The Nightingales, Pigs on Purpose (side A)

When I first heard 1982's Pigs on Purpose, the obvious Gang of Four influences struck me: deadpan vocals, blunt recording techniques (though these are far more primitive than Entertainment!), and impressively frenetic drumming. Having seen several concerts, the band's current incarnation has drawn my attention to the band's roots-y elements, which are present but less manifest on this album. Robert Lloyd's polemic lyrics are impressive, and the obviously cheap recording exaggerates the group's punk roots. The simplistic collage on the cover matches the album perfectly.