French

Buzzcocks: Pete Shelley, Steve Diggle, Tony Barber, Philip Barber.Recorded live at L'Arapho Club, Paris, France on April 12, 1995. When the Buzzcocks announced their decision to reunite and tour after an almost 8-year hiatus, fans could be forgiven for exhibiting either a certain skepticism or an overly optimistic attitude. After all, the Buzzcocks were one of the punk revolution's tightest bands, and their short, frenetic bursts of guitar pop and angelic harmonies require a certain level of professionalism to be put across in a live setting. Thankfully, subsequent tours and American shows showcased the Buzzcocks as a tight, lean pop machine. French, a live document from one of these shows, is an excellent souvenir of the band at its best. The album is also an excellent introduction for those nay-sayers who insist that punk doesn't work on the live stage. Whether running through the perfect anguish of "Ever Fallen in Love..." and "What Do I Get?' or the goofily risque "Orgasm Addict," French presents the Buzzcocks as one of the premier live bands of their era. Anyone who doesn't get a lump in his throat during the anthemic "I Believe" has no business listening to music. Some bands age like moldy cheese; the Buzzcocks have aged like fine wine.