Various Artists - That Summer! Official Soundtrack

That Summer! is a seminal 1979 punk and new wave compilation album that serves as the official soundtrack to the British drama film of the same name. Released by Arista Records, the record achieved iconic status not just for its music, but for its striking aesthetic, as the original pressing was manufactured on vibrant yellow vinyl. The compilation acts as a definitive time capsule of the late-1970s youth culture boom, perfectly mirroring the high-energy, rebellious spirit of the UK's evolving music scene during that era.

The track listing reads like a definitive directory of punk, power pop, and new wave royalty. It features legendary contributions from trailblazing artists such as The Ramones, Elvis Costello, The Patti Smith Group, and Ian Dury & The Blockheads, alongside quintessential tracks from The Boomtown Rats and The Undertones. By blending these diverse, fast-paced anthems, the album successfully captured the raw, electric atmosphere of the subcultures defining British youth at the turn of the decade.

The 1979 soundtrack album That Summer! is arguably one of the greatest new wave and punk samplers ever compiled, delivering a relentless burst of late-70s energy from start to finish. Originally released by Arista Records as a tie-in for the British drama film starring Ray Winstone, this 16-track collection bypasses standard movie score filler in favour of pure subcultural muscle. For contemporary listeners, the record serves as a flawless time capsule, capturing a transitional British youth scene where raw punk rock was rapidly evolving into polished power pop and sharp new wave hooks.

The track selection is exceptionally curated, boasting a heavy hit-to-skip ratio that effortlessly justifies its legendary status among vinyl collectors. From the opening punch of Ian Dury and the Blockheads' Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll to the immortal guitar chime of The Undertones' Teenage Kicks, Side One moves at a blistering, joyful pace. Minor inclusions from lesser-known acts like Glasgow’s Zones with New Life do not drag the momentum down; instead, they add a rich layer of authentic subgenre texture alongside staples from established heavyweights like Elvis Costello, Wreckless Eric, and Mink DeVille.

What truly elevates That Summer! above generic studio compilations is how it bridges transatlantic sounds to frame a unified musical movement. By dropping iconic American anthems like the Ramones' Rockaway Beach, the Patti Smith Group’s Because the Night, and Richard Hell & The Voidoids' Blank Generation directly alongside the UK's pub rock and punk elite, the album highlights a shared sonic rebellion. These tracks feel inherently sunny yet distinctly gritty, perfectly evoking a nostalgic, windows-down summer atmosphere that remains addictive to listen to decades after its release.

Ultimately, the album outshines the film it was pressed to promote, surviving as a masterclass in soundtrack curation. While the original British movie faded into relative obscurity for years, this spectacular gatefold LP—originally pressed on vibrant translucent yellow vinyl—became a highly prized physical artifact. It is a rare compilation that requires absolutely zero skip forward buttons, earning its place on the shelf of any serious vinyl enthusiast or historian of alternative music.

Ripped to MP3

Side One: Features tracks from Ian Dury & The Blockheads (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll), Mink DeVille, Elvis Costello, The Boomtown Rats, Zones, The Only Ones, Wreckless Eric, and The Patti Smith Group.

Side Two: Includes performances by The Boomtown Rats, The Ramones, The Undertones, Eddie & The Hot Rods, Ian Dury & The Blockheads, Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, and Richard Hell & The Voidoids.