s with cheap synthesizers and tinny drum machines? This album is the result. "Anarchy in the UK" becomes a revved-up Flock of Seagulls song, "God Save the Queen" sounds like music from a hockey rink, and every song has the same monotonous beat. As for singer Jock McDonald's voice, it sounds less like John Lydon and more like an ale-soaked soccer hooligan. The album should be a one-joke novelty, but it's actually more entertaining than it has any right to be. The bulk of the credit goes to the original songs themselves, which are so well written that they can stand up to any reworking. It doesn't hurt, though, that McDonald approaches this music with an appropriate lack of respect. His cheeky insolence fits the music like a glove and is fully in the Pistols' spirit. Thus, it was only natural that Lydon himself later gave the Bollocks his seal of approval.