Penetration
Moving Targets

Among the many significant bands of the British punk 77 wave, special attention should definitely be given to Penetration, a group founded in 1976 in Durham, being one of the few led by a female leader. And what a leader—a charismatic and energetic Pauline Murray, who at the time was just 18 years old, whose voice was incredibly reminiscent of the great Siouxsie Sioux. She later participated in the "The Invisible Girls" project, followed closely by Robert Blamire (already bassist of Penetration). Guitarist Neale Floyd, keyboardist/guitarist Fred Purser, and drummer Gary Stallman completed the lineup of this band that broke up just 3 years later, in 1979.

Any respectable enthusiast will surely know the punk classic "Don't Dictate" (1977), a flagship of Penetration's discography, now among the most cited and revisited tracks in the imposing British scene. However, this "Moving Targets", debut album of 1978, is not just what one might have expected with this first single released a year earlier (which nonetheless was omitted from the original LP). The captivating voice of versatile Murray (how can you not be won over by that little voice in "Nostalgia", and the screams in "Movement"); there are indeed many excellent insights that this record offers, starting with a great Robert, moving on to various interesting episodes highlighted later within its 51 minutes of duration. The version in my possession, reviewed here, is the 2006 reissue, released by Captain Oi!, identical in artwork and original track order, except that it adds 5 songs to the 11 original ones (4 from the vinyl of the two singles Life's A Gamble, and Firing Squad, with beautiful choruses in both), and of course Don't Dictate.

But when talking about Moving Targets, one must highlight its double (let's even say triple) nature*, and the interesting insights I mentioned: those who expected a completely Punk-oriented concept album-band with the leading single might have been taken by surprise and had to reconsider after listening to this album, which among its many influences, can be seen as a hybrid between punk rock, new wave, and rock*. Compared to other historic bands and UK products of the period, Penetration could also boast a less lo-fi production, a decidedly more professional sound, and some good ideas (just think of the marimba inserts on the rhythmic "Too Many Friends", or the metallic noises and dark/obsessive riffs of the Patti Smith cover "Freemoney"). This is Pauline giving 100% with a dynamic and powerful approach, on the ride "Future Daze" (very peculiar vocal trills in the chorus), the sharp and fast "Money Talks", and the superb "Silent Community" (even Michael Jackson ten years later, in complete general ignorance, would sneak its groove for his hit Smooth Criminal), but she also fared well in more slow and reflective moments, like the beautiful "Reunion", with its bells (where nothing less than an unlikely Hotel California is subtly reminiscent), and in the songs straddling these 2 concepts, such as "Lover Of Outrage" and "Vision", songs that start as semi-ballads, with slow introductions and Pauline in a graceful version, closing in a continuous crescendo with unleashed choruses, particularly the last 30 seconds of Vision—thanks to guitarist and drummer in great shape—are something spectacular. The two will repeat themselves at great levels on "Stone Heroes", with its hammering drum rhythms, and unusual oriental solos.

The mere presence of Don't Dictate (track number 12, the first of the 5 added tracks), in this reissue makes it definitely a valuable item and an undoubtedly appealing product, the song, it goes without saying, is a piece of history worth the entire purchase. An album and a band, which although did not have much resonance (except for this latter), contributed to the British cause and deserves to be remembered on these pages, curious how Moving Targets sounds still incredibly relevant after 33 years!

TRACKLIST

Future Daze | Life’s A Gamble | Lover Of Outrage | Vision | Silent Community | Stone Heroes | Movement | Too Many Friends | Reunion | Nostalgia | Free Money BONUS TRACKS Don’t Dictate | Money Talks | Firing Squad | Never | V.I.P.