Cockney Rejects - Greatest Hits Vol. 1

Inspired by the critically reviled working-class punk of Sham 69, football hooligans the Cockney Rejects helped give voice to the punk subgenre tagged Oi!, partly thanks to the group's 1980 song "Oi! Oi! Oi!" The Rejects' sound was loud, brash, and crudely performed, with an irreverent sense of humour and an inclination toward mindless anarchy that made them appealing to frustrated lower-class youth and, unfortunately, the more extreme right-wing racist faction among the growing skinhead movement, an association the group did not encourage but for which it was soundly berated. Vocalist Jefferson Turner, guitarist Mick Geggus, bassist Vince Riordan, and drummer Keith Warrington were discovered in London's East End by Sham 69 singer Jimmy Pursey, who helped the group get a record deal. The Rejects' initial output was voluminous; their first two albums were both released in 1980 and jokingly titled Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2.

Though they didn’t get around to (allegedly) naming the genre of Oi! until their second album, working class Cockney Rejects went a long way towards defining the sound. The raw street punk on the cheekily titled Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 dismisses English punk’s art-schooled class of ‘77 to embrace the everyday Brit thug who downs a pint while watching his favourite team (in the Cockney Rejects’ case, West Ham United). This is what it was all about when you're young and stupid. Could this be one of the best punk rock albums ever? Of course this is stupid loudmouth arrogant football hooligan shit, but then again, who cares? This one was a blueprint for hundreds of apeing "Oi!" bands. Unbeatable.

Stripped from the 1993 CD release to mugged MP3

1.      I'm Not A Fool
2.      Headbanger
3.      Bad Man
4.      Fighting In The Streets
5.      Shitter
6.      Here They Come Again

7.      Join The Rejects
8.      East End
9.      New Song
10.   Police Car
11.   Someone Like You
12.   (They're Gonna) Put Me Away
13.   Are You Ready To Ruck?
14.   Where The Hell Is Babylon?
15.   I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles
16.   West Side Boys
 
Also included are t’ Rejects first two singles Flares 'n Slippers and I’m Not A Fool (thanx’s to OldWeak, But Always A Wanker) in MP3 @320kbps