The Saints
(I'm) Stranded

THE REVIEW

One of the greatest rock bands ever to emerge from Australian soil, along with "The Birthday Party" and "Radio Birdman", who, following the teachings of the latter, manage to forge the best debut in punk and all rock genres.

Having grown up in sunny and puritan Brisbane, they feel that something important is about to happen in England. As soon as they arrive in London, they are shocked by the local scene and the ferment of bands that are starting to sprout like mushrooms. Aware that the nascent and narrow-minded punk mentality does not tolerate long hair or guitar solos, they throw both in their face.

The album (released in ’77 shortly after that of The Damned) is played with unprecedented iconoclastic fury, overshadowing in sonic violence all the debuts of the period from that of The Damned to that of The Clash, while that of the Sex Pistols, by comparison, seems like a 45 rpm played at 33. The force of the album lies precisely in the fact that it seems to be played against everything and everyone, realizing they will be outsiders for life. The fact remains that songs like "(I’m) Stranded", "Demolition Girl", "Erotic Neurotic" have not lost that charm even 30 years later. There is even room for some ballads like "Story of Love" and "Messin’ with the Kid", disregarding punk dogmas. Then there's "Nights in Venice", a tour de force of nearly six minutes where they come close to touching noise, while "Wild About You" is a cover of fellow Australians "Missing Links".

In essence, an immortal and unrecognized album at the same time.